Introduction

Kachnar tree (Bauhinia variegata) is a deciduous tree native to India and China. In India, it is widely found in Assam, central, eastern and south India. The bark of this tree is used for multiple medicinal purposes. 

Guggul, also known as Indian Myrrh, is the yellowish gum-resin obtained from the stem of the Guggul tree or Commiphora wightii. This tree is native to Pakistan, India, and Arabia. In India, it is distributed in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.^1,2 

The decoction obtained from the bark of the Kachnar tree and Guggulu is mixed along with other ingredients to produce Kanchanar guggulu. Kanchanar guggulu helps in the normal functioning of the lymphatic system and aids in the elimination of toxins from the body.³ 

Ingredients of Kanchanar guggulu: 

Kanchanar guggulu has a distinct odour and a bitter taste. It consists of about 12 ingredients. These include:⁴ 

• Kanchanar 
• Haritaki 
• Bibhitaka 
• Amalaki 
• Marica 
• Shunthi 
• Pippali 
• Ela or Suksmaila 
• Varuna 
• Tvak 
• Tejpatta 
• Guggulu shuddha 

Out of the above-mentioned ingredients, kanchanar and guggulu are the major ingredients. Kanchanar guggulu contains phytochemicals (plant-based derivatives) compounds like phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids, sterols, fatty acids, fixed oils, proteins, carbohydrates, glycosides, lactones, saponins, and terpenoids. 

Therapeutic Uses Of Kanchanar Guggulu: 

Kanchanar guggulu contains several active ingredients that have different medicinal properties and can be used in the treatment of various ailments.⁵ 

Benefits Of Kanchanar Guggulu 

Benefits Of Kanchanar Guggulu For Hypothyroidism: 

According to Ayurveda, excess kapha dosha and medha dhatu (excess fats) lead to an impairment in the function of pitta dosha, which might cause hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

• Kanchanar guggulu helps balance kapha and reduces medha dhatu. Thus, it  is effective in reducing the swelling in the neck and goitre. 

• Kanchanar guggulu contains properties like ruksha (dry), laghu (light), and ushna virya (hot potency). Thus, it is beneficial in the treatment of hypothyroidism.⁶

Also Read: 11 Home Remedies for Thyroid 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: 

• Due to its pachana (eliminating toxins from the body), deepana (balancing the digestive fire), and lekhana (scraping out excess tissues) properties, kanchanar guggulu is effective in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• It aids in reducing the size of cysts and stops the further growth of ovarian cysts. Kanchanar guggulu also enhances ovulation.⁷ 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Uterine Fibroids: 

Uterine fibroid is a common condition faced by women in their reproductive lives that might lead to different menstrual problems like menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and irregular periods. 

• Kanchanar guggulu helps in the proper functioning of the lymphatic system, aids in the elimination of toxins from the body, and helps balance the kapha dosha.

• This remedy is effective in the management of growths or tumors and aids in controlling bleeding.⁸ 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Cancer: 

Kanchanar guggulu contains a cytotoxic property by which it inhibits cell division and decreases cell proliferation. Hence, this Ayurvedic preparation might be effective in the treatment of cancer. ⁴ 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 

• Kanchanar Guggulu contains triphala and trikatu which have vitamin C. This aids in relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck.
• This helps relieve pressure and improve urination.⁹ 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Tonsillitis: 

• Tonsillitis is a common condition among children. 
• Kanchanar guggulu reduces the increased kapha and rakta doshas in the body. Hence, it is beneficial in decreasing the signs and symptoms of chronic tonsillitis.¹⁰ 

Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu for Lymph Node Swelling: 

• Lymph node swelling may occur due to bacterial and viral infections. They may occur in the neck, groin or armpit. 

Kanchanar guggulu contains antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties which make it an effective remedy for lymph node swellings.

• It is also helpful in reducing glandular swellings. ⁴ 

Other Benefits of Kanchanar Guggulu: 

Kanchanar guggulu is also helpful in the treatment of fistulas, leprosy, cysts, skin diseases, boils, liver cysts, polycystic kidney disease and other swellings in the body.³ 

Also Read: Chamomile – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Side Effects of Kanchanar Guggulu: 

Kanchanar guggulu might result in mild gastric discomfort in people having a sensitive stomach. Guggul might cause headaches, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, hiccups, stomach upset, allergic reactions, skin rashes, and itching when taken in large doses. ¹¹ 

Precautions and Warnings to be Taken With Kanchanar Guggulu: 

• Kanchanar guggulu is not to be taken by pregnant and lactating mothers.  
• For children, this preparation must be given only under medical supervision. 
• Guggul might retard blood clotting and result in bleeding in people with clotting disorders. 
• Guggul might result in an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol) in people with excess cholesterol levels.³ 

Also Read: Gokshura – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1) Is the Kachnar Tree Found Only in India? 

