Kanchnara

Kanchnara also called Mountain Ebony in English has been used in Ayurvedic system of Medicine since a long period. Different species of Bauhinia are known and used as Kanchnara in Ayurvedic medicine. Both flower and bark of Kanchnara are used as medicine because of the important chemical constituents present in them.

Ayurvedic Actions

Health Benefits

Hypothyroidism 

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones. Kachnar improves the digestive fire which corrects the metabolism and also helps to balance Tridosha, biological elements due to its Deepan(appetizer) and Tridosha balancing property.

Piles

Piles, known as Arsh in Ayurveda, is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata leads to low digestive fire, leading to constipation. 

If ignored or left untreated, this causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to formation of Piles mass. Kachnar helps to improve the digestive fire because of its Deepan (appetizer) property, thereby preventing constipation and also helps to reduce swelling of the Piles mass.

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding is caused due to an aggravated Pitta dosha. Kachnar balances an aggravated Pitta and controls heavy menstrual bleeding or Menorrhagia as it has Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.

Diabetes management

Kachnar bark is  useful in the case of diabetes due to the presence of flavonoids that have antioxidant properties. These antioxidants possess anti-diabetic activity that prevent the damage of pancreatic cells and stimulate the secretion of insulin. This helps in lowering the blood sugar levels.

Obesity management

Kachnar might be good for weight loss as it helps improve body metabolism. It has anti-obesity properties which helps in the release of a hormone known as serotonin in the brain. Serotonin works as an appetite suppressant that helps manage appetite and controls excessive weight gain or obesity. 

Kachnar might help in lowering lipid levels as it has antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties. It helps lower the level of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) as well as triglycerides and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL). This helps reduce the fat deposited in the arteries and prevents artery blockage.

Dosage and side effects (only after consultation with an ayurvedic doctor)

Part used - bark, Flower

Taking Kachnar in large doses might lead to constipation.

Dosage - Powder ,  ¼-½ teaspoon 

References

1. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India. Part 1 Volume 1.
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777169/pdf/BMRI2013-915436.pdf
3. https://irjponline.com/admin/php/uploads/787_pdf.pdf