Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kanchanar

Bauhinia variegata L.

Kanchanar (Bauhinia variegata L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. [Evaluation of Comparative Efficacy of Levothyroxine Versus Kshar Basti and Kanchanar Guggul in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39255475/).

Key facts
Botanical nameBauhinia variegata L.
FamilyFabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Kanchanar Guggulu is an official formulation in AFI (Ayurvedic Formulary of India). No dedicated WHO monograph. Ongoing RCT may provide future regulatory evidence.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2953251 · Wikidata Q840341 · NCBI Taxonomy 167791

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKanchanar
Latin/BotanicalBauhinia variegata L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-goitrogenic activity through modulation of thyroid hormone synthesis and iodine metabolism by flavonoids
  • Anti-inflammatory action via COX-2 and LOX inhibition and suppression of NF-kB pathway by kaempferol and quercetin
  • Antidiabetic activity through aldose reductase inhibition (quercetin pentaacetate) preventing diabetic complications
  • Hepatoprotective effects via antioxidant-mediated restoration of SOD, catalase and glutathione levels

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-goitrogenic and thyroid-supportive use validated through clinical case series showing improved TSH and thyroid hormone levels
  • Lymphadenitis (Gandamala) treatment confirmed through clinical observations and Kanchanar Guggulu studies
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects validated through carrageenan-induced paw edema model with 46-77% inhibition
  • Hemostatic and anti-hemorrhagic use supported by astringent tannin content and clinical observations in menorrhagia

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Kanchanar Guggulu formulation is widely used clinically in Ayurvedic practice with established safety profile at standard doses (1-2 tablets twice daily)
  • Long-term safety data from controlled clinical trials is still being generated; caution advised in hyperthyroid patients due to anti-goitrogenic activity. Pregnancy use not well studied.

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Kaempferol
  • Quercetin
  • Isorhamnetin
  • Hesperidin
  • Stigmasterol
  • Lupeol
  • Sitosterol
  • Ombuin

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Guggulu formulation (Kanchanar Guggulu tablet), Capsule, Vati (tablet)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; Kanchanar Guggulu: 2 tablets (500 mg each) twice daily

Bioavailability: Flavonoids and tannins have moderate bioavailability. Lectins (Bauhinia-specific) are partially degraded in GI tract. Guggulu-based formulations (Kanchanar Guggulu) show enhanced bioactivity due to guggulsterone-mediated metabolic activation. Phytosome technology improves flavonoid absorption 3-fold.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for thyroid-related conditions; after meals for gastrointestinal applications; Kanchanar Guggulu best taken with warm water 30 minutes before meals

Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 10% total tannins (as tannic acid equivalents) and 2% total flavonoids (as quercetin equivalents)

Shelf Life: 24 months for powder; 36 months for Kanchanar Guggulu tablets; 48 hours for freshly prepared decoction (refrigerated)

Storage: Store powder and tablets in cool, dry place at 15-30°C. Decoctions must be refrigerated (2-8°C) and consumed within 48 hours. Protect from moisture and light.

Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Kaempferol, Bauhiniastatin, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol

Extraction Methods

  • Water decoction (traditional for Kwatha)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
  • Sequential extraction: hexane then ethanol then water
  • Enzyme-assisted extraction for lectin-rich fractions

Synergistic Combinations

  • Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) in Kanchanar Guggulu for thyroid and lymphatic disorders
  • Triphala for enhanced detoxification
  • Varuna (Crataeva nurvala) for urinary calculi
  • Punarnava for lymphatic drainage

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews6

  1. Kulkarni SP, Parwe S. 2024. Evaluation of Comparative Efficacy of Levothyroxine Versus Kshar Basti and Kanchanar Guggul in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled TrialJMIR research protocols. PMID 39255475 · doi:10.2196/57287
  2. Gudavalli D, Pandey K, Ede VG and others. 2024. Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of five species of Bauhinia genus: A reviewFitoterapia. PMID 38286316 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105830
  3. Kenmegne Tebe UC, Tangka JK, Djoukeng HG and others. 2024. Effects of extraction parameters on the yield of oils from non-edible seeds of Bauhinia variegata and PachiraglabraHeliyon. PMID 38756583 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30777
  4. Choudhary A, Noman M, Bano U and others. 2023. Global uses of traditional herbs for hepatic diseases and other pharmacological actions: A comprehensive reviewPolimery w medycynie. PMID 37260126 · doi:10.17219/pim/165977
  5. Zhang Q, Cheng Z, Fan Y and others. 2023. Ethnobotanical study on edible flowers in Xishuangbanna, ChinaJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine. PMID 37777741 · doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00608-1
  6. Wan G, Jin C, Trase I and others. 2018. Helical Structures Mimicking Chiral Seedpod Opening and Tendril CoilingSensors (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 30200611 · doi:10.3390/s18092973

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Xu Y. 2024. Surface morphology and microstructure of Bauhinia variegata L. flowers and leavesMicron (Oxford, England : 1993). PMID 38086225 · doi:10.1016/j.micron.2023.103575
  2. Sun C, Chen Y, Zheng D and others. 2024. The complete mitochondrial genome of Bauhinia variegata (Leguminosae)Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 38259357 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2024.2305712
  3. Solanki N, Bhavsar S. 2023. Neuroprotective effects of Bauhinia variegata in ameliorating diabetic neuropathy and neurodegenerationAmerican journal of translational research. PMID 37969205
  4. Kamal Y, Khan T, Haq I and others. 2022. Phytochemical and biological attributes of Bauhinia variegata L. (Caesalpiniaceae)Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia. PMID 35170677 · doi:10.1590/1519-6984.257990
  5. Behera SK, Modi PK, Karthikkeyan G and others. 2021. From LC-MS/MS metabolomics profiling of Kanchanara Guggulu to molecular docking and dynamics simulation of quercetin pentaacetate with aldose reductaseBioinformation. PMID 35655904 · doi:10.6026/97320630017911
  6. Mohsin S, Akhtar N. 2017. FORMULATION AND STABILITY EVALUATION OF BAUHINIA VARIEGATA EXTRACT TOPICAL EMULSIONActa poloniae pharmaceutica. PMID 29513965

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