Flowers have always held a special place in Ayurveda. Beyond their beauty and fragrance, traditional Ayurvedic texts recognised several flowers for their distinctive qualities and therapeutic potential. Karnikara in Ayurveda represents one such lesser-known botanical treasure. Today, however, this beautiful flowering tree remains far less familiar than popular Ayurvedic flowers such as lotus, jasmine, and hibiscus.
Karnikara is commonly identified with Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd., a flowering tree also known by names such as Muchkunda and Kanak Champa. Modern botanical sources place it in the family Malvaceae.
Its fragrant flowers, large leaves, and traditional medicinal significance make Karnikara an interesting addition to the Forgotten Ayurvedic Flowers series.
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I’m Dr. Malini Bhat MD (Ayu); an Ayurvedic Doctor and a health blogger. Follow me on social media to get daily health tips which you can easily adapt to a healthy lifestyle.