Makhana is an important aquatic crop, This is a native Asian water plant and is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds. Phool makhana is the name given to popped lotus seeds used in Indian cooking. Phool Makhana is a common food item, it is also known as foxnut, makhana or gorgon plant. Basically phool makhana belongs to a family called ‘lilly’. Lillly is a flowering plant, that produces starchy white seeds and those seeds are purely edible. This plant is generally cultivated in low land areas of Indian, china and Japan. It is cultivated in several districts in North Bihar, where it is a main support for livelihood of the poor people. Makhana cultivated water bodies are also utilized along with fish culture. It is a perennial aquatic floating leaved herb, cultivated as a seasonal annual crop, which dies out after the fruits mature. Fox nut plant does not have stem. It has large round leaves and produces bright purple flowers. The whole plant is covered with small thorns (kantaka) .The leaves of fox nut plant have green upper surface and purple shaded lower surface. This plant produces fruits which are about the size of a small orange. Each fruit contains 8-10 seeds which are of pea size.Makhana helps in Cardiac Protection.It helps in building action in dysentery, frequent urination. They are sweet to neutral in nature. They help to detoxify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood. Makhana can be consumed as dry fruit snacks by roasting . The popped seeds of Makhana can be roasted & sprinkled with spices on it which proves a tastier, hygienic and digestive health snacks. Homemade roasted makhana can help kids get rid of the junk chips. The seeds of foxnut are used in ayurvedic preparations. Fox nut alleviates vata and pitta dosha. It strengthens the heart and is very useful in anemia. Makhana increases quality and quantity of semen, prevents premature ejaculation, increases libido and helps in female infertility. It is an important ingredient of herbal preparations used for erectile dysfunction. It strengthens body and increases energy level. Because of its aphrodisiac properties it is grouped under vrishyadi varga. The herbs under this group are used in vajikarana therapy. Makhana is an important aquatic crop, but is still neglected, probably because of lack of awareness among the rural masses in other parts of India than Bihar. In India, there are a lot of fallow wetlands, which remain unutilized round the year. In such case, Makhana cultivation may fetch more revenue to the poor masses. It only requires sincere efforts including dissemination of traditional knowledge as well as awareness to cultivate Makhana a unique food resource.
