Witnessed by: Unani
Silk-cotton tree (kateera gum) (Cochlospermum religiosum), of the Bixaceae family. Small deciduous tree with lobed leaves, large yellow flowers and silky-cottony seed floss; native range: dry hills and open forest of the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia. Globally recognized as kateera in Urdu, galgal · kumbi in Hindi, and yellow silk-cotton tree, buttercup tree; kateera gum in English. The part used is gum (exudate). A clear, pale, tasteless gum swelling to a bland mucilage in water.
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.
KATEERA GUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- silk-cotton tree (kateera gum)
- Scientific name
- Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston
- Family
- Bixaceae
Form
- Part used
- gum (exudate)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Unani
- mucilaginous · bland
Temperature
- Unani
- cold & moist (1st degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- stomach · intestines
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Unani
- mulattif (demulcent), musakkin-e-hararat (refrigerant), soothing to inflamed mucous membranes
Cautions
- Contraindications
- cold, phlegmatic and loose-bowelled states, being cooling and moist
- Toxicity
- no toxicity of note
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