Acacia catechu

Plant Name: Acacia catechu

English Name: Catechu

Local Name:

• Babul,


• Cachu, Catechu,


• Kaderi.Khoira, Koir, Kheriya Baval, Kher Kagli, Kugli, Khair


• Sandra,

Family: Leguminoseae-mimoseae

Uses:
It is very useful in a number of ways. A pale yellow mucilaginous gum exudes from the tree, yielding one of the best substitutes for true gum arabic. Its wood contains catechin, catechutanic acid and tannin.
The bark and roots of Khair are used in treating sore mouth, body pains, gravel,
bronchial asthma and indigestion. The bark is especially useful as astringent, and a cure in cough, diarrhea and indigestion, cancer, piles, sore throat, ulceration, eczema and certain forms of leprosy.

Katha is a white substance found in Acacia catechu (catechu) wood. Katha is not only used as a remedy for body pain but also in medicines for other human ailments. Katha is also used extensively in ‘pan’.