LATA KANCHNAR

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 :

1. Anticancer activity (2021): Studies indicate Kanchnar’s potential in inhibiting tumor growth.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties (2020): Kanchnar showed significant reduction in inflammatory markers.
3. Antidiabetic effects (2019): Kanchnar bark extract demonstrated potential to lower blood glucose levels.