Rasa (Taste)
Tikta, Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Lata Karanja (Fever nut)
Latakaranja grows throughout India.
Medicinal Plant
Lata Karanja (Fever nut)
Caesalpinia crista · Fabaceae
Latakaranja grows throughout India.
Scientific Name
Caesalpinia crista
Family
Fabaceae
Hindi Name
Kantaki Karanja
Used Part
Beeja (seed), Phala (fruit), Twak (Bark), Patra (leaf).
Botanical Description
About the Lata Karanja Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Latakaranja grows throughout India. It is a large, straggling, thorny shrub, compound 30 to 60 cm long, petioles are prickly. At the base of the leaf, there is a pair of stipules reduced to pinnae. Inflorescence long peduncled, terminal or supra-axillary raceme. The fruits have pods, shortly stalked, oblong, 5 to 7cm long, seeds are 1 to 2in one fruit, lead coloured, 1 to 3 cm long.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Tikshna
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Vata Kapha Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Vishamajwaraghna, Krimighna, Shothahara, Pramehaghna and Shulahara .
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anthelmintic, Styptic, Antipyretic, Antiviral, Antifungal and Antimicrobial.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Seeds contain Caesalpin, Pytosterinin, Bonducin, Saponin, Fatty oil, Starch and kernel contains Caesalpin and Fatty acids.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Lata Karanja
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
It is an important ingredient in Ayush-64, an anti-malarial medicine developed by the Ministry of AYUSH. It is also effective in treating all types of fever.
02
It also helps in managing the symptoms of diabetes like frequent urination, weight loss, excessive thirst, and fatigue.
03
It is used to treat mental disorders in Ayurveda. It is also used to manage neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
04
Latakaranja is very helpful for women with menstrual problems. It regularizes irregular periods and reduces severe menstrual cramps.
05
It also has a calming effect on the central nervous system and thus helps relax psychological tension.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Lata Karanja is a key ingredient.
- Latakaranja Bija Taila, Vishamajwaraghni Vati and Pramehamihira Vati
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
करञ्जः कटुकस्तीक्ष्णो वीर्योष्णो योनिदोषहृत् । कुष्ठोदावर्तगुलमार्शोव्रणकृमिकफापहः ।। (भा.प्र. गुडूच्यादि वर्गः 120) तद्बीजन्तु कुबेराक्षं तिक्तमुष्णं प्रभावतः । विषमज्वरहन्तृ स्याद् यकृच्छूलनिवारणम् ।। (प्रि.नि. हरीतक्यादि वर्गः 211)