Overview
How Khadira Helps with Ulcers
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Khadira has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing ulcers:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Safety & Precautions
Khadira is generally well tolerated at standard doses, and it is used for long courses in chronic skin conditions. The cautions come mostly from its strongly drying, astringent nature.
Dryness and constipation
Because Khadira is light, dry and astringent, long-term or high-dose use can aggravate Vata, the dosha of air and dryness. This can show up as constipation, dry or cracking skin, or reduced appetite. Taking it with a little ghee or milk, or pairing it with Triphala, helps.
Blood thinning and surgery
Khadira can mildly thin the blood. Stop it about 2 weeks before scheduled surgery, and tell your physician if you take warfarin or other anticoagulants.
Medications
If you take prescription drugs metabolised by the liver, such as oral antifungals, mention Khadira to your prescriber. Avoid combining if you have abnormal liver function tests.
Pregnancy and nursing
Skip Khadira during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a qualified practitioner is supervising.
Sensitivity
Avoid it if you know you react to catechins or tannins, the main compounds in the heartwood.
Not a replacement for treatment
For serious infections such as syphilis, or severe skin disease, Khadira is a supportive herb only. Prescribed medical treatment comes first.
Other Herbs for Ulcers
See all herbs for ulcers on the Ulcers page.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
2-3 – DANTADHAVANA / CLEANING OF TEETH शर र च तां नव य कृतशौच व ध ततः अक य ोधख दरकर जककुभा दजम ् ातभु वा च म ृ व ं कषायकटु त तकम ् भ ये तपवनं द तमांसा यबाधयन ् कनी य सम थौ यं गुणं वादशा गुलम ् Keeping in view, the condition of his body, the individual should pass urine and faeces, clean teeth with any of the twigs of following herbs – Arka (Calotropis procera), Vata (Ficus benghalensis), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Kakubha (Terminalia arjuna).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine
Kashaya Varga (Gana) – group of astringents: वगःकषायः प या ं शर षः ख दरो मधु कद बोद ु बरं मु ता वाला जनगै रकम ् बालं क प थं खजूरं वसप ो पला द च Group of astringents consists of Pathya – Chebuic Myrobalan (fruit rind) – Terminalia chebula, Aksha – Terminalia bellirica, Shireesa, Khadira – Black catechu (heart wood extract) – Acacia catechu, Madhu (honey), Kadamba, Udumbara, Mukta (Pearls), Pravala (Coral), Anjana – Aqueous extract of Berberis aristata (antimony), Gairika – Purified Red Ochre, B
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Khadira (Acacia catechu), saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris), musta (Cyperus rotundus linn), aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn), dhava (Anogeissus latifolia, Wall).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
Sprikka (Delphinium zalil), plava (Cyperus rotundus), sthauneyaka (Taxus baccata), kanksi (Saurashtrika), shaileya (Parmelia perlata), rochana (bile of cow), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), dhyamaka (Cymbopogon martini), kunkuma (Crocus sativua), mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi), agra (inflorescence) of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), ala (Haritala – Purified Arsenic trisulphide), kushtaghna (Khadira – Acacia catechu)), brhati (Solanum indicum), flower of sirisha (Albizzia lebbe
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
In poisoning of the mamsa dhatu, roots of khadira (Acacia catechu), nimba (Azadiracta indica) and kutaja (Holarrhena antidysentrica) should be taken mixed with honey and along with water.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Decoctions of triphala, khadira (Acasia catechu Willd), daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC), nyagrodhadi group, bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
), priyangu, khadira, dhataki, sarja, ela (Elleteria cardamomum Maton.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
Triphala, Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), the two Haridras (turmeric and tree turmeric), Patola (Trichosanthes dioica), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa), and Vidanga (Embelia ribes) — this decoction destroys Kushtha (skin diseases).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
and with Khadira (Acacia catechu) decoction it destroys Vrana (ulcers) and Kushtha (skin diseases).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)
Mundatikadi Kvatha [as Anupana]: the decoction of Khadira heartwood (Acacia catechu), Pathya (Haritaki) decoction, or warm water should be given as the vehicle.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)
All should be combined into a single powder and then processed (Bhavana) with Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba) juice and the decoction water of Khadira (Acacia catechu) and Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium), reduced to one-eighth.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
After the Bhavana processing and drying, one Karsha of the powder should be consumed with Khadira-Asana decoction water, or with ghee, or with milk.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
Perform oblations with sticks of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and Bilva (Aegle marmelos) — or of Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), and Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia) — smeared with curd, honey, and ghee, while reciting the Pranava (Om) and Maha-vyahritis.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
Amalaka (gooseberry) juice, goat (products), pippali, saindhava, and honey — stored in a khadira (acacia) wood container.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
It should also be cooked with Kushtha, Talisha, Khadira (Acacia catechu), Chandana (sandalwood), and Syandana.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha
The barks of Rohini, Sarja (sal), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), and Kubha should be decocted, and in that decoction, ghee should be cooked with Sattira.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 34: Shitaputanapratishedha
JIRNA-JVARA TAILA (Chronic Fever Oil): prepared with Shirisha, Khadira, Sphotha, Amrita, Valli, Yata-Rushaka, Katuka, Parpatoshira, Vacha, Teja, and Vati-ghana -- this medicated oil for massage destroys chronic fever.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 34: Shitaputanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.