Kanchanar (Bauhinia variegata) - Plant Profile
Kanchanar is a lovely deciduous tree belonging to the Fabaceae family that grows to be about 15-30 feet tall. This tree contains large, heart-shaped leaves which are split down the center to their base. The gorgeous, bright pink or white, five-petaled flowers are sure to catch your eye.
Kanchanar is famously used in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine for its ability to reduce Kapha dosha within the body and tissues.
For those who aren't familiar with Kapha, this dosha encompasses the elements of Water and Earth, leading to a very steady, solid, and heavy constitution.
When Kapha becomes imbalanced it can lead to circulatory stagnation in the body. This type of imbalance commonly leads to lymphatic congestion, swollen glands, fibroids, weight gain, and lipoma formations. Now, let's jump back to Kanchanar!
Kanchanar's qualities are dry, light, astringent, bitter, hot, and pungent which are all the opposites of Kapha's qualities, helping to restore balance in the body.
In Ayurveda, this herb directly works on the Meda Dhatu (fatty tissues) and Kapha dosha, getting right down to the root of growths in the body, while the bark supports proper lymphatic function and begins to move stagnant accumulated fluids to dispel them out.
Studies have shown that Kanchanar is effective at targeting growths in the body. The herb's dry and astringent qualities constrict and dry growths out, while its hot and pungent qualities break them down. In addition to growths, Kanchanar breaks down Kaphaja Ama (toxins) in the tissues.
The constituents which make up Kanchanar are...
Tannins (responsible for astringent effect)
Flavonoids (Astragalin: anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
Glycosides (Quercetin: anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral)
Phytosterols (cholesterol reducing)
So, to wrap this all up, Kanchanar is a beneficial herb when there is lymphatic congestion, gynecological abnormal growths, accumulation of toxins which result in skin disorders, diarrhea, respiratory congestion with excess phlegm, and weepy mucus.
Kanchanar is also often formulated as Kanchanara Guggulu to facilitate an impact that goes deeper into the tissues, and is utilized for its Lekhana "scraping effect" on hardened tissue buildups.
*Guggulu's should not be taken for longer than 3 months and always consult with your health care practitioner.*