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Herbs & Plants

Acacia catechu

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Botanical Name: Catechu nigrum, Acacia catechu
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Senegalia
Species: S. catechu
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fabales

Synonym: Cutch.

Habitat: Acacia catechu is found in Asia, China, India and the Indian Ocean area

Common names: Senegalia catechu ,Catechu, Cachou, Cutchtree, Black cutch, Terra Japonica and Black catechu

In Hindi it is called Khair and Khadira in Sanskrit.

Description:
Senegalia catechu is deciduous tree and has short hooked spines that reach up to the height of 9 to 12 meters. The leaves of this tress are bipinnately compounds with almost 50 pairs of leaflets which look like feathers. The bark of the tree is grayish brown in color that exfoliates into long and narrow strips….click & see the pictures
The flowers of the plant are pale yellow in color and have cylindrical spikes. The flattened and glabrous fruit of the plant have oblong pods. The sapwood of Acacia catechu is whitish yellow in color. The extract of the wood is cooled in moulds and the dried mass is broken into shinny jagged pieces for various.

Cultivation: The tree can be propagated by planting its seeds, which are soaked in hot water first. After about six months in a nursery, the seedlings can be planted in the field.

Edible Uses: The tree’s seeds are a good source of protein. Kattha (catechu), an extract of its heartwood, is used as an ingredient to give red color and typical flavor to paan. Paan, from the word p?n in Hindi( it is an Indian and Southeast Asian tradition of chewing betel leaf (Piper betle) with areca nut and slaked lime paste.)

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION: The plant of Acacia catechu contains tannins and Flavonoids majorly
Medicinal Uses:
THERAPEUTIC POWERS OF ACACIA CATECHU
THE ACACIA CATECHU PLANT IS KNOWN TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

*Astringent
*Bactericide
*Refrigerant
*Stimulant
*Masticator
*Expectorant.

CURE FOR AILMENTS:
The extract of heartwood, flowering tops, young shoots, the bark, fruits and the gum of the plant are used to create products for use. These extracts are used as an anodyne, bactericide, refrigerant, detergent, astringent, styptic, masticatory, expectorant, stimulant and as an antiphlogistic.

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW THIS PLANT IS MIRACULOUS WHEN CONSUMED FOR TREATING DISEASES SUCH AS:

* Obesity: Acacia catechu liquid is very good for people suffering from obesity
* The extract of the plant is very good for curing sore throat
* A very strong combination of Acacia catechu extract and milk can cure complains of cough as well as bronchitis
*The distilled water of the plant is used to cure acute body pains
Other uses:
Its heartwood extract is used in dyeing and leather tanning, as a preservative for fishing nets, and as a viscosity regulator for oil drilling.
The tree is often planted for use as firewood and charcoal and its wood is highly valued for furniture and tools.The wood has a density of about 0.88 g/cm3.

Branches of the tree are quite often cut for goat fodder and are sometimes fed to cattle.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia_catechu
http://www.alwaysayurveda.com/acacia-catechu/
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/catbla35.html

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