Bauhinia variegata is not only found in India but is also distributed in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. ¹² 

2) What are the Different Formulations of Guggulu? 

The different formulations of guggulu are Abha guggulu, Amrita guggulu, Abhyadi guggulu, Amritadi guggulu, Amrita guggulu dvitya, Amritadyo guggulu, Dwatrinshako guggulu, and Dashang guggulu. ¹³ 

3) Which Parts of the Kachnar Tree are Used for Medicinal Purposes? 

The stem bark, leaves, seeds, and flowers of the Kachnar tree are used for different medicinal purposes. ¹ 

4) What are the Other Names of Guggul? 

Common names of guggul are guggal, gugulipid, gum guggal, and gum guggulu. ² 

5) What are the Other Names of the Kachnar Tree? 

The common names of this tree include Camel’s foot tree, orchid tree, the ebony tree, butterfly ash, poor man’s orchid, and mountain ebony. ¹ 

6) Does Kanchanar Guggulu Have Antioxidant Properties? 

Antioxidants are substances that might protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. High levels of free radicals can cause harm to the body. The flavonoids and phenols present in Kanchanar guggulu contribute to their antioxidant property.⁷ 

Also Read: Sabudana – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

References:  

1. Planet Ayurveda. Kachnar (Bauhinia Variegata) – Properties, benefits and dosage. [Internet] Available from: https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/kachnar-bauhinia-variegata/ 

2. Vikaspedia. Guggul. [Internet] Available from: https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/post-harvest-technologies/natural-resins-and-gums-of-commercial-importance/guggul 

3. Planet Ayurveda. Kanchanar Guggulu- Benefits, usage, indications and dosage. [Internet] Available from: https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/post-harvest-technologies/natural-resins-and-gums-of-commercial-importance/guggul 

4. Prachi Tomar, Yadu Nandan Dey, Deepti Sharma, Manish Motiram Wanjari, Sudesh Gaidhani, Ankush Jadhav; Cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity of Kanchnar guggulu, an Ayurvedic formulation. Journal of integrative medicine. 2018 Nov 16 (6): 411-417 Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2095496418301006 

5. M. Sathiya; Scientific evaluation of antioxidants and anticancer activity of kanchanara guggulu vati by invitro methods. 2017 May. Available from: http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/5368/1/260417_261526057_Sathiya.pdf 

6. Darshana Khadtale, Minal Vaidya. Effect of Ayurvedic drug combination in management of hypothyroidism- A case study. International journal of research- Granthaalayah. 2020 8(7): 410-414 Available from: https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/38_IJRG20_B08_3596.html 

7. Jayshree Dawane, Vijaya Pandit, Kapil khade, Sonali Suryawanshi, Asmita wele, Madhuri Pawar, Supriya Bhalerao. Study the efficacy of herbal formulation Nisamalaki in animal model of polycystic ovarian disease syndrome. The ancient science of life. 2017 37(2): 86-92 Available from: https://www.ancientscienceoflife.org/article.asp?issn=0257-7941;year=2017;volume=37;issue=2;spage=86;epage=93;aulast=Dawane 

8. National center for biotechnology information. Ayurvedic intervention in the management of uterine fibroids: A case series. [Internet] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4649577/ 

9. National center for biotechnology information. Efficacy of Kanchanara guggulu and Mata Basti of dhanyaka gokshura ghrita in moontraghata (benign prostatic hyperplasia). [Internet] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4784122/ 

10. National center for biotechnology information. Evaluation of the effect of Kanchnara guggulu and tankana-madhu pratisarana in the management of tundikeri (tonsillitis) in children. [Internet] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5822979/ 

11. Wiley online library. Allergic contact dermatitis from myrrh. [Internet] Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1999.tb06143.x 

12. CABI Invasive species compendium. Bauhinia variegata (mountain ebony). [Internet] Available from: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/8656 

13. Semantic scholar. A review on guggulu formulations used in Ayurveda. [Internet] Available from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/A-Review-on-Guggulu-Formulations-used-in-Ayurveda-Tomar-Kaur/cc836b7f1be5c649178bd6020eb5ef8b99063192 

Also Read: Sarpagandha – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Disclaimer:

The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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