Introduction

Arathai is a medicinal herb used in traditional Siddha medicine for the treatment of various vatha-related ailments. It is an extensively used plant in Indian traditional systems of medicine and is known for its various therapeutic properties. It is also known as Arathai Kizhangu in Tamil and Aarathai in Sanskrit. The scientific name of Arathai is Bauhinia variegata and it belongs to the family of Fabaceae.

Arathai is a small to medium sized deciduous tree with a height of up to 15 meters. The leaves are arranged in a pinnate pattern and the leaflets are oblong-shaped. The flowers are usually white and the fruit is a flat pod with a single seed inside. The bark of the tree is greyish-brown in color and has a rough texture.

Arathai has several medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of various vatha related ailments. It is an effective remedy for vatha-related pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and other related symptoms. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. It is known to be beneficial for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, paralysis, and skin diseases.

Botanical Description

Arathai is a small to medium sized deciduous tree, with a height of up to 15 meters. The leaves are arranged in a pinnate pattern and the leaflets are oblong-shaped. The flowers are usually white and the fruit is a flat pod with a single seed inside. The bark of the tree is greyish-brown in color and has a rough texture.

Chemical Constituents

The active constituents present in Arathai are flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and coumarins. These compounds are responsible for the therapeutic properties of Arathai.

Medicinal Properties and Uses

Arathai has several medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of various vatha related ailments. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. It is an effective remedy for vatha-related pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and other related symptoms. It is also known to be beneficial for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, paralysis, and skin diseases.

Arathai is used for the treatment of joint pains, muscle pains, arthritis, paralysis, sciatica, sprains, and fractures. It is also used to treat skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and leucoderma. It is also beneficial in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, and cough.

Arathai is also known to possess anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. It is known to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer, especially breast cancer. It is also known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and is beneficial in the treatment of hypertension.

Apart from its medicinal uses, Arathai is also used in the treatment of snake bites and scorpion stings. It is also known to have insecticidal properties and is used to get rid of lice and other parasites.

Side Effects

Arathai is generally safe to use and does not have any major side effects. However, it may cause mild digestive problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is also known to cause skin rashes and allergies in some people.

It is advised to consult a qualified health care provider before using Arathai for medicinal purposes. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid using Arathai.

Conclusion

Arathai is an extensively used plant in Indian traditional systems of medicine and is known for its various therapeutic properties. It is an effective remedy for vatha-related pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and other related symptoms. It is used in the treatment of joint pains, muscle pains, arthritis, paralysis, sciatica, sprains, and fractures. It is also known to possess anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. Arathai is generally safe to use and does not have any major side effects. However, it is advised to consult a qualified health care provider before using Arathai for medicinal purposes.

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