It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of
various ailments. The botanical name for kachnar is Bauhinia variegata which
belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is considered a beautiful tree in the world.
The common name of this kachnar includes mountain ebony, poor man’s orchid,
butterfly ash, camel’s foot tree, orchid tree. It is an ornamental tree that
attracts hummingbirds.
Latin-
Bauhinia variegate
English-
Buttergy ash
Hindi-
Kachnar
Bengali-
Kachnar
Kannada-
Basavanpada
Malayalam-
Koral, Kanchan
Manipuri-
Chingtharo
Marathi-
Kovidara, Kanchana
Oriya-
Borodu
Tamil-
Manthari
Telugu-
Devakanchanamu
French-Arbe
de saint Thomas
Burmese-
Bwechin
Urdu-
Kachnal
Kachnar is originated from India and China. It is
widely distributed in India at ascending altitude of 1300mt in Himalayan and
extended to Assam, eastern, central, and south India. It is also found in
Nepal, Pakistan, Burma, and Srilanka. It is a deciduous tree that grows at a
height of 15mt. The outer bark is smooth and scaly and it is brownish-grey and
the inner bark is pinkish. The leaves of this plant look like a camel’s hoof
print. Flowers have 5 overlapped and irregular petals with yellow and pinkish-purple
colors. Fruit is strap-shaped with 15-30cm long. This plant has anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic properties.
Parts
used:
Stem bark, Flowers, Leaves, Seeds
Taste:
Astringent
Potency:
Cold
On chemical compound
analysis of the kachnar, it includes
Aerial part: Ombuin,
kaempferol 7,4-dimethyl ether-3-O-β-D-2 glucopyranoside, triterpene,
kaempferol-3-O- β-D-2 glucopyranoside, hesperidin, and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-2
glucopyranoside
Stem bark:
ACTION:
The dose of the drug used according to physicians
Bark powder:
1-3gm
Decoction-
40-80ml
Flower extract-
10-20ml
It is contraindicated
in patients who are allergic to the composition of the kachnar
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not
produce enough amount of thyroid hormones. According to Ayurveda,
hypothyroidism occurs due to lifestyle modification that leads to an imbalance
of the digestive fire and metabolism, and it also imbalance Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha. The use of Kachnar improve the digestive fire and balance the imbalance
of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha by its Deepan (appetizer) property
Take the required amount of kachnar powder and consume
it with lukewarm water or honey to control hypothyroidism
Piles:
According to Ayurveda, Piles is called Arsh, It
usually occurs due to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Piles occur due to the
imbalance of Vata this imbalance leads to weak digestive fire and results in
constipation. Kachnar improves the digestive fire by balancing the Vata and
prevent constipation
Take the required amount of kachnar powder and consume
it with lukewarm water or honey. Use to get relief from symptoms of piles
Menorrhagia:
Menorrhagia is also
known as Raktapradar (increase secretion of menstrual blood). This occurs due
to the imbalance of Pitta dosha. The use of kachnar regulate the heavy bleeding
by balancing the imbalance of Pitta dosha by its Sita (cold) and Kashaya
(astringent) activities
Take the required amount of kachnar powder and consume
it with lukewarm water or honey. Use to get relief from symptoms of menorrhagia
Diarrhea:
According to Ayurveda,
Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress,
improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the
imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with
stool which leads to diarrhea. Kachnar absorbs the fluid and control diarrhea
by its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya (astringent) activity.
Take the required
amount of kanchar powder and add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil for 5-10
minutes. Take this kachnar decoction and add the same amount of water into it
and drink this after your meals. Use this remedy to manage diarrhea.
Wound healing:
Kachnar helps to heal
the wound quickly by decreasing the swelling and bring the skin texture into
normal. Due to its Ropan (healing) activity boiled water of kachnar helps to
heal the wound and decrease the inflammation
Take the required
amount of kanchar powder and add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil for 5-10
minutes. Take this kachnar decoction and add the same amount of water into it
and apply this to an affected area to relieves wound healing
Acne and Pimples:
According to Ayurveda,
increased production of sebum and clogging of pores cause white and blackheads
due to the imbalance of Kapha. Kachnar helps to remove the dirt by its Kashaya
(astringent) property.
Take the required
amount of kachnar powder and add honey into it and make it as a paste. Apply
this paste on the affected area to treat acne and pimples
The Kachnar comes
in various formulations includes
Kachnar powder paste:
Take the required
amount of kachnar powder and mix it with honey and make it as a paste. Apply
the paste to the affected area. Use this remedy to treat skin diseases.
Take the required
amount of kanchar powder and add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil for 5-10
minutes. Take this kachnar decoction and add the same amount of water into it
and drink this after your meals. Use this remedy to manage diarrhea.
Take the required amount of kachnar powder and consume
it with lukewarm water or honey to control hypothyroidism
Is Kachnar powder
available in the market?
Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought
from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.
How to store Kachnar powder?
It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the
medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children
Can Kachnar be used in snake bites?
Yes,
Kachnar act as an antidote in snakebite. It neutralizes the snake venom
What happens if I use expired Kachnar?
If you use
the expired Kachnar it may cause side effects such as seizures, heart problems,
and allergies. Kindly avoid the expired Kachnar.