Utpala (Nymphaea stellata / Nymphaea nouchali)

Common Names: Blue Lotus, Indian Water Lily, Utpala, Neelkamal
Sanskrit Synonyms: Utpala, Neelotpala, Kumuda, Indivar, Pundarīka (for white lotus), Jatī, Ambuja
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Part Used: Pushpa (Flower), Mūla (Rhizome), Bīja (Seed)

Ayurvedic Pharmacology (Dravya Guṇa)

• Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter), Kaṣāya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet)

• Guna (Qualities): Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)

• Virya (Potency): Śīta (Cooling)

• Vipāka (Post-digestive effect): Madhura (Sweet)

• Karma (Actions):
  Pittahara (Pacifies Pitta), Dāha-praśamana (Relieves burning), Raktaprasādana (Purifies blood), Jvaraghna (Antipyretic), Tr̥ṣṇā-nāśaka (Quenches thirst), Stambhana (Astringent), Hṛdya (Cardiac tonic), Varnya (Improves complexion), Balya (Restorative), Manonirvāṇa-kāraka (Soothing to mind and senses)

Doshic Action

Pacifies Pitta and Rakta doṣas; mildly calms Vāta due to its cooling and nourishing properties.
Acts primarily on Raktavaha, Manovaha, and Pittavaha srotas — cooling the blood, heart, and nervous system.

Therapeutic Indications

Utpala is a highly revered Śītala dravya mentioned in Charaka Samhita under Śītapradānīya Mahākāśaya.
It brings balance in disorders arising from heat, inflammation, and emotional agitation (Pitta–Rakta dushti).

It is beneficial in:

• Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders, nosebleeds)

• Dāha (Burning sensation, heat disorders)

• Jvara (Pitta-type fevers)

• Kāntihāni (Loss of complexion, fatigue)

• Mano-vikāra (Irritability, restlessness, emotional instability)

• Raktadushti & Kuṣṭha (Skin disorders, acne, rashes)

• Mūtrakricchra (Burning urination, urinary irritation)

• Visha (Toxic conditions, inflammation)

• Kṣaya (Debility, loss of strength)

Used both internally as Sītala Raktaprasādaka dravya and externally in Lepa, Āsava, and Ghṛta preparations.

Pharmacological Insights

Flowers and rhizomes of Nymphaea stellata contain flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, nymphaeine, and alkaloids, conferring antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anxiolytic properties.
Modern studies affirm its cooling, sedative, and blood-purifying effects, validating its classical reputation as a Rakta-Pitta śāmaka and manas-santāpahara (soother of body and mind).

Formulations & Classical Preparations

• Utpala Kaṣāya / Kvātha – For bleeding, burning, and Pitta disorders

• Mahā-Tikta Ghṛta / Sarivādyāsava – For skin and liver diseases

• Utpala Taila – For burning, ulcers, and inflammation

• Chandanāsava / Chandanasava – Contains Utpala for cooling and blood purification

• Utpala Satva – Used in fevers, ulcers, and mental irritability

Anupāna & Dose

• Cūrṇa (Powder): 3–6 g with milk or sugar water

• Kaṣāya (Decoction): 30–50 ml twice daily before meals

• Svarasa (Juice): 10–15 ml with equal water

• Taila (External): Applied on burns, ulcers, and inflamed skin
  (Use under supervision of an Ayurvedic physician.)

Special Note

Utpala is Sāttvika in nature — it calms the manas (mind), enhances sattva, and promotes tranquility.
It is a key ingredient in Ayurvedic preparations for mental balance, skin radiance, and cooling therapies (Śīta-virecana yogas).

Classical References

• Charaka Samhita – Sutra Sthana (Śītapradānīya Mahākāśaya)

• Sushruta Samhita – Sutra Sthana 38 (Vanaushadhi Adhyaya)

• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Pushpādi Varga

• Astanga Hridaya – Chikitsa Sthana (Raktapitta & Jvara Chikitsa)

• Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oshadhi Varga