KANCHNAR (ORCHID TREE)

Description

Kachnar is a deciduous tree of small to medium sized height up to 15mt with spreading crown and a short bole. Twigs of the tree are slender, light green, angled, hairy and brownish grey in color. The outer bark is scaly, smooth to slightly fissured and brownish grey in color and the inner bark is pinkish in color, fibrous and bitter. Leaves of the tree are bi-lobed with minute stipules, ovate to circular, 10-13 nerved and upper surface of leaves are glabrous. Leaves of the plant are just like camel’s hoof print. Flowers are reminiscent of showy orchids and have five slightly overlapped and irregular petals of yellow and pinkish purple color. The Cluster of flowers is unbranched at the end of twigs. Scented flowers show its first appearance in late winters when the tree is bare of leaves. Fruit is dehiscent pod; strap- shaped contains various flat seeds and about 15- 30cm long.

PROPERTIES

काञ्चनारः काखनको गण्डाररः शोणपुष्पकः ॥ १०१ ॥ कु ण्डऱी ताम्रपुष्पश्चाश्मन्तकः स्वल्पके शरी ॥ १०२ ॥
कोववदारोऽवप तद्वत्सस्यात्सतयोः पुष्पं ऱघु स्मतम ् । रूक्षं संग्राहि वपत्सतात्रप्रदरक्षयकासनुत ् ॥ १०४ ॥

Kachnar, kanchnak, gandari and shonpushpak are various synonyms of Kachnar. Kovidar, marik, kuddal, yugpatrak, kundali, tamrpushp, ashmantak and swalpkeshri are synonyms of kanchanar. • This herb is cold by potency, astringent by taste, pacifies pitta and kapha dosha and very effective in worm infestation, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, cervical lymphadenitis, an wounds. Both varieties have equal action and properties.
• Flowers of both the species are light, rough, used in bleeding disorders, cough and in tuberculosis.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Stem Bark Contents:

• Sugar,
• hentriacontane,
• octacosanol,
• sitosterol,
• lupeol,
• galactopyranoside,
• tannans.

Flowers Contents:

• Octacosanal,
• B-stiosteral,
• flavonoid,
• quercitroside,
• rutoside,
• ascorbic acid,
• keto acid,
• amino acid,
• rutin

BENEFITS

1. Kachnar corrects the imbalance in hormones and helps in relieving menstrual disorders like anovulation and amenorrhea.
2. Kachnar is also very beneficial for the overall female reproductive system and it is very beneficial in various diseases like PCOD, hypothyroidism, endometriosis, and fibroids in females. Kachnar is anti-microbial in action and it is very effective in reducing the size of enlarged Lymph nodes on neck and groin region.
3. This herb is also beneficial in nasal polyps as it reduces the size of polyp and helps in easy breathing.
4. A decoction of this bark is very effective in tonsillitis and thyroid related problems. Extract of kachnar leaves improves the liver functioning and gives wonderful results in jaundice.
5. It is used to maintain proper metabolism and functioning of the liver.
6. Bark decoction acts as an appetizer and is used for gargle for mouth ulcers and bad breath and this herb is also best used in skin disorders.
7. It is also used as a scrapping herb to reduce extra fat in obese people.
8. It is used to relieve painful urination and other infections related to the urinary tract. Kachnar is also very effective for the sufferers of hemorrhoids.
9. Bitter taste flowers of this miraculous tree are a natural blood purifier and help to expel out extra toxins and waste from the blood.
10. Bark juice of this herb is used to cure amoebic dysentery, diarrhea and other infections of the digestive system.
11. Kachnar is anti-diabetic herb for the sufferers of diabetes with good hypoglycemic activities.
12. It helps in pacifying kapha and pitta dosha.