Tamil name: கருங்காலி
English name: Khair (cutch tree)
Scientific name: Acacia catechu
Family: Leguminoseae
Khair is a deciduous tree grown in dry regions as a fire break. The gum of this tree is used to adulterant. Black dye extracted from leaves and reddish brown dye from stem is used as natural colouring agents. The heartwood is used in furniture making. It is used to treat painful throat and cough, skin irritations. It has astringent property and is used for proper digestion. Kattha used in paan, is prepared by boiling and processing the heartwood of khair tree. Kattha cures mouth ulcers, boils and skin eruption when applied on the affected area. Bark decoction of this mixed with milk relieves from cold and cough. The mixture of khair powder and cinnamon powder helps to cure diarrhoea.