English Name - Cutch tree, Catechu.
Ayurvedic Names - Khadira, Kadara, Somavalka, Gaayatri, Dantdhaavan,
Kantaki, Raktasaara (heartwood extract).
Other Names - Khair, Kaat, Katthaa (heartwood extract),
Karunkaali (bark), Kalippakku, Kadiram. Katthakkaambu, Kaasukkatti
Health
Benefits of Catechu (Khair)
The
heart wood and bark of the tree are used in traditional medicine. A wood
extract called catechu is used in traditional medicine for sore throats and
diarrhea. The concentrated aqueous extract, known as khayer gum or cutch, is
astringent. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine. In ayurveda, it is used for
rasayana (rejuvenation treatments). It is also used for its actions like
anti-dyslipidemic, anthelminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diuretic,
anti-pruritic, coolant, taste promoting, enhancing digestion and curing skin
disorders. The tree's seeds are a good source of protein.
·
Cutch from wood—
powerful astringent (in urinary and vaginal discharge), antidiarrhoeal,
haemostatic; used for treating excessive mucous discharges, haemorrhages,
relaxed conditions of gums, throat and mouth, stomatitis, irritable bowel; also
used as an antileprotic drug.
·
Along with other
therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the
use of dried pieces of heartwood in inflammations, skin diseases and urinary
disorders, recommends its use as a blood purifier, in diseases caused by lipid
disorders.
·
Cutch (the
concentrated extract) - contains tannins, catechin, phlobatannins including
catechutannic acid; flavonoids including quercetin, quercitrin, fisetin; gums,
resins, pigments.
·
The gum from
Khair Tree is a good substitute for Gum arabic.
·
The saline
extract of seeds shows leuco-agglutinating activity against leukaemic cells. It
agglutinates white cells from patients with different types of leukaemia. The
activity is inhibited by simple sugars.
·
Root extract
shows antibacterial and fungicidal activity.
·
The heartwood
contains a hepatoprotective principle—cyanidanol. Astringent and antibacterial
properties of catechu result from its high tannin content. Gambrine in pale
catechu shows hypotensive effects.
·
Fisetin in black
catechu and catechin in black and pale catechu may protect against liver
damage; catechin is also thought to protect against experimentally induced
ulcers in animals; catechin (cianidanol) is associated with fatal anaemia.
Methylcatechin, one of the major metabolites of catechin, inhibits the binding
of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells; thus, the catechin found in
catechumay reduce atherosclerosis.
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