Kachnar or Orchid Tree and Its Health Benefits
Kachnar Or The Orchid Tree
Latin Name : Bauhinia variegata
Indian Names : Kachnar,
Common Names : Orchid tree, Mountain ebony, Camel's foot tree
The Orchid or Kachnar Tree
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Kachnar Or The Orchid Tree
Kachnar is a medium sized tree that reaches a height of 50 to 60 feet. It is native to India, Pakistan and Southern China; in fact to Southeast Asia.
The leaves are large and broad and are bilobed both at the apex and the base. The orchid tree bears white or pink flowers. The fruit is a long pod about a foot long with several seeds ranging from 10 to 15 inside.
The orchid tree is also popularly grown as an ornamental tree, for its scented flowers and for medicinal purposes as many of its parts like the leaves, flowers, buds, bark and root are used medicinally.
Kachnar grows in tropical to sub tropical areas of the world apart from growing in the Himalayan range.
Kachnar is also used as an ingredient in many foods. The flower buds are used as food cooked either alone or used in meat dishes. They are considered a delicacy.
Kachnar leaves are used as animal fodder.
Health Benefits Of Kachnar
In the Ayurvedic texts, sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita, many therapeutic properties have been ascribed to kachnar.
Kachnar is believed to pacify the 3 doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Some of the benefits of extracts of the orchid tree that studies have revealed are :
- Regulate blood sugar. The protein present in the leaves have insulin like activity.
- Protect the kidneys against toxicity and damage due to accumulation of toxic chemicals.
- Protect the liver. Extracts of kachnar protect the liver against carbon tetrachloride toxicity.
- Heal intestinal ulcers by decreasing the output of gastric acids.
- Control the formation of tumors and also possess cancer preventing properties.
- Heal wounds faster when compared to a control group.
- Has tonic and restorative properties.
- Relieve diarrhea and remove intestinal worms.
- Act as a diuretic.
- Have anti inflammatory and anti microbial properties.
- Decoction of kachnar bark is useful in alleviating skin diseases.
- Kachnar has the capacity to purify the air by cleaning up the atmospheric and soil pollution. The roots have nitrogen fixing properties.
- The flowers and buds are useful in flatulence and joint pains.
Check out the recipe video below for a curry prepared with kachnar flower buds.
Kachnar Flower Buds Curry | Kachnar Ki Sabji
Some Ayurvedic Remedies With Kachnar
- For Mouth Ulcers & Bad Breath
Take dried bark pf kachnar and pound it coarsely. To 10 grams of this add 400 ml water. Let it come to a boil and then simmer till about 100 ml of water remains.
Remove from heat, cool a bit and filter the water. Gargle with this water while still warm. Do this 2 to 3 times daily. This is a very effective remedy for mouth ulcers and works even where other medications have failed to provide relief.
- For Diarrhea And Intestinal Mucus
Powder the bark. Take 3 grams of this powder with water twice a day; once in the morning and again in the evening.
- For Difficulty In Urination
Remove the seeds from the long pod like fruit. Powder the seeds. Take 1 gram of this seed powder twice a day, in the morning and evening, with water. It relieves problems in urination.
- For Liver Problems And Jaundice
Extract juice from kachnar leaves. Drink 2 times a day. Dose adults 50 ml and children 15 ml.
This juice improves the liver function and reduces enlargement of the liver.
- For Thyroid Problems And Tonsils
Pound about 20 grams of kachnar bark and add 200 ml of water to it. Boil and then simmer the water till it reduces to 50 ml.
Strain and drink.
- To Improve Appetite
Drink juice of kachnar leaves.
- For Tumors, Cysts & Fibroids
Boil 5 grams of dry bark or 10 grams of fresh bark in 400 ml of water till the water is reduced to 100 ml. Strain and drink.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this hub is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies, supplements or starting a new health regime.
