Udumbara: The Blue Lotus Plant That’s Life-Affirming: Uses, Benefits, Side-Effects

“When Lord Vishnu manifested himself as Narasimha to protect Prahlada and destroy Hiranyakasyapa, his nails were drenched with poison as he tore the demon’s stomach. As a result, Narasimha’s nails were seething with great heat and pain. Goddess Lakshmi, seeing the suffering of Her Lord, plucked some fruits of the Audumber Tree which she happened to find nearby. The Lord stuck his nails into the fruit deep into its pulp. The Lord’s pain vanished instantly by this. Lord Vishnu was immensely pleased and blessed the Audumbera Tree. He claimed from then onwards that this tree would be as powerful on Earth as the Kalpavriksha tree in heaven. He said that whoever worships the Audumbara Tree, would get all desires and wishes fulfilled. And so, the Audumbara Tree came to be known as a “wish-fulfilling” tree.”

 Fruits Of Udumbara Plant
Fruits Of Udumbara Plant

There’s no doubt that ancient Ayurveda is filled with natural, awe-inspiring secrets. One such secret is a delicate flower which is said to bloom once in 3,000 years! In religious practice, it is also known to mark the arrival of a royal king. Similarly, Buddhist scriptures regard this flower to represent immortality and regard its bloom as the rebirth of Buddha.

If you are intrigued enough, let’s deep-dive to understand the plant we will be exploring today. Whether you know it as Ficus Racemosa (Botanical name), Gular (Hindi name), or Cluster Fig (English name), Udumbura (Sanskrit) literally translates to an auspicious flower. It is also one of the names of Lord Vishnu. It is known to possess a sandalwood-like fragrance making it even more appealing. Native to Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia this plant can also be found throughout India.

Did you know?

Audumbar Plant
Audumbar Plant
  • These white flowers were seen on the head of the Buddha statue at Chonggye-Sa temple in Seoul.
  • The unripe Cluster Fig fruit is used in making pickles, chutneys, curry, etc.
  • The bark can be used as a source of fuel.
  • The tree is considered sacred to God Dattaguru as it known as Kalpataru of Kalyuga and symbolizes good luck.
  • The tree’s dried twigs are used in home-sacrifices.
  • Ancient stories claim that King Harishchandra’s crown and the throne were made of the Audumbar tree’s branch set in gold.

Udumbara’s “Ultra-Powerful” Uses: An Overview

Udumbara Shloka
Udumbara Shloka

The Audumbar tree is a multi-functional, evergreen tree. Its bark is reddish-brown in colour and the plant bears fruits throughout the year, thus giving rise to its nickname “sadaphal.” Its fruit, bark-skin, leaves, and latex are useful providing a variety of health benefits and have great medicinal value. The leaves help treat bilious infections and are used to wash wounds for better cleansing. The bark-skin, when used as a gargle, helps treat stomatitis and sore throat. The fruits help fight constipation and diarrhoea. The bark can cure ulcer, diabetes, dysentery, asthma, leucorrhea, urinary issues etc. The Audumbar plant belongs to the Moraceae family. The plant’s uses range from culinary needs and health benefits to ceremonial rituals and wellness needs. This plant cannot be grown manually making it more precious and rare.

Udumbara’s Physical & Chemical Properties

  • It is astringent in taste.
  • It is heavy and dry in terms of physical characteristics.
  • It has a pungent taste post digestion.
  • It is coolant.
  • It is antitussive, chemo-preventive, anti-diuretic, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antipyretic in nature.

Nutritional Information & Recommended Dosage

  • Powdered form: 3-6 gm
  • Decoction (Kashaya) form: 50-100 ml in divided doses.
  • Latex form: 5-10 drops.

Important: Please consult your doctor before consuming this plant in any form as a precautionary measure and to understand the recommended dose for you based on your medical history, body type, allergies, etc.

Ayurvedic Medicines With Audumbar As The Primary Ingredient

  • Hemnath Ras: It helps treat the issue of recurring urination and diabetes.
  • Nalpamaradi Oil: It is useful in treating eczema and can also be used as baby oil.
  • Marma Gulika: This tablet form of Ayurvedic medicine helps in the treatment of vital organs such as heart, brain, urinary system etc.
  • Nyagrodhadi Churna: It helps in treating UTI and diabetes.
  • Chandanasav: It improves digestion power and bodily strength while acting as a natural heart tonic.
  • Panchavalkadi tailam: This natural skincare oil helps treat skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. It is usually prepared using sesame or coconut oil as a base.

Udumbara / Audumbar Benefits

Udumbura is extremely beneficial in treating heavy menstruation, diabetes, fractured bones, body swelling, among others. Let’s take a detailed look at the diseases it helps counter along with the suggested remedies for the same.

