Sanskrit Name: Kanchnar, Rajavriksha, Gandari
Botanical Name:
Bauhinia variegata L.
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/233
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Kanchnar
- English: Orchid tree, Mountain Ebony
- Bengali: Kanchnar
- Tamil: Kanchanai
- Telugu: Kanchanara
Synonyms & Shloka from Bhavaprakasha:
काञ्चनारः काञ्चनको गण्डारिः शोणपुष्पकः ॥१०१॥
कोविदारश्च मरिकः कुद्दालो युगपत्रकः । कुण्डली ताम्रपुष्पश्चाश्मन्तकः स्वल्पकेशरी ॥१०२॥
Classification According to Ayurvedic Texts:
- Vagbhata: Mentioned in various formulations as a Vata-Pitta suppressant
- Bhavaprakasha: Guduchyadi varga
- Habitat & Distribution:
- Native to tropical and subtropical regions of India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa.
- Commonly found in the wild, roadsides, and gardens.
Morphology:
- A small to medium-sized tree with a spreading canopy.
- Leaves: Heart-shaped with a distinct cleft at the base.
- Flowers: Large, purple to white with a yellow center, aromatic, and produced in clusters.
- Fruit: A pod-like structure containing several seeds.
Varieties: B. tomentosa., B. purpurea
Substitute/Adulterant: Sometimes substituted with B. tomentosa., B. purpurea
Phytochemicals: Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones.
Raspanchaka:
- Rasa: Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)
- Guna: Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
- Virya: Ushna (Hot)
- Vipaka: Katu (Pungent)
- Prabhava: Deepana (Appetizer), Shothahara (Reduces inflammation)
- Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Pitta Shamak
Karma (Therapeutic Actions):
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Analgesic
- Anticancer
- Antibacterial
- Anti-hyperglycemic
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
- External: Used in poultices for skin inflammation, boils, and abscesses.
- Internal: Used in conditions like swelling, obesity, joint pain, skin disorders, and respiratory issues like asthma.
Part Used:
- Leaves, Flowers, Bark
Dose:
- Powder: 1–3 grams; Decoction: 20–30 ml; Juice: 10–20 ml
Yoga/Formulations:
- Kanchnar Guggulu, Kanchnar Churna, various formulations in treating Kapha and Pitta disorders.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Research Updates :
- Anticancer activity (2021): Studies indicate Kanchnar’s potential in inhibiting tumor growth.
- Anti-inflammatory properties (2020): Kanchnar showed significant reduction in inflammatory markers.
- Antidiabetic effects (2019): Kanchnar bark extract demonstrated potential to lower blood glucose levels.
