KACHUR

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for kachur is Curcuma zedoaria which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is a plant-based flower. 

Sanskrit- Karchura

Hindi- Karchur

Kannada- Kachora

Tamil- Kichilik, Kizangu, Poolangizhangu

Telugu- Kachoramu

Bengali- Kachura

Marathi- Kachora

Gujarati- Kachura

Malayalam- Kachchurikizhanna

Unani- Narkachoor

English- Zedoary, White turmeric

Kachur is a perennial herb that widely grows in shady places in Eastern Himalaya and the central region of Karnataka and Chittagong. The leaves are simple and 22.5-30 cm long, oblong and the petioles are 60-90cm long and green. Flowers are irregular, bisexual with 15-30 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter. Fruits are globose and pericarp membranous at the length of 3 valved. The roots of this plant are thin, transverse, and 2-5cm in diameter, pale brown and wrinkled without. The flowering of this plant occurs in January and February.

Part used: Rhizome

Taste: Pungent and bitter

Potency: Hot

On chemical compound analysis of the kachur, it includes

Essential oil and resin like mono-and sesquiterpenoids, monoterpene hydrocarbons (2.3%), oxygenated monoterpenes (26%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (38%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (13.5%), α- Terpinyl aceate (8.4%), isoborneol (7%), dehydrocurdione (9%) and selina-4(15), 7(11)-dien-8-one (9,4%), germacrone-4. 1,8-cineole, 5-epoxide, germacrone, furanodienone, curzereone, Zederone, dehydrocurdione, curcumenol, isocurcumenol, curcumemone, curmanolide A, curmanolide.

ACTION:

• Anti-pyretic; Helps to reduce fever
• Aphrodisiac: Increase the sexual desire
• Anti-aggregant: Inhibit the formation of thrombus by decreasing the platelet aggregation
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduce the inflammation by inhibiting the body mechanism
• Carminative: Helps to prevent the formation of flatulence
• Demulcent: Helps to reduce inflammation and irritation
• Diuretic: Increase the amount of urine excretion
• Emmenagogue: Increase the menstrual flow
• Expectorant: Treat cough by increasing the secretion of sputum in the air passages
• Stomachic: It stimulates the gastric activity
• Stimulant
• Tonic

• The rhizomes of this plant help to reduce cough, bad breath, and sore throat
• The paste of kachur can be applied to treat wounds and sprains
• The decoction which  is prepared by the roots of the Kachur, cinnamon, long pepper is taken along with honey to treat cough, rhinitis, and fever
• The leaf juice of kachur helps to treat ascites
• To treat hemorrhoids and diarrhea the kachur rhizomes are used
• To manage seizures the paste of the kachur is applied over the head and body
• The rhizome fresh juice is used to treat intestinal worm infection

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Root powder: 1-3g

Decoction: 15-30ml

• Kindly avoid the use of Kachur in patients during pregnancy it may cause miscarriage
• Avoid the use of Kachur in patients during breastfeeding
• It should  be avoided in women who are suffering from heavy menstrual flow because the use of Kachur increase the effect of bleeding
• Do not consume this Kachur on an empty stomach this may cause hypersecretion of gastric acid
• Kachur oil has hot potency so it should be used along with coconut oil

If the patient is allergic to the chemical constituents of Kachur

Wounds:

Kachur has Ropan (healing) property which helps to reduce the pain and inflammation that occur due to wound

Nasal congestion:

Due to its Kapha balancing property, kachur helps to manage respiratory disorders

Take the required quantity of kachur oil in warm water and use this water like a steamer to reduce the blockage in the nasal and treat cough

Hair loss:

Kachur has Tikshna (sharp) and Kashaya (astringent) properties which help to prevent the hair fall that occurs due to dandruff and other infections

Arthritis:

Due to its Vata balancing properties kachur helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and inflammation

Apply the kachur oil with sesame oil to the affected area. Use this remedy to reduce the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and inflammation

Lung inflammation:

Traditional view: Due to its Kapha and Vata balancing properties kachur helps to reduce the excessive mucus and inflammation of the lungs and it also reduces the symptoms like coughing.

Modern view: Due to its anti-inflammatory property it helps to reduce the inflammation in the lungs

Piles:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Piles occur due to improper digestion. The kachur helps to manage piles by improving the poor digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) property.

Modern view: Kachur contains Curcumenol, Furanodiene which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It manages piles by reducing the pain in the inflamed areas and it also helps to treat symptoms of piles such as discomfort, blessing, pain, and swelling.

Bad breath:

Traditional view: Fresh kachur can be chewed to control the bad breath by killing the bacteria which is responsible for bad breath

Modern view: It has anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties which help to control the bad breath by inhibiting the volatile sulfur compounds which are responsible for bad breath

The kachur comes in various formulations includes

Internal use:

Kachur churna:

Take the required amount of kachur churna and add milk or honey and consume this drink after your meals

Kachur capsule:

Take the required amount of capsule as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and take the capsule with water after your meals

Kachur Herbal tea:

Take the required amount of kachur churna and add 1 cup of water and allow to boil on a low flame for 5-7 minutes and filter the water and drink.

External use:

Kachur powder:

Take the required amount of kachur powder and add milk to it and make it as paste and apply this paste on the skin, leave it for 5-20 minutes and wash it with tap water

Kachur oil:

Take the required amount of kachur oil along with coconut oil and apply this oil to the hair and scalp to reduce dandruff and hair fall

Kachur fresh paste:

Take the required amount of kachur paste and add milk to it and make it as paste and apply this paste on the skin, leave it for 5-20 minutes and wash it with tap water

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset

Is Kachur 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 Kachur oil?

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 kachur cause skin rashes?

Yes, due to its Ushna (hot) potency it may cause skin rashes, and also if the skin is hypersensitive to kachur

Is Kachur helpful in dental problems?

It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to manage dental problems by reducing the pain and inflammation in the affected area and it also helps to reduce the symptoms of toothache and gingivitis.