Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata), of the Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) family. Small deciduous tree with two-lobed leaves and showy orchid-like flowers; native range: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, in sub-Himalayan tracts. Globally recognized as kanchanara in Sanskrit, kachnar in Hindi, kachnar in Arabic, and mountain ebony, camel's foot tree, variegated bauhinia in English. The part used is stem bark; flower buds. Grey astringent bark; large fragrant pink-purple flowers; the buds eaten as a vegetable.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ORCHID TREE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- orchid tree
- Scientific name
- Bauhinia variegata L.
- Family
- Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae)
Form
- Part used
- stem bark; flower buds
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- astringent · bitter (kashaya, tikta)
- Unani
- astringent · bitter
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- cooling (sheeta)
- Unani
- cold & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- stomach · intestines · liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- kaphahara, gandamala-granthihara (resolves scrofula and goitre), shothahara, grahi (astringent, antidiarrhoeal), raktastambhaka (haemostatic), vranaropana (wound-healing)
- Unani
- qabiz (astringent), mohallil-e-warm (resolvent of swellings), habis-ud-dam (styptic)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- constipation and severe vata dryness (its astringency)
- Toxicity
- none of note
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