Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kovidara

Bauhinia purpurea L.

Kovidara (Bauhinia purpurea L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) family. Listed in Ayurvedic texts as Kovidara. [Genus Bauhinia (Fabaceae): A review from phytochemistry to pharmacology- Exploring traditional uses and toxicological insights across Asia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39571414/).

Key facts
Botanical nameBauhinia purpurea L.
FamilyFabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in Ayurvedic texts as Kovidara. Used interchangeably with B. variegata in some formulations. No dedicated WHO monograph. Recognized in Thai traditional medicine and Indian AYUSH systems.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2953871 · Wikidata Q3245410 · NCBI Taxonomy 3806

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKovidara
Latin/BotanicalBauhinia purpurea L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory action via flavonoid-mediated (quercetin, astragalin) inhibition of COX-2 and suppression of prostaglandin synthesis
  • Antidiabetic activity through polyphenol-mediated enhancement of insulin sensitivity and alpha-glucosidase inhibition
  • Analgesic effect via peripheral and central pain pathway modulation, with maximum effect at 120 min post-administration
  • Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects via antioxidant-mediated restoration of SOD, catalase and reduction of lipid peroxidation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic use validated with significant edema inhibition (46-77%) in carrageenan model
  • Wound healing confirmed through enhanced collagen deposition and epithelialization in excision wound models
  • Antidiabetic use supported by hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rat models
  • Anti-diarrheal activity confirmed in castor oil-induced diarrhea models

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

Recent safety updates

  • Ethanol extracts at tested doses (50-100 mg/kg) showed no significant acute toxicity in rodent models
  • Formal long-term safety studies are limited; differentiation from B. variegata is important for correct therapeutic application. Not recommended during pregnancy.

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Kaempferol
  • Isoquercetin
  • Quercetin
  • Sitosterol
  • Stigmasterol
  • Terpenoids
  • Lupeol
  • Glycosides

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Kwatha (concentrated decoction), Lepa (paste)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction; 500 mg capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Similar pharmacological profile to Kanchanar (both Bauhinia species). Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin) have moderate bioavailability (~20-25%). Tannin-protein interactions may reduce absorption if taken with protein-rich meals. Guggulu combination (as in Kanchanar Guggulu analog) enhances bioavailability. Phytosome formulation of flavonoid fraction improves absorption 2-3 fold.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for thyroid and lymphatic conditions; after meals for general wellness and GI applications

Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 8% total tannins and 2% total flavonoids (as quercetin equivalents) by HPLC

Shelf Life: 24 months for bark powder; 18 months for capsules; 48 hours for fresh decoction (refrigerated)

Storage: Store in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Protect bark powder from moisture and insect infestation. Decoctions refrigerated (2-8°C).

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

Extraction Methods

  • Water decoction (traditional — reduced to 1/4th volume)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Methanol extraction for flavonoid-rich fraction
  • Sequential extraction for fractionation

Synergistic Combinations

  • Kanchanar (complementary Bauhinia species) for additive thyroid/lymphatic effects
  • Guggulu for thyroid and lipid management
  • Varuna for urinary calculi
  • Triphala for detoxification synergy

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 reviews4

  1. Verma R, Dash S, Ankita and others. 2024. Genus Bauhinia (Fabaceae): A review from phytochemistry to pharmacology- Exploring traditional uses and toxicological insights across AsiaPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 39571414 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156246
  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. Venmathi Maran BA, Iqbal M, Gangadaran P and others. 2022. Hepatoprotective Potential of Malaysian Medicinal Plants: A Review on Phytochemicals, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant MechanismsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35268634 · doi:10.3390/molecules27051533
  4. Yamamoto K, Konami Y, Kusui K and others. 1991. Purification and characterization of a carbohydrate-binding peptide from Bauhinia purpurea lectinFEBS letters. PMID 2015903 · doi:10.1016/0014-5793(91)80406-s

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Thokchom B, Bhavi SM, Padti AC and others. 2026. N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots From Bauhinia purpurea With Anti-Inflammatory and Wound-Healing PropertiesChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 42503226 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.71549
  2. Xie S, Chen Y, Zheng D and others. 2025. Assembly and characterization of the complete mitogenome of Bauhinia purpurea (Leguminosae)BMC genomic data. PMID 39828674 · doi:10.1186/s12863-025-01296-4
  3. Limboo KH, Singh B. 2024. Antibiotic potentiating effect of Bauhinia purpurea L. against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureusFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 38694794 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1385268
  4. Liu Y, Zhang X, Yang L and others. 2023. Proteomics and transcriptomics explore the effect of mixture of herbal extract on diabetic wound healing processPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 37267693 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154892
  5. Shobana N, Prakash P, Samrot AV and others. 2022. Evaluation of the Toxic Effect of Bauhinia purpurea Mediated Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles against In-vitro and In-vivo ModelsToxics. PMID 36668735 · doi:10.3390/toxics11010009
  6. Kumar S, Kumar R, Gupta YK and others. 2019. In vivo anti-arthritic activity of Bauhinia purpurea Linn. Bark ExtractIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 31031464 · doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_107_16
  7. Qayyum S, Khan AU. 2016. Biofabrication of broad range antibacterial and antibiofilm silver nanoparticlesIET nanobiotechnology. PMID 27676385 · doi:10.1049/iet-nbt.2015.0091
  8. Shreedhara CS, Vaidya VP, Vagdevi HM and others. 2009. Screening of Bauhinia purpurea Linn. for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activitiesIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 20336222 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.51345

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