Katha Powder

Katha Powder, also called kattha or catechu, is a reddish-brown extract made from the heartwood of the khair tree, Acacia catechu (Senegalia catechu). It is best known in India as the brown paste spread on paan leaves, and it has long been used in Ayurveda, oral care, dyeing and leather tanning.

Arizone International supplies Katha Powder and katha pieces for paan and mouth freshener makers, Ayurvedic manufacturers, oral-care brands, dye users, wholesalers and exporters.

How Katha Is Made

The khair tree grows in dry forests across India, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Himalayan foothills. Its dark red heartwood is chipped and boiled in water for many hours. The concentrated liquid is then cooled, and the solid catechu settles out. This is dried into cakes or pieces and ground into powder. Traditionally, this was done by small-scale kattha makers, and in some regions it remains a traditional craft.

Two related products come from this process: pale katha, rich in catechin, used in paan and medicine, and darker cutch, used more for dyeing and tanning.

What Katha Contains

• Catechin and EpicatechinThe main compounds, the same family of polyphenols found in green tea.
• Catechutannic AcidGiving katha its strong astringent taste.
• Flavonoids and QuercetinPresent in smaller amounts.

Traditional and Modern Uses

In paan, katha is paired with chuna (slaked lime), which turns the paste red and gives the mouth its famous red colour after chewing. In Ayurveda, khadira (katha) is described as astringent and cooling, and it is traditionally used for mouth ulcers, sore gums, sore throat and skin conditions. Khadirarishta is a well-known classical preparation. Katha has also been used as a natural brown dye for cotton, fishing nets and leather.

Applications

• Paan, mukhwas and mouth freshener products
• Tooth powders, gum-care and oral rinses
• Ayurvedic formulations such as Khadiradi Vati and Khadirarishta
• Throat lozenges and herbal gargles
• Natural brown dyes for textiles and leather tanning
• Raw material for catechin extraction

Safety Notes

Katha itself is a traditional plant extract, but paan preparations that include tobacco or areca nut carry well-known health risks. Katha products for oral care should be used as directed. Large amounts may cause constipation because of the tannins. People on medication and pregnant women should seek advice before using concentrated katha.

Quality Parameters

• Colour (pale grades are premium for paan)
• Catechin content where specified
• Moisture, ash and water-insoluble matter
• Freedom from adulterants and added colours
• Microbiology and heavy metals

Packaging and Storage

Katha Powder is packed in moisture-proof bags or cartons. Store in a cool, dry place, as katha absorbs moisture and can become sticky.

Tips for Buyers and Formulators

Katha is often used in paan and Ayurvedic blends. Ask for catechin content if you need a standardised grade.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We are an India-based supplier and exporter of traditional herbal products. We supply Katha Powder and pieces in the grade you need, with test reports and full export documentation.

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