Kikar, किँकर, किरकिरात, सानो काँडे बबुल, Kalo Kingkar, Vachellia nilotica ~ NepalAyurveds.com

यो गर्मी क्षेत्रमा किँकर प्रशस्त पाइन्छ । यसको स्वभाव रूखो, टर्रो, गरम, वातनाशक, स्तम्भक मानिन्छ। यसको खोटोले रक्तातिसार, रक्तपित्त, रक्तस्राव, सन्धिवात, शरीर दर्दमा आधा-एक चम्चा खानासाथ लाभ पुऱ्याउँछ । यसले हाड फुटेकोमा जोड्दछ, हैजा तत्काल रोक्छ, पाठेघर बलियो पार्छ । मात्रा : ३-५ ग्राम धूलो, १ / १ माना काँढापानी, अर्क ३० - ५० ग्राम २-३ पटक ।

परिचय

किँकर (Vachellia nilotica) नेपालका विभिन्न भू-भागमा पाइने एक औषधीय रूख हो। यसलाई किरकिरात, सानो काँडे बबुल, कालो किँकर आदि नामले पनि चिनिन्छ। यो गर्मी प्रधान क्षेत्रमा बढी पाइने गर्छ। किँकरको रूख निकै फाइदामन्द मानिन्छ भने यसको बोक्रा, पात, फूल, फल, गोंद सबै औषधीय गुणले भरिपूर्ण हुन्छन्। आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा यसको प्रयोग धेरै पुरानो समयदेखि गरिँदै आएको छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशमा उपलब्धता

किँकर नेपालको तराई र मध्य पहाडी क्षेत्रमा विशेष गरी चिसोपान, नवलपरासी, कपिलवस्तु, रुपन्देही, बारा, पर्सा, सर्लाही जस्ता जिल्लाहरूमा पाइन्छ। यसको उत्पत्ति अफ्रिका मानिन्छ भने यो भारत, पाकिस्तान, बंगलादेश, म्यानमार, श्रीलंका, मध्य पूर्व र अरब देशहरूमा पनि पाइन्छ।

भौतिक गुणहरू

रूखको आकार: किँकरको रूख मध्यम अग्लो (१०–१२ मिटर) हुन्छ।
बोक्रा: यसको बोक्रा कालो र खस्रो हुन्छ, कडा र टर्रो स्वभावको हुन्छ।
पात: साना-साना पातहरू जुनेली रूपमा हुन्छन्।
काँडा: यसमा लामा र तीखा काँडाहरू हुन्छन्।
फूल: सेता गोलाकार फूलहरू हुन्छन्, जुन सुगन्धित हुन्छन्।
फल: यसको फल पहेँला रंगको हुन्छ, जसलाई "किँकरको सिङ्गा" भनिन्छ।

औषधीय गुणहरू

किँकरको विभिन्न भागहरूमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

रस (Taste): कडा, तीतो
गुण (Property): रूखो, गरम
प्रभाव: वातनाशक, स्तम्भक (रक्तस्राव रोक्ने), पाचक, कफपित्तनाशक
उपयोगी भाग: बोक्रा, पात, फल, गोंद

फाइदाहरू

१. पाचन समस्यामा: किँकरको धूलोले पेटको गडबडी, अजीर्ण, पेट दुखाइमा फाइदा गर्छ।
२. रक्तस्राव रोक्ने: यसले नाकबाट रगत बग्ने, रक्तपित्त, मासिक धर्मको अधिक रक्तस्रावलाई नियन्त्रण गर्छ।
३. हाड जोर्ने: हाड फुटेको वा मोच आएको अवस्थामा किँकरको लेप लगाउनाले हाड जोर्न सहयोग पुग्छ।
४. संक्रमणरोधी: यसमा एन्टिब्याक्टेरियल गुण भएकोले घाउ, फोक्सो, छालाको संक्रमणमा लाभदायक छ।
५. मुख रोग: किँकरको बोक्राको काढाले मुख धुने गर्नाले दाँत दुखाइ, मुखको घाउ, माढाको सुन्निएको अवस्थामा फाइदा गर्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