Leucorrhea

Take Udumbara juice and consume 10ml of this juice twice a day. You can add sugar to it if you want.

Mouth Ulcers / Mouth Diseases

For treating ulcers, Acharya Balkrishna suggests that you take 10gm of Gular bark and boil it in 400 ml of water. Add a pinch of Phitkari to this and strain it. Gargle with this solution for immediate relief. Conversely, you can take Udumbara seeds, soak it with milk, and grind it. Use 15gm of this paste on affected areas.

Wounds

It aids in wound cleansing and acts as a disinfectant.

Bodily Swelling / Recurring Acne / Pimples

Take Gular’s bark and make a paste with it. Apply on the swollen/acne-prone areas for relief from pain.

Skin-Related Issues

The leaf buds when applied on the skin as a paste help improve skin tone and complexion. Plus, it can be applied externally to treat wounds and alleviate oedema, pain, and general healing. That’s not all. People having marks due to smallpox or suffering from acne can try this remedy: Take the Gular leaves, notice the small red dot-like seeds and take it out. Make a paste of it with goat’s milk and apply on affected areas. For people who have leftover marks from burnt skin, take Gular’s fruit and make into a paste. Add honey to it and apply on the affected area. Slowly, the marks will disappear. Plus, people suffering from pain and burning in the muscles due to a burn, you can take its leaves and make a paste. Apply on the area for relief. In case of burns, if you apply this paste immediately, you won’t experience any burning sensations further.

Urticaria

People suffering from excessive itching due to urticaria can take the Gular leaves and grind it. Consume 10-15 gm every day for a couple of days.

Urinary Issues

A general recommendation for all kinds of urinary problems is to take 10 drops of Udumbara milk secretion with two spoons of sugar (for added taste). For treating internal wounds, you can take 50gm of Udumbara plant and 1-2gm camphor. Prepare a kadha (decoction) and consume. For people suffering from polyuria, take unripe Udumbara’s fruit powder and mix it in sugar. Consume 7-10 gm of this mixture with milk/water.

Burning Sensation

It relieves the burning sensation due to gastritis, neuropathy, etc.

Excessive Hunger

For adults and children who always feel hungry, take unripe Gular’s fruit. Dry it for a couple of hours in the sunlight. Grind it to a powder and consume 1 teaspoon twice a day along with water.

Post Partum Pregnancy Care

You can consume the Gular fruit. Or you can extract Gular’s milk and take 2-3 drops mixed with batasha and consume. Plus, the juice extracted from the leaves is useful as well.

Fever

It helps treat fever of all kinds.

Suggested Remedy: Take Udumbara root and extract its juice. Consume 9-10 gm of this juice along with sugar twice a day. Conversely, take 10-20 gm of Udumbara bark and boil in 400 ml of water. Strain it and consume 50 ml twice a day.

Piles / Fistula

The suggested remedy for treating piles, take 15 gm of powdered Udumbara and add to 250 gm of curd (prepared from cow milk). Add black salt and consume twice a day. For people suffering from fistula, it is suggested you take some milk secretion of the Udumbara plant and dip cotton in it. Then, apply to affected areas. Continue as necessary.

Gonorrhoea

Take 6 gm of unripe Udumbara fruit powder along with sugar. It is ideal for initial stages of gonorrhoea. Or you can take Gular’s leaves and extract juice out of it. Add honey/mishri to one cup of this solution and drink.

Aphrodisiac

Udumbara is a potent aphrodisiac and enhances sexual wellness.

Suggested remedy: Take powdered Udumbara fruit and Indian Kudzu fruit. Take 6gm of this mixture, add to milk, ghee, and sugar. Consume twice a day.

Hemorrhagic Diathesis

Take 30gm Udumbara bark, make a paste and apply on the affected area. This can also be used for nasal bleeding. Conversely, take unripe Gular fruits and dry it in sunlight. Grind it to a powder and consume 1 teaspoon twice a day for a couple of days.

General Body Weakness

Take unripe Gular fruit and let it dry in the sun for some time. Add bidari kand, white muesli, ashwagandha, and Shatavari to it. Take everything in equal amounts, grind to a powder, add some sugar/mishri to it and consume 1 teaspoon twice a day.

Udumbara’s Side-Effects & Precautionary Measures

  • People suffering from recurrent allergic rhinitis, cold, and cough should consult a doctor before taking it.
  • It can be given to lactating mothers and children.
  • Pregnant women should consult a doctor before consuming it.

 
 

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Udumbara: The Blue Lotus Plant That's Life-Affirming: Uses, Benefits, Side-Effects
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Udumbara, Audumbar, Gular, Cluster Fig, Ficus Racemosa Tree Plant Uses Benefits Remedies Side Effects
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Honeyfur

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