Pterocarpus marsupium

Pterocarpus marsupium

Know our Plant

Systematic Classification:

Division   : Angiospermae 
Class      : Dicotyledons
Order      : Fabales
Family     : Fabaceae
Genus      : Pterocarpus
Species    : marsupium

Common Name:

Malabar kino, Indian kino tree, Vijayasar

General Information:

Pterocarpus marsupium is a medium to large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 m (98 ft) tall. It is native to India (where it occurs in parts of the Western Ghats in the Karnataka-Kerala region and in the forests of Central India), Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Economic Importance:

  • Indian kino is often used in herbal medicine in India, the leaves, bark and most commonly the resin being used. A strongly astringent herb, it is also alterative. In addition, various trials have shown a hypoglycaemic effect from an aqueous extract of the heartwood.
  • The resin obtained from wounds in the bark is astringent. It contains about 75% kinotannic acid. It is used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and the irritation caused by gastric infection and colitis.
  • The resin is applied topically in the treatment of skin conditions.The bark is used, either as a powder or in decoction, in the treatment of diarrhoea.
  • The bruised leaves are used as a poultice on boils, sores and skin diseases.The bark is used, either as a powder or in decoction, in the treatment of diarrhoea.