Khadira

 Khadira is commonly known as Cutch tree and is found through out the forests of India. The herb brings stability by alleviating diseases and hence the name given. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Khadira for the treatment of disorders involving vitiation of Pitta and Kapha doshas as the herb alleviates these doshas. Ayurvedatarian uses the herb to treat conditions like Vitiligo, Cough , Skin diseases etc. It is also used as an astringent , cooling and haemostatic agent.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Acacia catechu       

Family :  Mimosaceae 

Habitat: All over India

Parts used

• Heartwood 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Kushtaghna varga(alleviate skin disorder )

Susruta Samhita – Salasaradi gana 

Pharmacological action

• Cooling 
• Astringent 
• Digestant 

 

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Kushtaghna ( alleviate skin disease )
• Krimighna (antimicrobial )
• Pacana (digestant )
• Jwarahara (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

• Vitiligo (Switra )- Decoction of Khadira is used effectively in treating Vitiligo 
• Cough (Kasa)- The powder of Khadira is mixed with curd and is taken internally 

Dosage

Decoction – 60 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 

• Khadirarishta
• Khadira vatika
• Khadirastaka

Morphology :

A moderate sized tree with dark colored bark. Leaves are linear. Inflorescence is axillary spikes. Flowers are pale yellow.

Vernacular names 

English – cutch tree

Hindi- khair

Malayalam – karingali

Sanskrit – khadira

Synonyms

• Gayatri
• Balapatra
• Bahusalya

Rasapanchaka of Khadira

Rasa- Tikta(bitter)Kashaya (Astringent )

Guna-  Laghu (light)

Vipaka- Katu(acrid)

Virya-  Sita (cold)

Prabhava -Kushtaghna ( alleviate skin disease )

खदिरो शीतलो दन्त्यः कण्डूकासारुचिप्रणुत् ।

तिक्तः कषायो मेदोघ्नः कृमिमेह ज्वरव्रणान् । ।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Vatadi varga-shloka 31)

Khadira alleviate Pitta Kapha doshas owing to it’s properties like Cold potency and Bitter taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr.Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Khadira for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha and Pitta especially in alleviating skin disorders. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Khadirarishta ?

Khadirarishta is used in alleviating Skin disorder and cough.

2. What are the useful parts of Khadira?

Heartwood.