Kachnar (Chhal) - Kachnar (Bark) - Kanchnar Chhal - Kachnal - Mountain Ebony - Bauhinia Variegata by IndianJadiBooti

Kachnar, which is also known as Mountain Ebony or Rakta Kanchan, is commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and along roadsides in warm temperate and subtropical regions. Every part of the plant, including the leaves, flower buds, flowers, stem, bark, seeds, and roots, is known to have medicinal properties.

Kachnar leaves are beneficial for managing diabetes as they help lower blood glucose levels and improve the lipid profile due to their antioxidant content. The stem of the Kachnar plant can aid in weight management by enhancing metabolism.

In Ayurveda, consuming Kachnar powder with honey or lukewarm water helps manage thyroid issues because of its Tridosha balancing and Deepan (appetizer) properties. Kachnar also promotes wound healing by encouraging the formation of new skin cells thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Additionally, applying Kachnar powder mixed with honey can help address skin problems such as acne and pimples due to its Sita (cooling) and Kashaya (astringent) properties. However, excessive consumption of Kachnar should be avoided as it may cause constipation.

Benefits of Kachnar:

1. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Ayurveda suggests that diet and lifestyle factors, which disrupt the balance of the digestive fire and metabolism and affect the Tridoshas (Vata/Pitta/Kapha), are the root causes of Hypothyroidism. Kachnar helps enhance digestive fire, corrects metabolism, and balances the Tridoshas due to its Deepan and Tridosha balancing properties.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Hypothyroidism:

1. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Consume it with lukewarm water or honey once or twice a day.

2. Piles

Piles, or Arsh in Ayurveda, are often caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle, which impair the three doshas, especially Vata. An aggravated Vata decreases the digestive fire, leading to constipation. If not addressed, this causes swelling in the rectal veins, resulting in Piles. Kachnar helps improve digestive fire due to its Deepan properties, preventing constipation, and reducing the swelling of Piles mass.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Piles:

1. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Consume it with lukewarm water or honey once or twice a day.

3. Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, referred to as Raktapradar in Ayurveda, is caused by an aggravated Pitta dosha. Kachnar balances the aggravated Pitta, helping control heavy menstrual bleeding due to its Sita (cooling) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Menorrhagia:

1. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Consume it with lukewarm water or honey once or twice a day.

4. Diarrhea

Diarrhea, known as Atisar in Ayurveda, results from factors like improper diet, impure water, toxins, mental stress, and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire), which aggravate Vata. Aggravated Vata draws fluid into the intestines, mixing it with stool, leading to loose motions. Kachnar helps manage diarrhea by improving digestive fire due to its Deepan properties and thickening stools with its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya properties.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Diarrhea:

1. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

3. Wait 5-10 minutes until the water reduces to ½ cup.

4. Take 3-4 teaspoons of this Kachnar decoction.

5. Add equal parts water to it.

6. Drink it once or twice a day after meals.

Other Names of Kachnar Bark:

• Hindi – Kachnar
• English – Mountain ebony
• Sanskrit – Gandari
• Oriya – Boroda), Kanjoni
• Urdu – Kachnal
• Kannada – Kempumandara, Devkanyanamu
• Gujarati – Champakati, Kanchnar
• Tamil – Segappumundarai
• Telugu – Devakanchanamu
• Bengali – Raktakanchan, Kanchan
• Nepali – Koiralo, Taki
• Marathi – Rakta-kanchan, Koral, Kanchan
• Malayalam – Chuvannamandaram

Additional Uses:

Wound Healing

Kachnar promotes wound healing, reduces swelling, and restores normal skin texture. Boiled Kachnar water can reduce inflammation and aid in healing due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cooling) properties.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Wound Healing:

1. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

3. Wait 5-10 minutes until the water reduces to ½ cup.

4. Use 3-4 teaspoons (or as needed) of this Kachnar decoction.

5. Add water to the decoction as required.

6. Use it to clean wounds once or twice a day.

Acne and Pimples

Individuals with Kapha-Pitta skin types are prone to acne and pimples. Aggravated Kapha increases sebum production, clogging pores and causing white and blackheads, while aggravated Pitta leads to red bumps and inflammation with pus. Kachnar helps remove oil and dirt due to its Kashaya nature and balances aggravated Pitta with its Sita properties.

Tip to Use Kachnar for Acne and Pimples:

1. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Kachnar powder.

2. Add honey to make a paste.

3. Apply the paste to the affected area once a day.

4. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week.

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