Latakaranja
Caesalpinia bonduc
Latakaranja (Caesalpinia bonduc) is a plant drug, also called Kantaki Karanja, Kuberaksa and Kaantaa Karanj. Internal use requires purification (Shodhana).
| Botanical name | Caesalpinia bonduc |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. V: LATAKARANJA (Seed) |
| Also called | Guilandina bonduc L. (nomenclatural synonym) Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Fleming (nomenclatural synonym) Caesalpinia crista Linn. (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Currently accepted name | Guilandina bonduc L., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Fabaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2958671 · Wikidata Q1020695 · NCBI Taxonomy 191881 |
| Sanskrit | Kantaki Karanja, Kuberaksa, लताकरञ्ज (latākarañja) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Kaantaa Karanj, Karanja, कटकरंज (kaṭakaraṃja), सागरगोटी (sāgaragoṭī) |
| English | Bonduc Nut, Fever Nut |
| Tamil | Kajha shikke, Kalichchikkaai, கழற்சி |
| Malayalam | Kaalanchi, Kalamchikuru, Kazhinch - Kai |
| Telugu | Gachchakaay |
| Kannada | Gajjike Kaayi, Gajkai |
| Marathi | Gaajagaa, Gajarghotaa, Saagar gotaa |
| Bengali | Kaantaa Karanjaa, Naataa, Naataa Karanjaa |
| Gujarati | Kaanchakaa, Kaanka |
| Urdu | Akitmakit |
| Oriya | Kotokolejaa |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); efloraofindia, Caesalpinia bonduc: Hindi "गजगा, कलिंग, करंज, करंजवा, कटकरंज, मेंढल, नटा, पांशुल, पट्टिल, पूति, सागरगोटी".; efloraofindia, Caesalpinia bonduc: Hindi सागरगोटी.; efloraofindia, Caesalpinia bonduc: Sanskrit "लताकरञ्ज (latakaranja)".; efloraofindia, Caesalpinia bonduc: Tamil "கச்சூரம், கழற்சி (kalarci), கர்ச்சூரம், கெச்சக்காய், கோபக்கிதம், மூழல், வஜ்ரபீஜம்".. How we source.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Latakaranja |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta, Katu | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (external paste)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g seed powder per day; 3-6 g leaf/bark powder; 20-40 mL decoction twice daily. Internal use requires purification (Shodhana).
Optimal Timing: Before meals or with meals; topical application twice daily
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-resistant containers. Raw seeds can be stored for extended periods due to hard coat. Purified preparations require protection from moisture (RH below 60%).
Marker Compounds: Caesalpin, Bonducin, Caesaldekarin, Norcaesalpin, Beta-sitosterol, Homoisoflavones
Traditional Combinations
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.
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