Photo: Jyotsna Nag / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Karanja करञ्ज
Pongamia pinnata · Fabaceae
Also known as: Millettia pinnata, Indian Beech, Karanj Ki Chhal
Part used: Seed
Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) is the Indian beech, whose seed oil is Ayurveda's principal external drug for skin disease. It is used for scabies, eczema, ringworm, wounds and joint pain. The oil is bitter and strongly antiseptic, and is also now grown widely as a biodiesel crop.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Pongamia pinnata
- Part used: Seed
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Karanja oil externally for skin; seed/bark in formulas under supervision.
Karanja in other languages
Introduction
Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) is a classical skin-and-wound herb whose seed oil clears stubborn skin conditions, wounds and parasites. Bitter and penetrating, it is often paired with neem.
Classification
Of the Fabaceae family, Karanja is grouped among the Kushtaghna (anti-skin-disease) and Krimighna (anti-parasitic) dravyas. Its pungent-bitter taste and heating potency clear Kapha-Vata and cleanse.
Uses & benefits
Karanja is a skin and wound drug. Its oil is applied in eczema, scabies, ringworm and non-healing ulcers, and the seed is used internally in worm infestation and chronic skin disease. It is a cleansing, drying drug rather than a soothing one.
Karanja oil for scabies
Its classical use. Applied over the affected skin, it is one of the standard Ayurvedic treatments for parasitic skin infestation.
Karanja for eczema
Applied in chronic itching and scaling, often combined with Nimba oil.
Karanja for ringworm
Its antifungal reputation makes it a traditional application for dermatophyte infections.
Karanja for wounds and ulcers
Applied to slow-healing wounds and ulcers as an antiseptic and drying agent.
Karanja for joint pain
The oil is used in massage for arthritic pain, and the leaf is applied as a warm poultice.
Karanja for piles
Used in Arshas both internally within compounds and applied locally.
Karanja for worms
The seed is a Krimighna drug, though its external use is far more common.
Karanja bark for diarrhoea
Astringent and used in loose stool and dysentery.
Karanja for dandruff
The oil applied to the scalp for flaking and fungal scalp conditions.
Karanja in classical formulations
Present in Karanja Taila and most of the classical skin-disease oils, usually alongside Nimba and Haridra.
Dosage — how much to take
Karanja oil externally for skin; seed/bark in formulas under supervision. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Karanja?
The citations held for Karanja in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Karanja?
Described as Kushtaghna and Krimighna. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga.
What is Karanja traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Karanja is a skin and wound drug. Its oil is applied in eczema, scabies, ringworm and non-healing ulcers, and the seed is used internally in worm infestation and chronic skin disease. It is a cleansing, drying drug rather than a soothing one.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Karanja?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Karanja classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Karanja carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Karanja is used medicinally?
The part used is Seed.
How much Karanja is taken, and how?
Karanja oil externally for skin; seed/bark in formulas under supervision. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Karanja be avoided?
The oil is for external use; internal use only under guidance.
Where does Karanja grow?
Karanja is a medium tree common along roadsides and waterways across India, valued for shade and oil.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga
Described as Kushtaghna and Krimighna. - Classical Kushtha texts — Kushtha Chikitsa
Cited for skin disease and wounds.
Modern research
-
Evaluation of wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant potential of Pongamia pinnata in Wistar rats
(see source). Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2016)
A study reporting Pongamia pinnata (Karanja) accelerated wound healing with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in Wistar rats.
View study doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.12.002
Safety & precautions
The oil is for external use; internal use only under guidance.
Where it grows
Karanja is a medium tree common along roadsides and waterways across India, valued for shade and oil.
Frequently asked questions
What is Karanja oil used for?
Karanja oil is used externally for scabies, eczema, ringworm, dandruff, slow-healing wounds and joint pain. It is bitter, strongly antiseptic and is one of the standard Ayurvedic skin oils alongside neem.
How do I apply Karanja oil?
Apply a thin layer to the affected area once or twice daily. It is often diluted in coconut or sesame oil, and frequently combined with neem oil. Patch test first — it is potent and occasionally irritating.
Can Karanja oil be taken internally?
Not casually. Its use is overwhelmingly external. Internal use of the seed is limited to classical compounds at controlled dose, since the seed contains karanjin and other compounds that are toxic in quantity.
Is Karanja the same as neem?
No, though they are used together constantly and both are bitter antiseptic oils. Karanja is Pongamia pinnata, neem is Azadirachta indica. Karanja oil is thicker and less pungent; the two are complementary rather than interchangeable.
What is Karanja called in Hindi?
Karanj or Kanji. In English it is Indian beech or pongam. The botanical name is sometimes given as Millettia pinnata in newer sources.
Are there side effects of Karanja oil?
Skin irritation and contact sensitivity occur, so patch test before wide use and dilute for sensitive skin. Keep away from eyes. Do not use on infants without a physician's direction, and do not swallow it.
Is Karanja good for hair?
It is used for dandruff and fungal scalp conditions rather than as a general hair oil — it is medicinal rather than cosmetic. For routine hair care, Bhringraj or coconut oil are the usual choices.
