"Acacia catechu willd -a gift from ayurveda to mankind" -a review

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. Acacia catechu willd (AC).(Family: Fabaceae and subfamily: Mimosoideae) known as Black cutch has a diverse pharmacological actions and has been widely used in Ayurveda for processing of various formulations in Rasashastra.The main chemical constituents of Acacia Catechu are catechin, epecatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, phloroglucin, protocatechuic acid, quarcetin, poriferasterol glucosides, lupenone, procyanidin, kaemferol,L-arabinose, D-galactose.D-rhamnose andaldobiuronic acid, afzelchin gum, mineral and taxifolin. Heartwood is used to yield concentrated aqueous extract i.e. Cutch and Katha. The cutch and Katha (extract) possess astringent, cooling and digestive properties; and is commonly used in ayurvedic preparations. It is useful in cold and cough, ulcers, boils and eruptions of the skin, bleeding piles, uterine haemorrhages, atonic dyspepsia, chronic bronchitis etc. Based upon the scientific literatures, the aim of this article is to compile and explore the potency of Acacia catechu willd in management of various diseases.