Bidi Leaf Tree (Ashmantaka)
Bauhinia racemosa
| Family | Fabaceae |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Ashmantaka |
| हिंदी | आपटा |
| Parts used | bark, leaf |
The bidi leaf tree is a small, crooked tree of the bean family that grows to three to five metres in dry forests of India and Southeast Asia. Its leathery leaves are deeply two-lobed, and it bears small white flowers between February and May.
Known as Ashmantaka in Sanskrit and Apta in Marathi, its leaves are exchanged as symbolic gold during Dussehra. In Ayurveda, its bark and leaves are used in traditional preparations for general wellbeing. The bark and leaf are used.
Articles are for general information about Ayurveda and personal care and are not medical advice. For any health condition, please see a qualified doctor.
