Kachnar (orchid tree / mountain ebony)

Bauhinia variegata

Edible plant

Ayurveda

Photo credit: Peter1968 at English Wikipedia

Safety information

Toxicity: Low at studied doses (bark/flower).

Contraindications: Pregnancy (insufficient data — caution); thyroid disease (monitor if used for goiter).

Interactions: Thyroid medication (monitor), antidiabetics (additive); few documented.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: insufficient data — caution.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

powder · stem bark

Part used: stem bark

Evidence:Preclinical

Kanchanara Guggulu formula · stem bark

Part used: stem bark

Evidence:Preclinical

decoction · stem bark

Part used: stem bark

Traditional use: goiter, lymph-node swellings, thyroid nodules, skin

Proposed mechanism: flavonoids, tannins, steroidal/triterpenoid constituents — antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, possible thyroid-modulating, antimicrobial

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

goiter lymph node swellings Skin conditions (general)thyroid nodules

Edibility

Edible parts: Flower buds and young flowers cooked as a vegetable/curry (a traditional food). Bark is medicinal, not food.

Toxic lookalike warning

Ornamental Bauhinia and related legume flowers vary; only food-traditional species/parts should be eaten, and raw legume parts can disagree — cook.

Nutritional notes

Flower buds provide fiber and minor micronutrients; a regional cooked vegetable.

Healing traditions

Ayurveda

Sources (1)

Shalom 2025, Molecules (PMID 40871489)

All sources →