Ingredient profile
Khair
Senegalia catechu
Catechu heartwood, traditionally used in Ayurveda in formulations for the skin.
- Hindi
- खैर
- Sanskrit
- Khadira
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Part used
- heartwood
Traditional use
Khair, or catechu, is a thorny tree whose dark red heartwood yields an astringent extract long used in Indian tradition.
In Ayurvedic tradition
Khadira is regarded in Ayurveda as one of the foremost herbs for the skin and is a key ingredient of the classical preparation Khadirarishta. It is also used for oral care.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Bitter, astringent
- Guna (qualities): Light, dry
- Virya (potency): Cooling
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Pungent
- Effect on the doshas: Balances kapha and pitta
How it is traditionally taken
Used as heartwood powder or extract within formulations, or as a decoction.
Safety notes
Follow product directions; consult a practitioner if pregnant or nursing. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Khadira) pharmacopoeia