References
- http://ijlpr.com/admin/php/uploads/139_pdf.pdf
- http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/DPL-vol2-iss5/DPL-2010-2-5-330-334.pdf
- http://www.academicjournals.org/ajpp/pdf/pdf2011/29%20Sept/Sharma%20et%20al.pdf
- http://www.jyoungpharm.in/article.asp?issn=0975-1483;year=2009;volume=1;issue=1;spage=36;epage=41;aulast=Golwala;type=0
- http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/124499
- http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/3/1_MeetingAbstracts/A64
- http://www.indexscholar.com/?record=1138749
- http://www.greenpharmacy.info/article.asp?issn=0973-8258;year=2009;volume=3;issue=1;spage=70;epage=74;aulast=Ghaisas
- http://www.ijppsjournal.com/Vol5Suppl2/6808.pdf
- http://www.japtr.org/article.asp?issn=2231-4040;year=2011;volume=2;issue=2;spage=132;epage=134;aulast=Mali;type=0
- http://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2009;volume=41;issue=5;spage=227;epage=232;aulast=Rajani
- http://www.academia.edu/3442043/Phytochemical_screening_and_antimicrobial_activity_of_Bauhinia_variegata_Linn
- http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=rjphyto.2011.89.97&org=10
- http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221705120_Spectrum_of_Pharmacological_Activities_from_Bauhinia_variegata_A_Review
Some of Mt Other Hubs On Medicinal Plants
- Charoli Or Chironji - The Indian Medicinal Plant - Its Health Benefits, Nutrients, Uses And Recipes
Charoli or chironji is an Indian medicinal plant whose seeds are used in sweet desserts and cuisine. They are also used in Ayurveda. Read to learn about its health benefits, nutrients, uses and more... - Flame Of the Forest - Butea monosperma - Palash Tree - Some Uses And Health Benefits
Flame of the forest, Butea monosperma, Palash, Dhak, Bengal kino, Bino kino, Parrot tree ... One tree, various names, as varied as its health benefits. Read on for more on this amazing tree... - The Indian Medicinal Plant - Amaltas Or Cassia fistula
Amaltas or cassia fistula is an Indian medicinal tree that is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Learn about the amaltas tree and its many health benefits... - Flame Of The Forest - Delonix regia - The Gulmohar Tree
Read all about the gulmohar tree or the commonly called flame of the forest tree. - Sahjan Or Moringa oleifera - Nutrition And Health Benefits
Sahjan or Moringa oleifera is a medicinal plant that is not only a nutritional powerhouse but has incredible health benefits. Learn about the many nutrient and health benefits of Sahjan or Moringa... - Flame Of The Forest - Spathodea - African Tulip Tree
Spathodea, Flame of the forest, African tulip tree, Pichkari, Nandi flame are the names of the same tree. Learn about the various facets of this wonderful tree and its medicinal properties and uses... - Sadabahar, Periwinkle Plant Or Vinca Rosea - Health Benefits and Uses
Sadabahar, Periwinkle or Vinca rosea is a medicinal plant that is very easy to grow. It has several varieties that can also be grown for ornamental purposes. Read about the health benefits of sadabahar in this article...
Bauhinia Tree(Butterfly Tree or Orchid Tree)
© 2013 Rajan Singh Jolly
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Comments
- AUTHOR
thelyricwriter, nature is abundant and good to know you appreciate the bounties that it offers. Thanks for the visit and sharing.
Rajan, another great article to the collection. I'm always learning because many of the hubs your write on, I never knew that they had so many benefits. Great resourceful information. Voted up, useful, interesting, and shared on FB.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Indian Chef.
Rajan, I must admit you do a wonderful research before publishing hub. Again a very informative hub about the ayurvedic and other uses of this beautiful tree. Voting it up, sharing and awesome and twitting.
- AUTHOR
@moonlake-thanks for the read and sharing.
@Thelma-glad you liked the info.Thanks for appreciating and sharing.
Another very informative hub, Rajan. I surely learned a lot from you. I did not know that you can eat this orchid. I´m not sure if I have seen this tree in the Philippines. I will widely open my eyes for this. I would like to plant this orchids in my garden. Thanks for sharing. Voted up and shared. Have a nice day!
