Acacia Catechu · Cutch Tree Heartwood · Karingali · 100g / 250g / 450g
The Tree That Gave Catechin Its Name — The Original Source of One of Nature’s Most Studied Antioxidants
The antioxidant compound “catechin” — the same compound celebrated in green tea, dark chocolate, and red wine — was first isolated from Acacia catechu in 1821. The tree literally gave the compound its name. Catechin and its derivative epicatechin are the dominant bioactives in this heartwood, and they’re present in concentrations far higher than in any cup of green tea. In Ayurveda, Acacia catechu is classified as Khadira — one of the most important herbs for skin diseases, oral health, liver protection, and Pitta (heat/inflammation) disorders. In Siddha medicine, Karingali is a staple decoction ingredient for bleeding disorders, diarrhoea, and skin conditions. The dark, dense heartwood of this tree is what you’re getting — dried pieces ready to be boiled into a Kashayam (decoction) or powdered for paste applications. At $14.00 for 100g, this is a potent Siddha and Ayurvedic raw material, not a casual kitchen ingredient — it’s used by practitioners and home herbalists who know exactly what Karingali does.
Source of Catechin Compound
Dense Heartwood Pieces
No Chemicals or Additives
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Why Karingali Is Pharmacologically Significant
Catechin
The flagship compound — named after this tree. Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Epicatechin
Catechin’s derivative — cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective
Quercetin
Flavonoid antioxidant — anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic
Tannins
Highly astringent — contracts tissue, stops bleeding, tones mucous membranes
Antibacterial
Active against oral pathogens and skin bacteria
Antifungal
Effective against common dermatophytes
Haemostatic
Astringent action controls bleeding — traditional use in haemorrhage
Pitta-Pacifying
Cooling, anti-inflammatory — manages heat and inflammation in Ayurveda
Known Across Traditions
Acacia Catechu
Botanical
கருங்காலி (Karingali)
Tamil
खैर (Khair)
Hindi
കരിങ്ങാലി (Karingali)
Malayalam
చంద్ర / సండ్ర (Chandra / Sandra)
Telugu
Khadira
Sanskrit — one of the most cited herbs in Charaka Samhita
Cutch Tree / Black Catechu
English
Katha / Kattha
The extract used in paan (betel leaf)
What Karingali Is Used For
Skin Conditions — The Primary Ayurvedic Indication
In Ayurveda, Khadira (Acacia catechu) is classified as one of the premier herbs for skin diseases — it appears in virtually every classical Ayurvedic text’s chapter on skin disorders. The catechins and tannins have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that address the microbial and inflammatory components of conditions like eczema, psoriasis, chronic itching, and non-healing ulcers. The traditional method: boil Karingali heartwood pieces in water for 15–20 minutes to make a concentrated decoction (Kashayam), then either drink the filtered liquid or apply it topically to affected skin, or both. Khadirarishta — a fermented preparation of Khadira — is one of the most prescribed Ayurvedic medicines for chronic skin conditions. This raw heartwood is the starting material for that preparation.
Oral Health — Gums, Teeth, Mouth Ulcers
Karingali’s astringent tannins tighten gum tissue, reduce bleeding gums, and create an environment hostile to oral bacteria. In traditional practice, Karingali powder is used as a tooth powder (rubbed directly on gums and teeth) or as a mouthwash (decoction gargled and held in the mouth for 30–60 seconds). The antibacterial action reduces plaque-forming bacteria, while the astringent action firms spongy, receding gums. For mouth ulcers and sore throat, gargling with warm Karingali decoction helps by both disinfecting the ulcer and contracting the inflamed tissue to promote healing. Pairs well with Moolihai’s Herbal Tooth Powder for a complete traditional dental routine.
Liver Protection & Pitta Disorders
The catechins in Acacia catechu have demonstrated hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties in pharmacological research — they scavenge free radicals that damage liver cells and support the liver’s Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways. In Ayurveda, Khadira is a Pitta-pacifying herb — Pitta represents the body’s heat, inflammation, and metabolic fire. When Pitta is aggravated (manifesting as skin rashes, acid reflux, liver congestion, irritability, burning sensations), Khadira’s cooling, astringent properties help bring it back into balance. The decoction taken internally on an empty stomach is the traditional protocol for liver and Pitta support.
Bleeding Disorders & Diarrhoea
This is where Karingali’s high tannin content does its most immediate work. Tannins are powerfully astringent — they bind to proteins in tissue, causing contraction and tightening. This action stops bleeding (haemostatic) and firms up loose bowels (antidiarrhoeal). In Siddha medicine, Karingali decoction is a standard prescription for dysentery, chronic diarrhoea, haemorrhoids with bleeding, and excessive menstrual bleeding. The decoction constricts blood vessels at the site of bleeding, reduces the fluid loss that drives diarrhoea, and tones the intestinal lining. This astringent action is rapid — often noticeable within the first or second dose — which is why Karingali has remained a front-line Siddha remedy for centuries.
Preparing Karingali
Kashayam (Decoction) — The Standard Method
Add 5–10 grams of Karingali heartwood pieces to 200ml of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes until the liquid reduces by roughly half, turning a deep reddish-brown. Strain. Drink warm on an empty stomach, once or twice daily. The colour tells you the extraction is working — the darker the decoction, the more concentrated the catechins and tannins. The taste is bitter and astringent (drying, puckering sensation in the mouth). If the bitterness is too strong, reduce the amount of heartwood per cup and add a small amount of Moolihai’s Marthandam Honey after the liquid has cooled slightly. Continue for 2–4 weeks for skin conditions and liver support.
