Kanchanara

  Kanchanara is a small tree that grows through out India. The  tree is commonly known as camel’s foot and have many therapeutic uses. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Kanchanara for the treatment diseases caused by the vitiation of Pitta Kapha doshas as the herb is Pitta Kapha samaka in it’s action. Kanchanara is used to treat numerous diseases including Goitre, Pox etc. Nowadays it’s also used as an astringent , antibacterial and antiinflammatory agent as it contains Phytoconstituents like octacosanol, stigmasterols etc.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Bauhinia variegata       

Family :  Caesalpinaceae 

Habitat: Through out India 

Parts used

• Stem bark

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Vamanopaga varga (emetic herbs)

Susruta Samhita – urdhwabhagahara varga

Pharmacological action

• Astringent 
• Antibacterial 
• Haemostatic 
• Antiinflammatory 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Dipana (carminative )
• Jwarahara (Antipyretic )
• Krimighna (kills worms)
• Kushtaghna (Alleviate skin disorders)

Therapeutic indications

• Goitre (Gandamala)- Decoction of Kanchanara is taken internally after adding ginger powder to alleviate Goitre
• Pox ( Masurika)- Decoction of Kanchanara is taken at a dose of 90 ml to alleviate Pox.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (kwatha )- 90 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Kanchanara guggulu 
• Kanchanara gulika
• Kanchanara kwatha 

Morphology :

A shrub or small tree with woody aerial stem. Leaves are cordate. Inflorescence is panicle cyme. Flowers are pinkish. Fruits are legume.

Vernacular names 

English – camel’s foot

Hindi- kachnar

Malayalam – mandaram

Sanskrit – Kanchanara 

Synonyms 

• Gandari
• Yugmapatrika

Rasapanchaka of Kanchanara

Rasa-  Kashaya (Astringent )

Guna-  Laghu (light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya-  sita (cold)

Prabhava – Gandamalahara (Alleviate goitre)

काञ्चनारो हिमो ग्राही तुवरः श्लेष्मपित्तनुत् ।

कृमिकुष्ठगुदभ्रंशगण्डमाला व्रणापहः ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 103)

Kanchanara is Pitta Kapha samaka because of it’s properties like Katu vipaka and cold potency . The herb is used to alleviate diseases caused by Piita and Kapha doshas like Goitre and Worm infestation etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr.Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Kanchanara for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha and Pitta especially in treating Goitre. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of Kanchanara guggulu ?

   Used for alleviating Goitre and Tumors.

2)What is the scientific name of Kanchanara ?

Botanical name of Devadaru is Bauhinia variegata