Pterocarpus for treating Diabetes and Medicinal Uses

Botanical Name of Pterocarpus :

Pterocarpus marsupium

Family : Fabaceae

Synonyms of Pterocarpus:

• Hindi – Vijaisar kaashtha
• English – Indian kinowood
• Sanskrit – Pitasala Asana, Sarfaka, Peetasaar
• Telugu – Paiddagi Chekka
• Marathi – Biyala lakda
• Tamil – Vegaimaram chakkal

It is available in the trade name of Bijaisaar Kaashtha, pterocarpus marsupium common name.

Pterocarpus indicus Willd. (Photo credit: Ahmad Fuad Morad)

Pterocarpus is moderate to a large tree of about 90 feet high. It contains yellow flowers. The heart wood of the tree is golden yellow in colour. The bark of the tree yields a reddish gum, named as kino. It is the trade name. The tree is distributed in central and peninsular India. It is grown in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Sub-Himalayan Tract.

Phytochemicals of Pterocarpus:

The phytochemicals which are present in pterocarpus tree are glycosides, flavours, terpenes and phenols. Useful parts of the tree are bark, gum, flowers, leaves and heartwood.

Properties of Pterocarpus:

• Astringent
• Alterant (a drug which corrects the disorders)
• Hypoglycemic

Medicinal Uses of Pterocarpus in Diabetes:

• This tree is found to be useful from the ancient time. The water in which a block of wood is soaked for overnight is to be taken by the diabetic patients.
• Some people use the tumbler made of this wood for drinking water, if water is stored in this tumbler for over night and drunk in the morning, it shows anti-diabetic properties.
• For controlling the diabetes, 56 to 112 ml of the decoction of the bark should be taken once in the morning for about 10-15 days.
• Powered bark of 3 to 6 g if taken after meals for 2 or 3 times in a day controls diabetes.
• 125mg of the extracted juice if taken 2 or 3 times in a day after meals controls diabetes.
• 5g of powdered bark is kept in a cup of water for over night and in the next day, the water is decanted and should be taken on empty stomach in the morning for about 10 days, checks diabetes.
• It reduces the sugar levels in the blood and urine.

Other Uses of Pterocarpus:

• Gum, known as kino is obtained from the incisions of the bark.
• Kino is used as astringent, which shrinks the soft tissues and contracts the blood vessels, thus it checks the flow of blood.
• Pterocarpus marsupium extract is used in Leucoderma, Diarrhoea, Pyrosis (heart burn, gastric hyperacidity) and toothache.
• Bruised leaves have external application for boils, sores and many skin diseases.
• It promotes the skin complexion.
• Flowers are used for treating fevers.
• Used for treating burns, syphilis, stomachache, cholera, dysentry and menorrhagia (prolonged periods)
• It is found useful by the santhal tribals.

Pterocarpus marsupium capsules Doses: Decoction – 50 to 100 ml Powder – 3 to 6 g Extracted Juice – 125 mg