Kazharchikkai (கழற்சிக்காய்) is the Tamil name for the nicker nut of the bonduc plant, the botanical Guilandina bonduc (family Fabaceae). AVM Herbals’ Kazharchikkai Powder is titled “Bonduc Seed” and its ingredient line gives the plant as Caesalpinia bonduc.
Names at a glance
- Tamil: கழற்சிக்காய் (Kazharchikkai) for the nut and கழற்சி (Kazharchi) for the vine; Tamil Wikipedia also lists கச்சூரம், கெச்சக்காய் and வஜ்ரபீஜம்
- English: nicker nut, bonduc, molucca bean
- Botanical: Guilandina bonduc L. (family Fabaceae); Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., the name on AVM’s listing, is a homotypic synonym
- Part used in AVM’s powder: seed, as stated in the product title
One plant, two names
Kew accepts Guilandina bonduc L. and lists Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. as a homotypic synonym, so the two names refer to the same plant. AVM Herbals’ listing keeps the older name.
The seed inside the pod
English Wikipedia describes a scrambling, thorny shrub or vine whose spiny pods hold one or two glossy grey seeds. Tamil Wikipedia describes the கழற்சிக்காய் as hard-shelled with a white kernel inside, and says it was used for the game கழங்காடுதல் mentioned in Tamil literature. AVM Herbals’ title names the part as the seed.
In the AVM Herbals range
Kazharchikkai Powder is made from bonduc seed. Its product page gives the directions for use and the pack size; please follow the directions on the pack. AVM Herbals lists it in the Cooling and Urinary-System Wellness collections.
Herbal products are not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition, please speak to a qualified practitioner before starting any herbal product.
தமிழில் சுருக்கம்
கழற்சிக்காய் என்பது கழற்சி (Guilandina bonduc; Caesalpinia bonduc என்றும் எழுதப்படுவது) என்ற கொடித் தாவரத்தோடு தொடர்புடைய பெயர். ஏவிஎம் ஹெர்பல்ஸின் கழற்சிக்காய் பொடியின் தலைப்பு “Bonduc Seed” (கழற்சி விதை) எனக் குறிப்பிடுவதால் இது விதையிலிருந்து தயாரிக்கப்படுகிறது; பயன்படுத்தும் முறைக்குத் தயாரிப்புப் பக்கத்தைப் பார்க்கவும்.
References
- Kew Plants of the World Online (POWO) — Guilandina bonduc L., accepted species, family Fabaceae; Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. is listed as a homotypic synonym (botanical identity and accepted name only): powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:114706-2
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Guilandina bonduc L. (name record): ipni.org/n/114706-2
- English Wikipedia — Guilandina bonduc (nicker nut; habit; pods and seeds): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilandina_bonduc
- Tamil Wikipedia — கழற்சிக்காய் (Tamil names; hard shell and kernel; the game கழங்காடுதல்): ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/கழற்சிக்காய்
- AVM Herbals product listing (title “Bonduc Seed”, Tamil product name கழற்சிக்காய் பொடி and ingredient line): Kazharchikkai Powder
These references establish the plant’s identity and accepted name, the seed and the Tamil names; they are not evidence of health effects. This is general traditional-use information, not medical advice.
About this guide
Published by AVM Herbals. Prepared with AI assistance from the cited botanical sources and AVM product listings. Tamil wording is awaiting native review. Suggest a correction.