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Water Hyacinth (Jalakhumbhi / Lilac Devil)
Eichhornia crassipes
ବିଳାତି ଝାଞ୍ଜି (Bilati Jhanji)जलकुंभी (Jalkumbhi)Jalakhumbhi
- Family
- Pontederiaceae
- Origin
- Amazon basin South America
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Habitat
- Outdoor
About the Plant
Aggressive free-floating bulbous freshwater herb; rosette of glossy ovate-elliptic leaves with inflated spongy petioles, and dense spikes of pale-violet 6-petaled flowers.
Traditional Uses
Skin eruptions, localized edema, and feverish ailments
Parts Used
Leaves, whole plant
Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
- Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
- Virya: Sheeta
- Vipaka: Katu
Health Benefits
- Used externally for localized swellings and goiter
- absorbs heavy metals from wastewater
Precautions
Not recommended for internal human consumption; high oxalate content
Interesting Facts
Considered one of the world's most aggressive invasive aquatic weeds, nicknamed the 'Lilac Devil'