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Khadira

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.

Khadira (Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.) is a plant drug, from the Fabaceae family. Acacia catechu is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and recognized by Indian traditional medicine regulatory authorities (AYUSH).

Key facts
Botanical nameAcacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.
FamilyFabaceae
Pharmacopoeia statusAcacia catechu is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and recognized by Indian traditional medicine regulatory authorities (AYUSH). Referenced in WHO traditional medicine guidelines for South-East Asia region. No dedicated WHO monograph currently published.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 1992 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 3Randomised controlled trials
  • 7Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 1Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKhadira
Latin/BotanicalAcacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Catechin-mediated antioxidant defense: Catechin and epicatechin scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation in skin cell membranes, and upregulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes
  • Cytotoxic T-cell immunomodulation: research has reported immunomodulatory effects of Acacia catechu on cytotoxic T-cell activity
  • Tannin astringent wound healing: Condensed tannins precipitate proteins on wound surfaces forming a protective layer and reduce wound exudation
  • Blood purification (Rakta Shodhaka): a classical concept. A proposed, unsourced mechanism is that polyphenols promote hepatic detoxification pathways and reduce circulating inflammatory mediators that manifest as skin eruptions

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Psoriasis (Ekakushtha): traditionally used for psoriasis. A clinical study reported improvement in PASI scores in patients given Khadira powder.
  • Blood purification for skin diseases (Raktashodhaka): Khadirarishta is used in classical practice for eczema, acne, and chronic skin disorders.
  • Skin allergies and urticaria (Sheetapitta): traditionally used for skin allergies and urticaria. Research has reported T-cell immunomodulatory properties.

What do recent studies show?

No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally well-tolerated at the doses given under Dosage. High tannin content may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in excessive doses
  • Khadirarishta (fermented formulation) contains self-generated alcohol (5-10%); not recommended for patients with alcohol sensitivity or liver conditions. Standardization of catechin content varies across commercial preparations

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Catechin
  • Epicatechin
  • Quercetin
  • Fisetin
  • Kaempferol
  • Tannins
  • Procyanidins
  • Catechu-tannic acid

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Kashayam (decoction), Kwatha (concentrated decoction), Sara (heartwood extract, Khadira Sara/Catechu), Tablet, Capsule, Ointment/Cream, Khadiradi Vati (classical lozenge)

Standard Dosage: 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500 mg-1 g Khadira Sara with honey; 3-5 g heartwood powder; Khadiradi Vati: 1-2 lozenges dissolved slowly in mouth

Optimal Timing: After meals for skin conditions; Khadiradi Vati: dissolve in mouth after meals for oral/throat health; decoction: twice daily between meals for blood purification

Storage: Khadira Sara is hygroscopic. Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-30°C. Powder protected from humidity. Khadiradi Vati in blister packaging to prevent moisture absorption.

Marker Compounds: Catechin, Epicatechin, Epicatechin gallate, Quercetin, Fisetin, Kaempferol, Taxifolin, Procyanidins

Synergistic Combinations

  • Daruharidra for skin disorders and blood purification
  • Sariva for comprehensive blood purifier (Raktashodhaka)
  • Manjistha for chronic skin diseases
  • Haridra in Khadiradi formulations for oral health
  • Nimba for allergic dermatitis and eczema
  • Bakuchi for vitiligo management

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Rana N, Bala M, Kumar V and others. 2025. A Systematic Review Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and Anticancer Activities of Acacia catechuMedical sciences (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40981159 · doi:10.3390/medsci13030161

Randomised controlled trials3

  1. Krieger JM, Hagele AM, Mumford PW and others. 2025. Effects of Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis extract on cognitive function in a healthy adult population: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialNutritional neuroscience. PMID 39701593 · doi:10.1080/1028415X.2024.2442425
  2. Arjmandi BH, Ormsbee LT, Elam ML and others. 2014. A combination of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu extracts for short-term symptomatic relief of joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the kneeJournal of medicinal food. PMID 24611484 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0010
  3. Morgan SL, Baggott JE, Moreland L and others. 2009. The safety of flavocoxid, a medical food, in the dietary management of knee osteoarthritisJournal of medicinal food. PMID 19857081 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0244

Other clinical studies and reviews7

  1. Chen Y, Ren Y, Zhou K and others. 2025. Prospects and Challenges of Catechins in Cardiovascular DiseaseThe AAPS journal. PMID 40660070 · doi:10.1208/s12248-025-01105-x
  2. Kumari M, Radha, Kumar M and others. 2022. Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.: A Review on Bioactive Compounds and Their Health Promoting FunctionalitiesPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36432824 · doi:10.3390/plants11223091
  3. Imran S, Khalid M, Husain N and others. 2022. The efficacy of topical Marham-e-Akbar in chronic atopic dermatitis - an open-label interventional studyDrug metabolism and personalized therapy. PMID 35218174 · doi:10.1515/dmpt-2021-0195
  4. Banjari I, Misir A, Pavlić M and others. 2019. Traditional Herbal Medicines for Diabetes Used in Europe and Asia: Remedies From Croatia and Sri LankaAlternative therapies in health and medicine. PMID 31160545
  5. Stohs SJ, Bagchi D. 2015. Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Chemoprotective Properties of Acacia catechu Heartwood ExtractsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 25802170 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5335
  6. Bitto A, Squadrito F, Irrera N and others. 2014. Flavocoxid, a nutraceutical approach to blunt inflammatory conditionsMediators of inflammation. PMID 25242871 · doi:10.1155/2014/790851
  7. Morton JF. 1992. Widespread tannin intake via stimulants and masticatories, especially guarana, kola nut, betel vine, and accessoriesBasic life sciences. PMID 1417698 · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-3476-1_45

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Li X, Chen J, Zhang X and others. 2025. An Herbal Enema Formula Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Enteric Glial Activation via the S100β/RAGE/NF-κB PathwayJournal of visualized experiments : JoVE. PMID 41396845 · doi:10.3791/69571

Reference lists that include it

Catechin, Kaempferol, Quercetin

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.