Kachnar: Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Kachnar is a plant-based flower or tree which is also known by several names such as Bauhinia Variegata, Kanchan Kanchana, Rakta Kanchana, etc. This is an ornate plant that is planted in parks, gardens, and at the side of roads in areas where there are warm temperatures and subtropical regions. The parts of this plant i.e. leaf, flower, stem, seeds, roots, etc., have medicinal benefits in it.

Kachnar is helpful in the management of diabetes as it reduces the blood glucose levels and helps in the improvement of the lipids profile as it has antioxidants in it. Moreover, the stem of Kachnar can help manage weight as it improves metabolism.

According to Ayurveda, if we consume Kachnar powder mixed with honey or warm water, it will provide aid in managing thyroid disease as it contains Tridosha balancing and Deepan (appetizer) properties.

Additionally, Kachnar is also helpful in providing ailment to the wounds as it helps in the development of new skin cells in the body because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Under Ayurveda, if we apply Kachnar powder along with honey, it will help in reducing the skin problems like acne, pimples, rashes, because it has various properties like Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent).

One should be aware that consuming Kachnar in excess will be harmful since it can lead to constipation. So, one should not take Kachnar in over quantity.

Perquisites of Kachnar

• Hypothyroidism- Hypothyroidism is a type of disease where the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormones. According to Ayurveda, the foremost reason for this hypothyroidism condition is due to diet and lifestyle which causes an imbalance in the digestive system and hamper the metabolism which causes an imbalance in Tridoshas (Vata/Pitta/Kapha). By using Kachnar, the digestive imbalance can be improved which will further help in providing aid to the metabolism and balancing the tridoshas because it has Deepan (appetizer) and Tridishas balancing property.

Tips-

1. Have ¼- ½ teaspoon of Kachnar powder.
2. Take it with normal warm water or with honey at least two times a day in managing hypothyroidism.

• Piles- According to Ayurveda, piles are known as Arsh which is caused due to unhealthy diet and bad lifestyle. This then causes damage to the three doshas, mainly including Vata. This aggravated Vata will further result in the low digestive fire which causes constipation. If you are thinking of ignoring or leaving it untreated, it will lead to swelling of veins in the rectum which causes Piles mass. By using Kachnar, it can manage the digestive fire because it has Deepan (appetizer) property which helps in the prevention of constipation and thus, reducing or eliminating the chances of swelling in the veins of the rectum.

Tips-

1. Have ¼- ½ teaspoon of Kachnar Powder.
2. Take it with normal warm water or honey at least two times a day to help to reduce the swelling and get relief in piles.

• Menorrhagia- This is a condition where women face heavy menses or heavy flow of blood while on period and are also known as Raktapradar (increased secretion of menstrual blood) as per Ayurveda which occurs because of aggravated Pitta dosha. Using Kachnar powder will help in balancing the aggravated Pitta and helps in controlling heavy blood flow or menorrhagia because it has Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.

Tips-

1. Have ¼- ½ teaspoon of Kachnar Powder.
2. Take it with normal warm water or honey at least two times a day to help to reduce the swelling and get relief in piles.

• Diarrhea- Diarrhea can also be known as Atisar as per Ayurveda which can arise because of improper consumption of food, toxins present in the body, mentally stressed, low-quality water, and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these impact the digestive fire and leads to aggravated Vata. This further results in building fluids in the intestines which comes from multiple tissues in the body and then get mixed with stools. When this happens, the loose, watery stool will occur and causes diarrhea. Using Kachnar is helpful in the improvement of digestive fire because it has Deepan (appetizer) property. Moreover, due to its Grahi (absorption) and Kashaya (astringent) property, it makes thick stools and manages water loss.

Tips-

1. Have ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.
2. Mix 2 cups of water into the powder and boil it.
3. Leave it for 5-10 minutes or until ½ cup of water is left.
4. Have 3-4 teaspoons of this Kachnar detox.
5. After that, put more quantity of water into it.
6. Have it one or two times a day after you have taken your meals which will help in controlling watery motion because of diarrhea.