१. धूलो (पाउडर): किँकरको बोक्रा सुकाएर पिँधेर धूलो बनाइन्छ। ३–५ ग्राम धूलो पानी वा शहदसँग मिसाएर खाने।
२. काढा: बोक्रा वा पात उमालेर काढा बनाइन्छ। ५०–१०० मिलिलिटर काढा दिनमा २–३ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
३. लेप: हाड मोचिएको वा घाउमा किँकरको पातको पेस्ट लगाउन सकिन्छ।
४. गोंद: किँकरको गोंदलाई दूधसँग मिसाएर खानाले शरीर बलियो बनाउँछ।

उत्पादन र संरक्षण

कटाई: किँकरको बोक्रा, पात र फलहरू सुक्खा मौसममा एकत्र गर्नुपर्छ।
सुकाउने: बोक्रा र पातहरू छायाँमा सुकाएर भण्डारण गर्नुपर्छ।
संरक्षण: सुकेका भागहरू एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्नुपर्छ ताकि यसको गुण कायम रहोस्।

निष्कर्ष

किँकर एक बहुउपयोगी औषधीय रूख हो जसले मानिसहरूलाई धेरै रोगबाट बचाउन सक्छ। यसको प्रयोग आयुर्वेद, स्थानीय चिकित्सा र घरेलु उपचारमा धेरै पुरानो समयदेखि हुँदै आएको छ। यसले पाचन, रक्तस्राव, हाड जोर्ने, संक्रमणजन्य रोग लगायत धेरै स्वास्थ्य समस्याहरूमा राम्रो असर गर्छ। तर, यसको सेवनमा मात्राको ध्यान दिनुपर्छ किनभने अधिक मात्रामा यसले पेट दुखाउन सक्छ। यसरी किँकर जस्ता पारम्परिक औषधीहरूको संरक्षण र सही उपयोगले हाम्रो स्वास्थ्य रोगमुक्त बनाउन मद्दत गर्छ।

1. Introduction

Kikar, known by several names like किँकर, किरकिरात, सानो काँडे बबुल, or Kalo Kingkar, is a thorny tree that has been part of traditional medicine for centuries. Scientifically called Vachellia nilotica, it belongs to the Fabaceae family and is closely related to the acacia family. It grows mostly in hot, dry areas and is especially common in South Asia and Africa.

People might look at this thorny tree and ignore it. But its bark, resin (gum), pods, and even thorns have strong medicinal value. In traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicine, it’s used to treat a wide range of problems like joint pain, bleeding disorders, diarrhea, and even cholera.

2. Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

Kikar is commonly found in the Terai and lower hilly regions of Nepal, especially in hot, dry, and less fertile lands. It grows well along the roadside, riverbanks, open fields, and fallow lands where there's enough sun.

Apart from Nepal, Kikar is also widely found in:

India (Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh)
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
African countries like Sudan, Egypt, and Kenya
Australia and the Middle East, though it's considered invasive in some of these places

It’s a hardy plant that doesn’t need much care, making it a great resource in areas where other plants don’t grow easily.

3. Physical Properties

Here’s what the Kikar tree looks and feels like:

Height: Can grow up to 15–20 meters tall
Bark: Dark brown or nearly black; rough and deeply cracked
Leaves: Small, compound, feathery; similar to tamarind leaves
Thorns: Pairs of straight, white thorns grow at the base of each leaf
Flowers: Small, yellow, ball-shaped and fragrant, usually bloom in spring
Pods: Long, flat seed pods with bumps (each bump contains a seed)
Gum (Khoto): Sticky resin exudes from the bark when it is injured; this is dried and used for medicinal purposes

It has a bitter, astringent, and slightly sweet taste. In Ayurveda, it's said to have “rooksha” (dry), “kashaya” (astringent), “tikta” (bitter) qualities and a “ushna” (hot) potency. This makes it ideal for balancing vata and kapha doshas.

4. Medicinal Properties

The different parts of the Kikar tree have many healing qualities. Here's a breakdown:

Part Used	Medicinal Action
Bark	Astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic
Gum (Khoto)	Astringent, styptic (stops bleeding), demulcent
Leaves	Antibacterial, wound-healing
Pods	Digestive aid, anti-diarrheal
Thorns	Rarely used, but can be powdered for external pain-relief

According to traditional medicine, it helps with:

Raktatisar (bloody dysentery)
Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
Sandhivata (joint pain and arthritis)
Body aches and pains
Bone healing after fractures
Uterus strengthening
Controlling excessive bleeding
Cholera

Its gum is especially valued. Just half to one teaspoon taken with warm water can help in controlling internal bleeding and stomach issues.

