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Bauhinia variegata
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine (1885)
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine (1885)
Botanical name:
Bauhinia variegata (syn. B. chinensis, B. decora, Phanera variegata), B. purpurescens
B. racemosa (B. parviflora) is also used in Unani.
Two varieties were mentioned in Ayurvedic classics; purple or rose-red variety and white or yellowish variety.
Several other species of Bauhinia are also used in medicine (incl. B. malabarica, B. tormentosa) and may be synonymous.
Parts used:
1. Stem bark–Kanchanara (most used)
2. Buds–Pita Kanchanara
3. Roots
4. Seeds
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter
Bauhinia variegata (syn. B. chinensis, B. decora, Phanera variegata), B. purpurescens
B. racemosa (B. parviflora) is also used in Unani.
Two varieties were mentioned in Ayurvedic classics; purple or rose-red variety and white or yellowish variety.
Several other species of Bauhinia are also used in medicine (incl. B. malabarica, B. tormentosa) and may be synonymous.
Parts used:
1. Stem bark–Kanchanara (most used)
2. Buds–Pita Kanchanara
3. Roots
4. Seeds
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter
Uses:
1. Clears Phlegm-Heat, Eliminates Toxin, Resolves Masses:
-all types of phlegm-heat nodules, swellings and growths
-Scrofula, Goiter (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia)
-Glandular Swellings, Lymphadenitis, immobile masses, tumors, cancer
-bark is most used, but buds are also used for tumors and masses
2. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-various types of Bleeding associated with heat
-especially useful for Menorrhagia
3. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Traditionally for Leprosy, chronic skin diseases, and Gonorrhea
-antidote to Snake Venom (Unani)
4. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery
-Prolapses, Hemorrhoids
-its astringent effect helps consolidate Bones in Osteoporosis
-bark is most used, but buds are also used for Diarrhea and Hemorrhoids
5. Kills Worms and Parasites:
-used for Worms (Bark, also buds)
-Malaria
6. Externally:
-as a gargle for Sore Throat (flower, bark)
-topically for inflamed and oozing skin conditions
Dose:
Bark in Decoction: 20–30 grams (API)
Comment:
1. Root strengthens Spleen, clears Damp and is used for indigestion and as a carminative, and has been used for Obesity. In TCM it is used for acute Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis.
2. Buds are used for Tumors, Hemorrhoids, bleeding including Menorrhagia, and for Diarrhea and Worms.
3. Ethanol extract of the seeds has shown anti-cancer activity. This is an important medicines for masses, tumors and Cancer in Ayurvedic medicine.
Bark in Decoction: 20–30 grams (API)
Comment:
1. Root strengthens Spleen, clears Damp and is used for indigestion and as a carminative, and has been used for Obesity. In TCM it is used for acute Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis.
2. Buds are used for Tumors, Hemorrhoids, bleeding including Menorrhagia, and for Diarrhea and Worms.
3. Ethanol extract of the seeds has shown anti-cancer activity. This is an important medicines for masses, tumors and Cancer in Ayurvedic medicine.
Main Combinations:
1. Scrofula, Lymphadenitis:
i. Bauhinia bark with Ginger (Chakradatta)
ii. Bauhinia, Frankincense, Chebula
iii. Bauhinia with Bdellium, Boerhaavia, Triphala, Trikatu
iv. Bauhinia bark, Triphala, Trikatu, Crataeva bark, Cardamon, Cinnamon, Cinnamon leaf, Bdellium (equal in weight to the rest) (as in Kanchanara Guggulu)
2. Uterine Fibroids and Ovarian Cysts, Bauhinia with Myrrh, Turmeric, Saraca
3. Diarrhea, Bauhinia with Belleric Myrobalan, Picrorrhiza
4. Dysentery, Bauhinia bark paste with Black Pepper
5. Heat-type Bleeding:
i. Bauhinia with Madder
ii. Bauhinia with Neem, Red Sandalwood, Chebula, Barberry extract, Rose, Gentian (as in Habb-e-Musaffi-e-Khoon of Unani)
6. Skin diseases from Heat or Damp-Heat, with Madder, Neem, Boerhaavia
7. Osteoporosis, Back Pain, Bauhinia, Bdellium, Frankincense, Psoralea, Ginger, Withania
8. Gargle for Sore Throat, with Pomegranate flowers, Gum Arabic
Major Formulas:
Habb-e-Musaffi-e-Khoon
Kanchanara Guggulu
Cautions:
1. Avoid in Pregnancy
2. Not used in Constipation
Toxicity:
No toxicity was noted in acute and repeated doses.
–Acute and repeated dose toxicity studies of methanol extract of Bauhinia variegata leaves
Main Preparations used:
1. Avoid in Pregnancy
2. Not used in Constipation
Toxicity:
No toxicity was noted in acute and repeated doses.
–Acute and repeated dose toxicity studies of methanol extract of Bauhinia variegata leaves
Main Preparations used:
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