Kachnar
Bauhinia variegata
Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Quercetin has ~5-10% oral bioavailability enhanced by lipids and piperine. Kaempferol shows similar absorption profile. Tannins are poorly absorbed but may have local anti-inflammatory effects in GI tract.
| Botanical name | Bauhinia variegata |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I: KANCANARA (Stem bark) |
| Also called | Bauhinia racemosa (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Family | Fabaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2953251 · Wikidata Q840341 · NCBI Taxonomy 167791 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kachnar |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (bark decoction), Kwath (decoction), Guggulu formulation (Kanchanara Guggulu)
Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract; 50-100ml decoction; 2-4 Kanchanara Guggulu tablets twice daily
Bioavailability: Bauhinia variegata bark contains flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), tannins, and phytosterols. Quercetin has ~5-10% oral bioavailability enhanced by lipids and piperine. Kaempferol shows similar absorption profile. Tannins are poorly absorbed but may have local anti-inflammatory effects in GI tract. Guggulu combination (Kanchanara Guggulu) may enhance bioavailability via guggulsterone-mediated permeability enhancement.
Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water; Kanchanara Guggulu: twice daily before meals
Standardized Extract: Bark aqueous extract standardized to 2% total flavonoids (as quercetin); hydroalcoholic extract with characteristic HPTLC fingerprint; Kanchanara Guggulu tablet per API formulation
Shelf Life: 2 years (bark powder); 3 years (Kanchanara Guggulu tablets); 3 years (standardized extract capsule)
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Bark powder in airtight containers. Guggulu tablets are hygroscopic; moisture-proof packaging required.
Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Kaempferol, Bauhinianin, Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction of bark (traditional Kwath)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40 ethanol:water)
- Methanol extraction for flavonoid-enriched fraction
- Traditional Guggulu preparation (Kanchanara Guggulu - compound formulation)
Synergistic Combinations
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