What a beautiful tree and how nice it also has health benefits. What a pleasure it would be if we could grow one here. Voted up and shared.
- AUTHOR
@Bill-good to note that you found this article informative. Thanks for the read and sharing.
@Mary-glad you appreciate the info. Thank you for all the votes.
@Eddy-it's always a pleasure to see you here. Thanks.
@Peggy-glad you like the info. I appreciate your reading and sharing it.
@Margaret-thank you for stopping by and the read and sharing.
@livingsta-thanks for coming by to read and share. Much appreciated.
@Patricia-always a pleasure to have your comments and see you visit. Thanks.
@Rasma-thanks for reading and sharing.
Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative hub. Passing this on.
Hi rajan jolly
I did not know of all of these healthful benefits of this tree. It seems to be a pharmacy all on its own. And the lovely blooms are too lovely to dine on I think.
thank you for sharing this information with us. Angels are on the way to you this afternoon. ps
Interesting. So much exists around us that we do not know of. So many plants and trees and herbs and weeds that are truly beneficial. Thank you for sharing this with us Rajan. Voted up and sharing!
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Isn't it wonderful that something so beautiful can also be so full of medicinal properties? Thanks for another wonderful hub highlighting nature's bounty. Voted up, useful, interesting and beautiful - and sharing.
This is fascinating information about a tree that I have never seen nor knew that parts of it were edible and used for health purposes. Up, useful and interesting votes and will share and pin.
So wonderful as always rajan. Well presented, interesting and so very useful. Voted up as always .
Eddy.,
Yet again Rajan, a wonderful hub...I have never heard of this beautiful tree. I love reading your hubs because they are so chock full of information and interesting facts.
Voted up, awesome, and interesting.
Hi rajan. What a great find this is. I had never heard of the Kachnar Tree but what great medicinal and health benefits this tree has. Thanks for another great education. Voted up, shared, etc.... Have a great weekend.
- AUTHOR
@Devika-thanks.
@Aurelio-I would believe herbal shops would carry orchid tree extracts.
@Bill-I appreciate your reading and commenting. Thanks.
@mary-glad you like the info. Thanks for the read and share.
@MsDora-thanks for the visit and the kind words.
@Kathryn-it sure is a beautiful tree. I appreciate your visit and comments.
@teaches-thanks for appreciating.
@Audrey-its been used for its medicinal value since hundreds of years in Ayurveda. Thanks for reading.
Orchids are beautiful. I know people tend to grow them to appreciate their beauty. This is the first time that I have heard about its medicinal values.
I don't know how you find all these wonderful benefits from nature, but I do appreciate the information.
I kept seeing that beautiful photo in my feed, and decided to check it out now. I enjoyed learning a little about this tree. The flowers are stunning.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Rajan. Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Kathryn
Orchid, I thought, were especially for decorative beauty. Never even know it had health benefits. You teach us so many useful lessons, Rajan. God bless you!
You constantly amaze me with your topics for Hubs, and how you present them! When I first moved to S. Florida in 1965, one could see a lot of Orchid trees growing here. I had a large one in the front yard of the house we bought. The blossoms were purple and just beautiful. The I began to notice the winters here became colder. We had a few freezes, and the Orchid trees began to die, mine included. I won't plant another one because our winters do seem to be getting colder each year. Climate change, maybe???
You did a lot of research for this Hub and it shows. Voted it UP and shared all around.
Very interesting...I had no idea at all that you could eat this. Once again you are a fountain of knowledge and I thank you for it.
blessings this weekend,
bill
I travel frequently to SE Asia and have never seen this tree. I certainly would have remembered it because of its beautiful flowers. I suspect you can probably buy the extract in herbalist shops here in U.S. Voting this Up and Interesting.
Kachnar Or Orchid Tree And Its Health Benefits, such an informative hub, most interesting and always a new lesson forme
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