Kumuda
Nymphaea alba
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.
| Botanical name | Nymphaea alba |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. III: KUMUDA (Flower) |
| Also called | Nymphaea stellata Willd. (nomenclatural synonym) Nymphaea pubescens Willd. / Nymphaea lotus L. (reported in the literature) |
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
| Order | Nymphaeales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2882437 · Wikidata Q147030 · NCBI Taxonomy 34301 |
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 (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 — flavonoids and 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.
Optimal Timing: After meals for Pitta-pacifying and cooling effects; 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 (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-3-O-glucoside, Cyanidin-3-glucoside, Delphinidin, 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
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