Topical Paste — Skin Application
Powder the heartwood pieces using a blender or mortar and pestle (the wood is very hard — pulse in short bursts, or soak pieces in water first to soften slightly). Mix the powder with water or rose water to form a paste. Apply to affected skin areas — eczema patches, fungal infections, chronic itch, non-healing sores. Leave for 20–30 minutes, then rinse. The catechins absorb through the skin and work both antibacterially and anti-inflammatorily at the site. For a combined internal + external protocol (the traditional Ayurvedic approach to stubborn skin conditions), drink the Kashayam in the morning while applying the paste to affected areas at night.
Mouthwash & Tooth Powder
For a mouthwash, make a decoction as described above, let it cool to a comfortable temperature, and gargle for 30–60 seconds, swishing around the mouth to reach gums, teeth, and any ulcerated areas. Spit out. Repeat 2–3 times. For tooth powder, grind the heartwood into a very fine powder, dip a wet finger or soft toothbrush into the powder, and massage into gums and teeth. The astringent tannins tighten gum tissue immediately, and the antibacterial compounds reduce the bacterial load causing gum inflammation. Use 2–3 times per week alongside your regular oral hygiene routine — not as a complete replacement.
Karingali in Other Moolihai Products
Karingali is one of three key ingredients in Moolihai’s Thagasamani Powder — a traditional Siddha cooling drink blend that combines Karingali (Acacia catechu) with Nannari (Hemidesmus indicus / sarsaparilla root) and Ramacham (Vetiveria zizanioides / vetiver root). While this standalone Karingali product gives you the raw heartwood for medicinal decoctions and topical applications, Thagasamani Powder is a pre-blended daily drinking water infusion designed for internal cooling — 1 teaspoon per 2 litres of water, replacing regular drinking water. If you’re specifically looking for Karingali’s skin, liver, or oral health applications at medicinal concentration, this standalone product is what you need. If you want a gentle daily cooling drink that includes Karingali alongside complementary herbs, the Thagasamani Powder is the ready-made option.
What You’re Getting
100g / 250g / 450g
Three pack sizes
Heartwood Pieces
Dark, dense Acacia catechu wood
India
Origin
No Additives
Naturally harvested, shade-dried
1 Sold Daily
Niche practitioner-grade ingredient
$14.00
100g pack
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Common Questions
Related but different. Katha (also spelled Kattha or Cutch) is an extract made by boiling Acacia catechu heartwood for extended periods, then evaporating the liquid until it crystallises into a dark, concentrated paste. That paste is what’s used in paan (betel leaf preparation) for its astringent flavour and the characteristic dark red colour it imparts. What you’re getting here is the raw heartwood itself — not the extracted paste. The heartwood contains the full spectrum of Acacia catechu’s compounds (catechins, epicatechins, tannins, quercetin) in their natural, unprocessed form. You can make Katha from this heartwood if you wanted to, but the primary intended uses are medicinal decoction, topical paste, and oral care.
Acacia catechu heartwood is genuinely one of the hardest woods in India — “Karingali” translates roughly to “black hard wood” in Tamil. For decoction (Kashayam), you don’t need to powder it at all — just boil the pieces directly in water and the heat extracts the compounds over 15–20 minutes. For paste or tooth powder applications where you need a fine grind: soak pieces in water for 4–6 hours to soften the fibres slightly, then pulse in a high-powered blender or coffee grinder in short bursts. A mortar and pestle works for small quantities but requires significant effort. Alternatively, wrap in a cloth and break into smaller chips with a hammer before grinding. Some customers buy it pre-powdered from Siddha pharmacies — but whole heartwood pieces stay potent longer because the intact wood protects the internal compounds from oxidation.
Bitter and strongly astringent. The astringency is the dominant sensation — a dry, puckering, contracting feeling in the mouth and throat that’s characteristic of high-tannin substances (similar to very strong unsweetened black tea or unripe persimmon). The bitterness comes from the catechins and other polyphenols. It is not a pleasant-tasting drink by any measure — this is medicine, not a beverage. Moolihai’s Marthandam Honey (add after the decoction cools below 40°C to preserve the honey’s enzymes) can soften the taste. Some practitioners add a pinch of cardamom or dry ginger to the decoction while boiling to improve palatability. The strong taste usually becomes tolerable after a few days of regular use.
Not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision. While Acacia catechu doesn’t carry the same strong abortifacient warnings as neem or ashwagandha, its high tannin content and astringent properties can cause uterine contracting effects at medicinal doses. Additionally, the strong astringency may worsen pregnancy-related constipation. Avoid internal use during pregnancy. External use (mouthwash, topical paste on skin) is generally considered lower risk because systemic absorption is minimal, but consult your OB-GYN before starting any new herbal product during pregnancy. After delivery, Karingali has no known contraindications for breastfeeding use at standard decoction doses.
Skin conditions are where Karingali is traditionally used over extended periods. For acute flare-ups (active eczema, new fungal patches, sudden rash), the combined internal + external protocol (Kashayam morning + paste on affected areas evening) typically shows visible improvement in 2–4 weeks. For chronic conditions (long-standing psoriasis, recurring eczema, stubborn fungal infections), Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe Khadira-based treatments for 2–3 months or longer. The general principle: continue until the skin clears, then taper gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Karingali addresses the underlying Pitta imbalance and microbial component — not just the symptoms — so longer use produces more lasting results. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalised duration guidance for your specific condition.
*Cutch Tree heartwood (Acacia catechu / Karingali / Khadira) is a traditional Ayurvedic and Siddha medicinal herb. Health benefits described (skin conditions, oral health, liver protection, bleeding disorders, Pitta pacification) are based on classical Ayurvedic texts and the known phytochemical profile of Acacia catechu. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision. High tannin content may reduce iron absorption — space 2 hours apart from iron supplements or iron-rich meals. May interact with blood-thinning medications. Consult your healthcare provider before internal use, especially if taking prescription medications. Individual results vary.
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