Sanskrit Name
Latakaranja
Identification No.– SDACH/HG/269
Botanical Name
Ceasalpinia bonduc
Family Name
leguminisae, caesalpinioideae
Vernacular Names
- Latin name: Caesalpinia Crista
- English name: Bonduct nut, Fever nut, Nicker tree.
- Hindi name: Kantakareja
- Malayalam name: Kalanchikkru
- Tamil name: Kazhar Shikkay, Kalichchikkai
- Bengali name: Natakani
- Telgu name: Gachchakaya
Synonyms
Kantaki Karanja, Katikaranja
Habitat & Distribution
Common in tropical and subtropical regions of India, especially in forest areas and along roadsides.
Morphology
A large climbing shrub with bipinnate leaves, bright yellow flowers, and prickly seed pods containing hard, grayish seeds.
Varieties: Caesalpinia Crista, Caesalpinia bonduc
Substitute/Adulterant
Often substituted or adulterated with seeds of Pongamia pinnata due to similar appearance.
Phytochemicals
Caesalpin, Saponins, β-sitosterol, Bonducin, Albuminoids, Essential oils.
Raspanchaka
Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
Prabhava: Visamjwaraghana
Dosha Shamakta: Tridosha shamak
Karma
Krimighna, Kushtaghna, Shothahara, Jwaraghna
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses
External
Paste of seeds applied on abscesses, swellings, and skin disorders.
Internal
Seed powder used for intestinal worms, fever, and digestion-related issues.
Part Used
Seeds, Root, Bark
Dose
Seed powder: 1–3g, Decoction: 50–100ml
Yoga/Formulations
Krimighna Vati, Latakaranja Beej Churna, Aragvadhadi Kwath
IUCN Status
Not evaluated
Research Updates
1. Anthelmintic activity of Caesalpinia crista seed extract. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2021)
2. Evaluation of hepatoprotective potential. (Indian J Exp Biol, 2020)
3. Immunomodulatory effects of seed extracts. (Phytomedicine, 2019)
