CHENNAI : Pan chewing, known to us as Thambulam in Tamil and Tambul in other parts of India, is a very ancient custom of Indian tradition. In a larger sense, though it looks like one of our cultural rituals, Tambul is an incredible health practice on the other hand. The traditional pan is ‘devoid of tobacco’ and is made with only betel leaves, katha and areca nut.
According to Ayurveda, the betel leaves regulate the Vata of prakrIti (body) while Katha and Areca nut control Kapha and Pita respectively; hence, managing all the tridoshas of the prakriti and keeping the body healthy. As we know much about betel leaf and areca nut (supari), let us try to understand the little-known plant species — Katha.
Katha is known as Senkarungaali in Tamil; Karinnali in Malayalam, Tharae or Khadira in Kannada and Sendra in Telugu; Acacia catechu (L.f) Willd. [synonym of Acacia sundra (Roxb.) Bedd.] is the botanical name and belongs to the Leguminosae family.Khadira aristam, the fermented drink prepared out of the bark and heart-wood is extensively used in detoxifying the accumulated toxins in the body.
The heartwood and bark are reported to be used against cough, diarrhoea, skin eruptions, leucoderma and wounds. It is also said to be good for treating diabetes, anaemia and intermittent fever. The heartwood-boiled-drinking water is predominantly used in Kerala, for enhancing the metabolism of the body. The seeds are considered to be a good source of protein. The twigs are used as tooth-brush. Khadira is also one of the dye-yielding tree species used in printing and painting. The wood is very hard and is used for making agricultural implements and furniture.
