Acacia catechu: A Unani Traditional, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Kath is a hot water extract of red heartwood of Acacia catechu Willd which is brown colored material with bitter taste. Acacia catechu is commonly known as Khair or Kattha. It is a medicinal plant found in almost every region of India recognized for its medicinal and therapeutic uses. It is multipurpose plant as bark, leaves and wood of this plant has high medicinal value. In Unani system of medicine, it carry cold and dry temperament which exploit as Qabiz, Habis, Daf’e jiryan wa sailan, Mujaffif, Raade, Musaffie khoon properties. Alkaloids of this plant acts on mostly all system of human body and maximum it contains antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Animal studies also show hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and antihyperlipidemic activity. In this review we have concluded phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Kath along with its uses in Unani system of medicine. Keywords: Acacia catechu, Kath, Unani, phytochemical Cite this Article Roqaiya M, Usmoni N, Fatima KMH. Acacia catechu: A Unani Traditional, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2019; 8(2): 19–25p.