Syn.: Mimosa catechu Linn.
Family: Mimosaceae
Arabic Name(s): Kad Hindi, کاد ہندی
Urdu Name(s): Kath, Katha, Katho, کاٹھ
English Name(s): Catechu
Parts Used
Bark and wood, extract, flowering tops, and gum.
Quality/Temperament
Cold and dry in second order.
Functions and Properties (Pharmacological Actions)
Astringent, blood purifier, desiccative, anthelmintic, antidiarrhoeal, good for spongy gums and toothache, for bleeding gums and for elongation of the uvula. Externally effective against chronic ulcerations, foetid discharges, and bedsores.
Specific Action
Powerful astringent.
Medicinal Uses
As gargles and tooth powder or paste, catechu is useful for strengthening the gums, to impart astringency to them, and to stop bleeding. With cinnamon and opium administered to stop diarrhea and hemorrhages. As powder or concentrated cold decoction applied in thrush and Muguet especially in children. With cinnamon and nutmeg kept on the site of toothache, as well as combined in a specific form (for example pills) is effective in toothache, loss of voice, and in cases of mercurial salivation, in hoarseness, relaxed sore throat etc. Also employed to stuff the cavity of aching tooth. Ointment in vaseline or butter is a good local application to chronic ulceration with foetid discharge, in obstinate cases a little copper sulphate powder may be added within the ointment for external application. Ointment is also useful for bed sores (without copper sulphate) but powdered catechu for this purpose is preferred. Catechu decoction is useful for washing sore or cracked nipples and is included in preparations prescribed for gonorrhea, otitis, otorrhoea, etc. Preparation of catechu is useful for relieving blisters anywhere in the buccal cavity and externally in prurigo.
Compound Preparations
Zarur Qala'a, Sunun Mustahkam Dandan, Sunun Kalan, Hab Limun, Dawai Gilo, Marham Kharish Jadid.
Dosage
Powder 1-2 g. (approximately).
Corrigent
Myristica fragransHoutt., Musk and Ambergris.
Tenedium
Red ochre (Geru) and Oak galls, Gentiana kurrooor Picrorhiza kurrooaRoyle ex Benth. (Kutki).
Comments
Scattered on foothills in Western Himalayas ascending to 3000-4000 ft. Catechuis the resinous extract prepared from the wood by boiling it in water and inspissating the decoction.
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