5. Advantages of Kikar

Here’s why Kikar is considered a powerful herbal remedy:

Grows easily even in poor soil
Available in almost every village
Nearly all parts of the plant are useful
Affordable and accessible natural medicine
Helps in both internal and external healing
Strong astringent property—great for stopping bleeding and healing wounds
Can be stored for long periods if dried properly

6. Uses of Kikar in Traditional Medicine

Let’s look at how people actually use Kikar in their daily lives:

Gum for Dysentery and Bleeding: ½ to 1 teaspoon of the gum (खोटो) mixed with warm water is taken 2–3 times a day. It’s very effective against bloody diarrhea, internal bleeding, and heavy periods.
Joint Pain: Bark decoction is used as a drink or added to bath water to relieve arthritis and muscle pain.
Fractures: The paste of bark is applied externally to help heal broken bones faster.
Cholera: In emergencies, the gum is given orally, and it helps in stopping vomiting and diarrhea quickly.
Uterus Strengthening: Women with a weak uterus or after childbirth are given Kikar gum to boost reproductive health.
Gargle for Sore Throat: Bark decoction can be used as a mouthwash to treat throat infections and mouth ulcers.
Skin Healing: Powdered bark can be applied on cuts, boils, or wounds to dry them up and promote faster healing.

7. How to Use It (Dosage & Methods)

Here’s how you can safely use Kikar for its health benefits:

Powder: 3–5 grams of dried bark or leaf powder mixed with honey or warm water
Khoto (Gum): ½ to 1 teaspoon with lukewarm water; taken 2–3 times a day
Decoction (Kaadha): Boil 30–50 grams of bark in 500 ml water until it reduces to half; drink this warm
External Paste: Make a thick paste with bark powder and water; apply to swollen joints or wounds
Vaginal Douche: Bark decoction can be used to cleanse and strengthen the uterus (under expert guidance)

Note: Always consult a trained herbalist or Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any herbal treatment, especially in serious conditions or pregnancy.

8. Harvesting and Preservation

Harvest Time: Gum is best collected during the hot and dry months when it naturally seeps from the tree. Bark and leaves can be collected year-round.
How to Collect: Use a clean blade to lightly cut the bark. The sticky resin (gum) will start coming out. Let it dry naturally and then collect it in a clean container.
Drying: Bark and leaves should be sun-dried in the shade to preserve their medicinal value.
Storage: Once dry, store in an airtight glass jar or paper pouch away from moisture and sunlight. Gum can last for years if kept dry.

9. Conclusion

Kikar, or Vachellia nilotica, is more than just a thorny tree in the wild. It's a traditional healer packed with powerful medicinal properties. From treating diarrhea and joint pain to strengthening the uterus and healing wounds, this humble tree has proven itself again and again in folk and Ayurvedic medicine.

In rural areas, where modern medicines might not always be accessible, Kikar is a gift of nature—affordable, effective, and deeply rooted in Nepali healing traditions.

Whether you're an herbal enthusiast, a practitioner, or someone just looking to explore local healing plants, Kikar is definitely one herb you shouldn’t ignore. Respect its power, use it wisely, and it can be a great ally in natural healing.

Reference

दतिवन Washerman’s Plant (Achyranthes aspera अपामार्ग): Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

ज्योतिष्मती Jyotishmati (Black Oil Tree) – Intellect Tree (Celastrus paniculatus) Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

लाली गुराँस Lali Gurans (Rhododendron campanulatum) – Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties of Rhododendron

Kooth (Saussurea Lappa) – कूठ Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties of Costus Root

काने झार Commeline Benghalensis (Kane Jhaar) – Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Overview

गिँदरी Premna Serratifolia L. (Gindari): Benefits, Medicinal Uses, and Importance

पाञ्चान Ougeinia oojeinensis (Paanchan): तिनिश Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Ecological Importance

बोके टिमुर Zanthoxylum Armatum (Boke Timur) Benefits, Uses, and Medicinal Properties

ठूलो नीम Thulo Neem: महारूख Medicinal Benefits, Uses, and Natural Remedies

सिउँडी Siudi (Euphorbia Neriifolia) Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and Medicinal Properties

काठेकार, फर्कफल, काठआँवली, Averrhoe acida :