Khadira or Acacia catechu commonly known as Black cutch is a medium sized, thorny deciduous tree known for its potent medicinal properties for generations. Khadira is considered as the best remedy for the treatment of skin disorders in Ayurveda. The use of Khadira as tanning agent (cutch) in India is believed to go back as far as history relates. In the 17th Century, a European writer first described A. catechu as ‘cacho’ and mentioned it as being exported from Cambay to Malacca. The leaves, bark, and heartwood of Khadira possesses broad spectral pharmacological activities and are used in various systems like Chinese medicine where it is used for healing ulcers, weeping skin diseases, oral ulcers, with bleeding and traumatic injuries.
The dried bark of Khadira also known as Katha or Karangali is widely used in the treatment of passive diarrhoea either alone or in combination with cinnamon or opium. The bark in combination with other drugs is prescribed for snakebite. The water decoction of Acacia catechu is widely consumed as a health drink especially in Kerala and other south Indian states. It is believed that the water decoction can purify blood, improve skin texture and boost the body’s defence mechanism.
Khadhira is a multifunctional drug which is mostly used in gastrointestinal tract disorders and skin disorders. It is used for treating diseases like diarrhoea, swelling of the nose and throat, dysentery, swelling of the colon (colitis), bleeding, indigestion, osteoarthritis, cough, obesity, worms, diabetes, fever, vitiligo, swelling, wound, bleeding disorders, anaemia, eruptive boils, filaria and is used to promote longevity. The plant is extremely beneficial in vaginal diseases, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia etc. for which its decoction is commonly used. Khadira paste is applied directly to the skin for skin diseases, haemorrhoids, and traumatic injuries; to stop bleeding; and for dressing wounds. Catechu is included in mouthwashes and gargles used for gum disease (gingivitis), pain and swelling inside the mouth (stomatitis), sore throat, and mouth ulcers, hoarseness of voice.
Heartwood of Khadira is used to yield concentrated aqueous extract called as cutch or Khayer gum or Kutch. Kutch (extract) is having pharmacological effects like immune-modulatory, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, anti-diarrhoeal, hepatoprotective activities.
