Khair(Acacia catechu) health benefits

Catechu or Cutch tree(Khair) is a medium deciduous tree widely distributed in tropical countries and found throughout India. The parts of Khair or Khadira tree used for medicinal purpose are twig, bark and wood. It is used in preparation of Khadiraristha. Khair heartwood is boiled and processed to produce Kattha which is used in Paan.

Acacia catechu has powerful astringent and antioxidant properties.

1. Latin Name: Acacia catechu
2. Family: Mimosaceae
3. Sanskrit: Gayatri
4. Assamese: Kharira, Khara, Khayar
5. Bengali: Khera, Khayera
6. English: Black catechu, Cutch tree
7. Guajarati: Khair, Kathe, Kher
8. Hindi: Khair
9. Kannada: Kaggali, Kaggalinara, Kachinamara, Koggigida
10. Kashmiri: Kath
11. Malayalam: Karingali
12. Marathi: Khaira, Khair
13. Oriya: Khaira
14. Punjabi: Khair
15. Tamil: Karungali, Karungkali
16. Telugu: Chandra, Kaviri
17. Urdu: Chanbe Kaath
18. Unani: Safed Kattha

Acacia catechu medicinal uses in ayurveda

• Cold and cough

  Prepare decoction of bark mixed with milk.

• Piles

  Apply Katha lemon slice and taken regularly empty stomach.

• Improving breast milk

  Prepare decoction of katha with ela and drink.

• Mouth ulcers, boils, skin eruptions

  Apply katha on the affected areas.

• Gum problems, Bleedibg gums, Spongy gums

  Mix Catechu, Alum (Phitkari) and myrrh (gum resin) and cloves (Laung) to make a tooth powder. Massage gums with this powder.

• Colic

  Grind Catechu, Randia ulginosa and itrus medica. Mix in water and drink.

• Diarrhoea

  MIx Catechu (1/4 teaspoonful) powder and Dalchini powder. Take with honey.

• Dry cough

  Mix Catechu powder (1/8 teaspoonful), turmeric powder (1/8 teaspoonful). Take with honey.

• Sore throat, Hoarseness of voice

  Chew Catechu to get relief from sore throat and loss of voice.