Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND AOUSHADHI PRAYOG OF ACACIA CATECHU WILLD. WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NIGHANTUS

Dr. Abdur Rahaman*, Dr. Binita Debnath, Dr. Ushasi Ghosh Chaudhury and Dr. Nabanita Mahakal

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Abstract

Plants are the prime source of ayurvedic medicines. A wide variety of plants are gifted to our nature and maximum of them have significant medicinal properties, we are using them to cure various ailments and diseases since the ancient time. Still many herbs are not explored and need extensive research of them to prove safety and efficacy. One of such well known plant is Acacia catechu Willd. which is popularly known as the Khadira & Cutch tree. It is an evergreen tropical tree. Different parts of it are used as medicine as well as it is also proven to have Antimicrobial, Anti-diabetic, Antibacterial, Antidiarrheal, Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities etc. It is also useful in treatment of skin disorders, diabetes, diarrhoea, fever, rheumatism, worm manifestation etc. It is reported that it contains various alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds which have conferred this plant with plentiful amount of medicinal potential. Vedas and various ancient ayurvedic Samhitas like Charaka Samhita, Sushurut Samhita, Nighantu Granthas viz. Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raj Nighantu, Madanpal Nighantu, Shaligram Nighantu, Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Bhavprakash Nighantu, had described Acacia catechu Willd and its ayurvedic properties and therapeutic uses in detail. This present review article extensively deals with compilation of the information regarding Khadir from ancient literature and latest discoveries.

Keywords: Review, Acacia catechu, Khadira, Nighantu, Pharmacological activities.