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 Botany
Lampakanay is an erect swamp plant reaching up to
2 m high, with rhizomes. Leaves are long, linear and 10 to 12 mm wide. Spikes are exserted, cylindric; the male flowers superposed above the female ones; the female ones when mature are brown, 12 to 20 cm long and up to 2 cm in diameter. Fruits are very minute, with membranous pericarp.
Distribution
- Widely distributed at low altitudes
in low wet places and in shallow or stagnant waters.
- Also used as ornamental in garden ponds.
- Also occurs from Africa and Madagascar to New Guinea.
Parts
utilized
· Whole inflorescence.
Constituents
Study isolated stearic and propanetriol ester, quercetin, naringenin.
Properties
Considered anticoagulant, anti-contusive. anodyne, astringent, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, hemostatic, sedative, styptic, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Uses
Culinary
• Edible:
roots, leaves, flowers, stems.
Folkloric
· Hematomas: Mix 9 gms of the
dried material with 4 gms gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), in one
cup of baby's urine (suckling). Boil to decoction and drink.
· Wooly soft Inflorescence is hemostatic, used for dressing ulcers and wound healing.
· For herpes labialis, cheilosis, swelling of the tongue: apply
powdered preparation on lesions.
· For dysmenorrhea, post-delivery pain: grind to powder 3 to
9 gms of dried pollen preparation and drink with warm water or wine.
· Pollen used for kidney stones, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine
bleeding, abscesses.
· Used for tapeworms, diarrhea, dysentery.
· Root infusion used for gravel.
· In Chile and Argentina, used in folk remedies for tumors.
· American indians
reported to use jelly from young leaves for wounds and skin problems.
Used for wound dressing. Rhizomes used as salve for wounds. Smoke from
burning of flower heads repel insects.(Source)
• Tea of roots and leaves used for stomach cramps.
• In India used as refrigerant, aphrodisiac and cure for dysuria.
• In Chinese medicine,
used for angina, brain clots, high lipids, difficult urination, chronic
colitis, hemorrhoids, boils, rash in infants. (Source)
Also, used in treatment of hypermenorrhea. (Source) Also, used as astrigent for dysentery and for hemorrhage of the bowels.
Others
• Elsewhere, stems and leaves
used in making paper, woven into mats, hats.
• Source of biomass, compost heap, or fuel.
• Pollen highly inflammable and used in making fireworks.
• Extensive root system makes it ideal for stabilizing wet banks of rivers and lakes.
 Studies
• Immunosuppressive
Effect: Immunosuppressive activity of Pollen Typhae
ethanol extract on the immune responses in mice. Study showed
ethanol extract could suppress humoral and cellular response in mice.
• Cholesterol Lowering Effect:
Five aliphatic compounds were isolated from the pollen
of TA. Compound IV showed significant lowering of serum cholesterol.
• Cerebrosides
/ Vascular Smooth Muscle Effect: Study yielded two new
cerebrosides from the pollen of Typha angustifolia, both exhibiting
effect on the proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells
induced by fatal bovine serum.
• Processing
Effects on Flavonoids and Polysaccharides: Study showed
processing temperature, yellow wine and vinegar affected the chemical
constituents, influencing flavonoids and polysaccharides in different
degrees.
• Allergenic
Potential : TA has been reported to be the fourth most
common airborne pollen in Thailand. In a study of 513 patients, 68.42%
showed a positive allergenic reaction to TA extract; however, less than
the four other tested extracts.
• Wastewater Treatment: Study showed narrow-leaved cattails can treat wastewater.
• Nonacosanetriols / Anti-Platelet Aggregation: Study yielded two new nonacosanetriols from the pollen of TA, which exhibited weak anti-platelet aggregation in vitro.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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