# Kumuda

> Kumuda (Nymphaea alba) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Nymphaein and nupharidine alkaloids are well-absorbed orally. Ghee-based preparations enhance bioavailability of terpenoid and flavonoid fractions. Aqueous preparations provide rapid absorption of polar glycosides.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Nymphaea alba

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kumuda |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (juice of rhizome), Lepa (paste), [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (medicated ghee), Capsule

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction; 10-20 mL rhizome juice; 5-10 g medicated ghee

**Bioavailability:** Similar to [Kumud](/herb/kumud/) — [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) and [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) show moderate oral bioavailability. Nymphaein and nupharidine alkaloids are well-absorbed orally. Ghee-based preparations enhance bioavailability of terpenoid and flavonoid fractions. Aqueous preparations provide rapid absorption of polar [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides).

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for Pitta-pacifying and cooling effects; [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) preparations: morning and evening; flower infusion: evening for calming effects

**Standardized Extract:** Rhizome extract standardized to minimum 2% total alkaloids; flower extract to minimum 1.5% total [anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) (as cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents)

**Shelf Life:** 18 months for dried powder; 24 months for capsules; 12 months for Ghrita; 6 months for flower preparations (pigment degradation)

**Storage:** Store in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-30°C. Flower-based preparations are particularly photosensitive — amber glass or opaque packaging required. Rhizome powder in moisture-proof containers.

**Marker Compounds:** Nymphaein, Nupharidine, Nupharin, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)-3-O-glucoside, Cyanidin-3-glucoside, Delphinidin, [Myricetin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myricetin), Gallic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Water decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Ghrita Paka (medicated ghee preparation)
- Cold maceration of rhizome
- Shade-drying and powdering of flowers

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Kamala](/herb/kamala/)-Kesara for cooling reproductive health formulations
- [Kumud](/herb/kumud/) for complementary water lily combination
- [Sariva](/herb/sariva/) for Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
- [Priyangu](/herb/priyangu/) for [hemostatic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hemostatic) synergy
- [Chandana](/herb/chandana/) (Sandalwood) for Daha (burning sensation) management

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kumuda/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.