Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Khadira खदिर
Senegalia catechu · Fabaceae
Also known as: Acacia catechu, Katha, Cutch Tree, Khadir Khast, Khair, Kher
Part used: Heartwood
Khadira (Senegalia catechu) is the cutch tree, whose heartwood extract is Ayurveda's foremost drug for skin disease. Known as Khadirasara or catechu, it is intensely astringent and is used for chronic skin conditions, mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and diarrhoea. It is also the katha of paan.
| 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: Senegalia catechu
- Part used: Heartwood
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Heartwood powder 1–3 g or decoction; Khadirarishta is the common preparation.
Khadira in other languages
Introduction
Khadira (Senegalia catechu) is Ayurveda's premier herb for the skin — its heartwood, the source of Katha (catechu), purifies the blood and clears chronic skin disease. It is the base of Khadirarishta.
Classification
Of the Fabaceae family, Khadira heads the Kushtaghna (anti-skin-disease) dravyas. Its bitter-astringent taste and cooling potency clear Kapha-Pitta, purify the blood and dry excess secretions.
Uses & benefits
Khadira is the foremost Kushtaghna drug, used in chronic skin disease, itching and non-healing ulcers, and as a blood purifier over long courses. Its astringency also makes it a dental drug, used for gum disease and loose teeth as a decoction or in Khadirarishta.
Khadira for chronic skin disease
The foremost Kushtaghna drug in the classical texts, taken over long courses for eczema, psoriasis and chronic itching.
Khadira for mouth ulcers
Its astringency makes it the classical gargle for stomatitis, and it is the katha spread on paan leaves.
Khadira for bleeding gums
Used in tooth powders and gargles for spongy, bleeding gums.
Khadira for diarrhoea
Strongly astringent, used in chronic loose stool and dysentery.
Khadira for wounds
Applied as a powder or wash to slow-healing wounds and ulcers.
Khadira for sore throat
Sucked slowly or used as a gargle for throat irritation and hoarseness.
Khadira for diabetes
Named among the Pramehahara drugs, used within compounds.
Khadira for cough
Used in Kasa where the cough is associated with throat irritation.
Khadira for obesity
A Medohara drug used in disordered fat metabolism.
Khadira in Khadirarishta
The lead drug of the classical fermented preparation for skin disease, one of the most-prescribed Arishtas.
Dosage — how much to take
Heartwood powder 1–3 g or decoction; Khadirarishta is the common preparation. 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 Khadira?
The citations held for Khadira in this catalogue are: Sushruta Samhita (Kushtha Chikitsa); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Vatadi Varga).
What does the Sushruta Samhita record about Khadira?
Cited as best for skin diseases. Reference: Sushruta Samhita — Kushtha Chikitsa.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Khadira?
Described as the chief Kushtaghna dravya. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Vatadi Varga.
What is Khadira traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Khadira is the foremost Kushtaghna drug, used in chronic skin disease, itching and non-healing ulcers, and as a blood purifier over long courses. Its astringency also makes it a dental drug, used for gum disease and loose teeth as a decoction or in Khadirarishta.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Khadira?
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 Khadira classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Khadira carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Khadira is used medicinally?
The part used is Heartwood.
How much Khadira is taken, and how?
Heartwood powder 1–3 g or decoction; Khadirarishta is the common preparation. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Khadira be avoided?
Generally safe in classical doses; use under guidance in pregnancy.
Where does Khadira grow?
Khadira is a thorny deciduous tree of dry forests and plains across India, its dark heartwood yielding catechu.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Vatadi Varga
Described as the chief Kushtaghna dravya. - Charaka & Sushruta Samhita — Kushtha Chikitsa
Cited as best for skin diseases.
Modern research
-
Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.: A Review on Bioactive Compounds and Their Health Promoting Functionalities
(see source). Molecules (2022)
A review of Acacia catechu (Khadira) documenting its catechin-rich antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and oral-health functionalities.
View study doi:10.3390/plants11223091 -
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Acacia catechu and Its Phytochemical Analysis
(see source). Indian Journal of Microbiology (2011)
A study reporting antimicrobial activity of Acacia catechu (Khadira) extracts against oral and enteric pathogens including Streptococcus mutans.
View study doi:10.1007/s12088-011-0061-1
Safety & precautions
Generally safe in classical doses; use under guidance in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Khadira is a thorny deciduous tree of dry forests and plains across India, its dark heartwood yielding catechu.
Frequently asked questions
What is Khadira used for?
Khadira is Ayurveda's principal skin drug, used for eczema, psoriasis and chronic itching, and also for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, sore throat and diarrhoea. It is the lead ingredient of Khadirarishta.
What is the dose of Khadira?
Heartwood extract 500 mg – 2 g per day, or decoction 40–80 ml. As Khadirarishta, 15–30 ml with an equal quantity of water after meals, twice daily.
Is katha in paan the same as Khadira?
Yes. Katha is the heartwood extract of Senegalia catechu, the same substance used medicinally as Khadirasara. Its astringency is what makes the mouth pucker when you eat paan.
How long does Khadirarishta take to work on skin?
Chronic skin conditions are treated over months in classical practice. Expect eight to twelve weeks before assessing effect, taken continuously alongside dietary measures.
What is Khadira called in Hindi?
Khair or Katha. In English it is cutch tree or black catechu. The botanical name was revised from Acacia catechu to Senegalia catechu, so older sources use the former.
Are there side effects of Khadira?
Well tolerated at classical doses. Strongly astringent, so prolonged use may cause constipation and dryness. Consult a physician in pregnancy. Very large doses can irritate the stomach.
Is Khadira good for teeth?
It is a standard component of Ayurvedic tooth powders for bleeding gums and mouth ulcers, used as a powder or gargle. It supplements dental care rather than replacing it.
