Kάnchanara.

Kovidάra.

Vern. Kachnάr, Hind. Rakta Kάnchan. Beng.

Two species of Bauhinia, namely purple and white flowered (Bauhinia variegata and acuminata), are noticed in the Bhavaprakasa under the names of Kovidάra and Kάnchanάra and the properties of both are said to be identical. The bark of Bauhinia variegata is described as alterative, tonic, astringent and useful in scrofula, skin diseases and ulcers.

Chakradatta recommends the bark of the red variety to be rubbed into an emulsion with rice water and administered, with the addition of ginger, in scrofulous enlargement of the glands of the neck.4 Sάrangadhara gives the following preparation for the same affection.

Kάnchanάra guggulu.1 Take of the bark of Bauhinia variegata, eighty tolas, the three myrobalans sixty tolas,ginger, black pepper, long pepper and the bark of Cratceva religiosa (varuna), eight totes each, cardamoms, cinnamon, and tejpatra leaves, each two tolas, powder them all and rub together with guggulu, equal in weight to all the other ingredients. Dose, half a tolά to be taken every morning with a decoction of Sphceranthus mollis (mundi) or of catechu. This medicine is said to be useful in scrofulous enlargement of glands, tumours, ulcers, skin diseases, etc.