
Ampal ആമ്പൽ
Genus: Nymphaea
Botanical name: Nymphaea nouchali Burn
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Kumudam, Ulpalam
Hindi: Kanval, Kokka
English: Indian water lily, Red and blue water lily, Blue star water lily, Star lotus, Pygmy Water-lily
Malayalam: Ampal, Aampal
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ampal is a day blooming no viviparous plant with submerged roots and stems. Part of the leaves are submerged, while others rise slightly above the surface. The leaves are round and green on top; they usually have a darker underside. The floating leaves have undulating edges that give them a crenellate appearance. Their size is about 20–23 cm and their spread is 0.9 to 1.8 m.
This water-lily has a beautiful flower which is usually violet blue in color with reddish edges. Some varieties have white, purple, mauve or fuchsia-colored flowers. The flower has 4-5 sepals and 13-15 petals that have an angular appearance making the flower look star-shaped from above. The cup-like calyx has a diameter of 11–14 cm.
The Rhizomes and Flowers of Ampal are used for cardiac debility, dysentery, skin diseases and diarrhea.