Kanchanar or Mountain Ebony (Bauhinia variegate Linn.) of family Caesalpinacea is a medium-sized, deciduous tree which is found in the Sub Himalayan tract from the Indus eastward and throughout the forests of India and Burma. This tree is grown as ornamental tree in gardens and along the roadsides. The plant is commonly known as Kanchnara because of having golden yellow coloured flowers. The leaves of the tree are shaped like a camel’s hoof print. It bears beautiful aromatic pink, white or yellow flowers in spring season. It is a nitrogen fixing tree that helps to enrich the soil fertility. Kachnara has edible leaves and flowers as its leaves and buds are eaten as vegetable.
Bauhinia tree parts have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, pain reducing, swelling reducing, cytotoxic, fever reducing and thyroid hormone regulating properties. In Ayurveda, the tree is used extensively for treating skin and glandular diseases, leprosy, intestinal worms, tumors, wounds, ulcers, inflammations, scrofula (glandular swelling), haemorrhoids, haemoptysis, cough, menorrhagia and bleeding disorders. It is considered best for treating diseases of lymphatic system and glands. Ayurvedic medicine, like Kanchnar guggulu is used in the treatment of Hypothyroidism.
The juice of the bark is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea and other stomach disorders. A paste of the bark is useful in the treatment of cuts and wounds, skin diseases, scrofula and ulcers. It can also be used in cough conditions, asthma, abdominal distention, also act as a gargle for sore throats, prevent from skin diseases, or internally as a remedy for diarrhea. It is helpful in managing skin discoloration. Its powdered bark is traditionally used in skin disease.
For treating leprosy, scrofula, ulcers and other skin diseases the decoction of bark is given. In scrofulous enlargements of cervical glands, the bark powder is given with dried ginger powder and rice water. Decoction of flower buds is given to treat bleeding disorders such as abnormally heavy or prolonged menstruation, bleeding piles, blood in urine, and bleeding from mucous surface. The flowers have laxative action. Leaves are nutritive, anti-diabetic. They are used both internally and externally. So indeed a drug of such immense therapeutic qualities are admired and made in use in different formulation in Ayurveda and other healthcare system.
