Cutch tree (Khair)
Also known as
Latin : Acacia catechu
English : Cutch tree
Sanskrit : Khadirah
Hindi : Khair
Marathi : Khair
Tamil : Karunkali
Telugu : Podalimanu
Malayalam : Karinnali
Kannada : Kalu
"Which strengthens teeth" is the meaning of the Sanskrit word "Khadirah�.
How it looks�It is a moderate sized woody tree with dark greyish or brownish rough bark and hooked short spines. The leaves are bipinnately compound with a Large gland near the
middle of the main rachis. The flowers are pale yellow and the fruits are flat, brown, shiny pods enclosing 3-10 seeds each.
"Cutch" or "Kath" is the gummy extract of the wood which is available brown and brittle form. It is shiny on breaking and forms crystal-like pieces.
What we use�Bark, heartwood, kath
What it does�Heartwood�anthelmintic, cooling, antiseptic, antidysenteric, anfipyretic, haemostatic, haematinic, anti-inflammatory.
Kath�thermogenic, digestive, appetiser, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, depurative and tonic.
How we use it�
In blood in sputum�Gargle with a decoction of the bark and drink an ounce of it twice a day to stop blood appearing in sputum.
Tooth care�Boiling the powder of the heartwood in sesame oil and using it for gargling keeps all gum, tooth and other oral diseases at bay.
In
dry cough�Mix a tsp of the powder of the heartwood with a cup of curd and swallow this preparation to soothe the throat. Khadir is excellent for all throat and voice
disturbances. Hold the heartwood powder with some oil in the mouth for 5 minutes everyday.
In all
skin diseases�It is a celebrated herbal drug for the cure of all skin diseases ranging from psoriasis and leprosy to eczema and common skin rashes. For best results,
make a decoction of khadir heartwood and amla powder and drink an ounce twice a day.
Water boiled with khadir powder should be used for drinking, bathing and washing the patches.
In
tooth disorders�Gargle with the decoction of khadir everyday to keep free of dental caries, gum infections and tooth disorders.
In
diabetes�Take an ounce of the decoction of Khadira and arecanut every morning to regulate urination and keep blood sugar levels under control.
In
toxic states�In suspicion of any poisoning, drink water with the root powder of khadir and powdered neem seeds immediately.
Modern Study
Hepato protective activity of ethyl acetate extract of acacia catechu was demonstrated in experimental studies on albino rats in Trivandrum.
