Overview
Kovidara is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for inflammation. The specific flower properties of Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are described. The orchid-like flowers come in white, pink and purple varieties. The flower buds are extensively eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are astringent and used in glandular disorders. They are an important food source in many Indian communities. Verse: referenced in flower section.
How Kovidara Helps with Inflammation
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kovidara has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing inflammation:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Other Herbs for Inflammation
See all herbs for inflammation on the Inflammation page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
ityamr̥taghr̥tam| One adhaka of ghee cooked by adding the paste of one aksha each of bark of shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), maricha (Piper nigrum), triphala (Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalia, Terminalia bellerica), chandana (Santalum album), utpala (Nelumbo nucifera), bala (Sida cordifolia), atibala (Abutilon indicum), sariva (Hemidismus indicus), asphota (Semicarpus anacardium), surabhi, nimbi (Azardirachta indica), patala (Stereosperm
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Two to three fruits in herbal decoctions of Guduchi, Yashti, Kovidara, Karbudara, Nipa, Vidula, Bimbi, Shanpushpi, Sadapushpi, Apamarga, Nimba, and Kutaja.
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 2: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Jimutaka (Jimutaka Kalpa Adhyaya / जीमूतककल्प अध्याय)
Fifty Koshataki fruits boiled in Kovidara decoction for linctus.
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 6: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Kritavedhana (Kritavedhana Kalpa Adhyaya / कृतवेधनकल्प अध्याय)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 2: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Jimutaka (Jimutaka Kalpa Adhyaya / जीमूतककल्प अध्याय); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 6: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Kritavedhana (Kritavedhana Kalpa Adhyaya / कृतवेधनकल्प अध्याय)
The drugs for upward purification (emesis/vamana) are: madana, kutaja, jimuta, indravaku, dhama, argvaka, kritavedhana, sarshapa (mustard), vidanga, pippali, karanja, prapunnada, kovidara, karbuda, arishta, ashvagandha, vidula, bandhujivaka, shveta, shanapushpi, bimbi, vacha, mrigervaru, and chitra.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Of these, the fruits of the first group (up to kovidara) are used, and the roots of the remaining group (from kovidara onward) are used (verse 3).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
The flower section describes: kovidara, shamali, shalmali — sweet and Pitta-removing.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 46: Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink
The drugs for upward purification (emesis/vamana) are: madana, kutaja, jimuta, indravaku, dhama, argvaka, kritavedhana, sarshapa (mustard), vidanga, pippali, karanja, prapunnada, kovidara, karbuda, arishta, ashvagandha, vidula, bandhujivaka, shveta, shanapushpi, bimbi, vacha, mrigervaru, and chitra.
— Sushruta Samhita, Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Of these, the fruits of the first group (up to kovidara) are used, and the roots of the remaining group (from kovidara onward) are used (verse 3).
— Sushruta Samhita, Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 46: Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink; Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
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.