• Wound Healing- Kachnar is useful in proving ailment in the wound as it lowers down the swelling and helps in getting back the normal same texture of the skin. Moreover, applying Kachnar boiled water can help heal the wound and reduce the inflammation because it has Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) properties.

Tips-

1. Have ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.
2. Mix 2 cups of water into it and boil.
3. Leave it for 5-10 minutes or until ½ cup of water is left.
4. Have 3-4 teaspoon or as required by you of this Kachnar detox.
5. Mix more water to this detox as you require.
6. Using this water to clean the wounds one or two times a day will help in the fast healing of the wound.

• Acne and Pimples- A person who has a lot of acne or pimples can use Kachnar to reduce these skin problems. People who have Kapha-Pitta doshas skin type are more inclined to get these skin problems like acne and pimples. As per Ayurveda, aggravation of Kapha can increase the development of sebum which will result in clogging of pores. This causes blackheads and whiteheads on the skin. Pitta aggravation also leads to causing red papules (bumps) which are filled with pus and can cause pain and inflammation. Using Kachnar can remove the excessive oil and dirt present on the skin because it has Kashaya (astringent) property. Moreover, it also helps in balancing the aggravated Pitta because of its Sita (cold) property which provides aid in acne and pimples.

Tips-

1. Have ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.
2. Mix it with honey and make a paste.
3. Put this paste on the skin or the acne or pimples one time in a day.
4. Try this remedy 2-3 times a week to reduce acne or pimples.

Measures to be taken while using Kachnar

Scientific View

Usage of Kachnar

Kachnar Powder Paste-

1. Have ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.
2. Mix it with honey and make a paste.
3. Use this paste and apply it to the area.
4. Try this method at least for 2-3 days a week to reduce skin diseases.

FAQs about Kachnar

1.Is using Kachnar helpful in snake bites?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar is useful in treating the snake bite since, in the traditional medicine system, it was used to treat snake bites and act as an antidote. Moreover, it neutralizes the venom of the snake and helps in easing the effect of snake poison.

2.How can we store Kachnar?

According to the scientific view, we can store Kachnar in a tight container which should be placed at room temperature and must be kept away from direct sunlight.

3.What will happen after using expired Kachnar?

According to the scientific view, if we take a dose of Kachnar which is expired, it might result in harmful reactions like seizures, skin allergies, heart problems, etc. Hence, it is recommended not to consume expired Kachnar as it may sometimes also result in life-threatening problems.

4.Is there any other commercial use of Kachnar?

According to the scientific view, yes kachnar is used for many other purposes like for manufacturing of wood wool board, fibers, production of gum, etc.

Is Kachnar helpful in reducing diabetes?

Will Kachnar help reduce obesity?

Will Kachnar be helpful in worm infections?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar is useful in treating worm infections as it will reduce the chances of growth of parasitic worms which can occur due to anthelmintic property. Moreover, it helps in suppressing the parasite activity and the expansion of parasite from the body, thus useful in the management of worm infections.

Can we use Kachnar for decreasing hyperlipidemia?

Will Kachnar has neuroprotective property?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar can show neuroprotective activity because it contains antioxidant properties. Moreover, it is also helpful in reducing oxidative stress and protecting the brain cells (neurons) which can cause damage to the brain due to free radicals.

Can we use Kachnar in ulcer?

Can we use Kachnar in treating Alzheimer’s disease?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease and can lower the risk of it. There were many studies done on animals that suggested that using Kachnar can reduce the activity of enzyme acetylcholinesterase. It will further help in breaking the acetylcholine that is an important neurotransmitter and hence, helping in lowering the risk of this disease.

Is using Kachnar results in constipation?

According to the scientific view, yes if we take Kachnar in an excessive amount it can cause constipation.

Can Kachnar be used in flatulence?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar can be beneficial in the discharge of flatulence because it has carminative property.

How can we use Kachnar for wound healing?

According to the scientific view, yes Kachnar is useful in treating wounds. Using Kachnar, a paste can be made which contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. There were many studies conducted on animals that showed that phytoconstituents in Kachnar can help in the development of collagen and produce inflammatory mediators. This mediator will help in wound healing.

Will Kachnar help in treating toothache?