Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) –

Benefits, Medicinal Usage and Properties

INTRODUCTION

Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) is grown all over India in beautiful gardens and its self grown trees are found in forests, in the Himalayan valleys and in lower hilly region. Based on the flower types its three main varieties are identified as purple rose: Bauhinia purpurea, white to purplish: bauhinia variegata and yellow flowered: Bauhinia tomentosa. Yellow flowered trees are large in size and grow in hilly areas and its flowers and leaves are larger than the other two varieties. For medicinal purposes generally the white to purplish: bauhinia variegata is used which is described here but in properties all three are the same. This is why if one variety is not available the other variety can be used. Bauhinia acuminata white flower is also used as an ornamental garden plant.

APPEARANCE

Trees are 15-20 ft. tall with soft branches which bend downwards bark is one inch thick rough brown and white in color. Leaves are alternate 2-6 inch long 3-7 inch wide bifurcated and rounded. Leaves are heart shaped the curve in front part is so deep that it gives the appearance as if two leaves are joined together. Flowers are big white purple or pink where the inside parts are yellowish in color. Fruits are to 1 inch long flat slippery strong and slightly curved. Leafless plant bears flowers in February – March and fruits in April –May.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The bark contains tannin sugar and a brown colored sticky gum like liquid.

PROPERTIES

Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) purifies and cleanses ulcers and wound it is a healer coagulant can cure sprue and irritable bowel syndrome. It purifies and checks the bleeding cures obesity. It is anti-dermatitis, cures urinary disorders bleeding diathesis gandmala and lymphatic inflammation.

FRUIT

Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) Fruit are light, dry and have binding properties and cure pitta, vaginal discharge, phthisis, tuberculosis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. It cures disorders of blood.

MEDICINAL USAGE AND BENEFITS

MOUTH DISORDERS:-

Gargle with its bark’s decoction or cold or hot infusion, it cures all types of mouth disorders.

LOOSE MOTION:-

Give 2-5gm powder of its dried fruits with water 3-4 times a day. It controls loose motion.

SWELLING OF LIVER: –

Give 10-20gm decoction of bark of root of yellow bauhinia every morning and evening. It cures swelling of liver.

DYSURIA:-

Give 5-10gm powder of its dried fruits. It cures dysuria.

DIARRHOEA DUE TO INDIGESTION:-

1. Give 5gm powder of dried leaves of yellow bauhinia followed by 2 teaspoonful of aniseed juice. It cures diarrhea due to indigestion.
2. Take 10 gm of its flower {still buds} and boil them. Give this water twice a day to the patient.

INTESTINAL WORMS:-

Take 20 gm bark of yellow bauhinia and boil in 400 ml water till water is reduced to 1/4th. Give this decoction to the patient. It kills the worms in the intestines.

WORM INFECTED WOUNDS:-

Grind the seeds of yellow bauhinia in vinegar and apply the paste on the wounds. It kills the germs and worms in the wound and ulcers.

STOMATITIS:-

1. Prepare decoction of its bark with flowers of pomegranate tree. Use this decoction to gargle. It cures the boils.
2. Take 50 gm inner bark of the tree and boil in half liter water till water is reduced to half. Use this water to gargle. It helps cure boils, which couldn’t be cured with any other medication. It also cures boils of women suffering from purpureum period.

MULTINODULAR TUBERCULOSIS:-

1. Take 10-20 gm bark and boil in 400ml water till water is reduced to 1/4th. Give this water to the patient. It cures multinodular tuberculosis.
2. Add 1 gm dry ginger powder in 20 gm decoction of its bark. Give this water to the patient every morning and evening.
3. Give 10-20 gm decoction of its bark or flowers with honey twice a day. It cures multinodular tuberculosis and also purifies blood.
4. Mix 250 gm bark powder with 250 gm sugar. Give 5-10 gm of this mixture every morning and evening with milk or water.

DYSPEPSIA:-

Give decoction of 10-20 gm of its root every morning and evening it cures dyspepsia.

FLATULENCE:-

Give the decoction of its root with 3 gm. Ajwain powder. It cures the swelling of stomach due to indigestion.

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION:-

1. Give 5-10 gm jam of its buds to the patient.
2. Give 2-5 gm powder of its dried flowers with sugar. It loosens the motions.

BLEEDING PILES:–

1. Take 2-5 gm powder of its dried buds and mix equal amount of sugar candy in it. Give this to the patient with butter, 2-3 times a day. It cures bleeding piles.
2. Boil the bark of jambol, soapnut tree and bauhinia and rinse the affected area with this water.
3. Jam of bauhinia buds is also beneficial in curing bleeding piles.

DIARRHOEA :-

It buds are cool and have binding properties. Cook them and give to the patient. It helps cure diarrhea.