Pterocarpus Marsupium, Roxb

Family - Fabaceae

Names - Hindi - Vijaisar kaashtha

English - Indian kinowood

Peetasaar, Sanskrit- Pitasala Asana, Sarfaka

Telugu - Paiddagi Chekka

Marathi - Biyala lakda

Tamil - Vegaimaram chakkal

Trade name - Bijaisaar Kaashtha

Description: A moderate to large tree about 90 ft or more high. Leaves compound, having 5-7 leaflets,

3 to 5 inch long, oblong or elliptic, margin wavy, flower about 1.5 cm long, yellow in colour.

The heartwood of this tree is golden yellow. Tree bark yields a reddish gum called kino, the trade

name.

Distribution: The tree is common in central and peninsular India, found at 3000 ft in Gujarat, Madhya

Pradesh and Sub-Himalayan Tract. Also available in Indian Market.

Phytochemicals: Glycosides, flavours, terpenes, phenols.

Parts used: Bark, gum, flowers, leaves, heartwood.

Properties

Astringent, alterant (A drug which corrects, or is presumed to correct disordered bodily function),

hypoglycemic.

Medicinal Uses

(a) In Diabetes

The tree has been regarded as useful in diabetes from ancient time. The water, in which a block of

wood of this tree has been soaked overnight is given to diabetic patients.

Water stored overnight in a tumbler made of this wood has shown anti-diabetic properties. People

often seen using such tumbler for drinking water.

Decoction of bark 56 to 112 ml once in the morning for 10-15 days is useful in controlling diabetes.

Powdered bark 3 to 6 g or extracted juice 125 mg 2/3 times after meals control diabetes.

Powdered bark 5 g left overnight in a cup of water. Next day, water is decanted and taken on empty

stomach in the morning for 10 days checks diabetes. Promising results have been reported with

regard to reduction in the sugar levels in blood and urine.

(b) Other Uses

The gum (Kino) which is obtained from incisions in bark is astringent (a substance that shrinks soft

tissues and contracts blood vessels thus checking the flow of blood) and used in leucoderma,

diarrhoea, pyrosis (heart burn; gastric hyperacidity) and toothache. Bruised leaves are used

externally for boils, sores and various skin diseases. It promotes the complexion of the skin. The

flowers are used in fevers. The plant is considered to be useful by santhal tribals in burns, syphilis,

stomachache, cholera, dysentery and menorrhagia (Excessive or prolonged periods).

Doses

Decoction - 50 to 100 ml

Powder - 3 to 6 g

Extracted Juice - 125 mg volcano vaporizer review