What is the Pterocarpus tree used for?
It is used for fuel wood, for medicinal purposes, as a woodworking material, and is useful as a nitrogen-fixing plant to improve nutrient-depleted farming land. It has several common names, including kosso, barwood, African kino tree, muninga, and vène; mukwa is used for this species as well as other Pterocarpus. This tree is highly valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine, and is also recognized for its durable hardwood. The heartwood extract, known as kino, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, and the wood is sought after in furniture making and construction.
What is the Indian name for Pterocarpus marsupium?
Vijaysaar, also known as Indian Kino Tree or Pterocarpus marsupium, exhibits potent pharmacological actions as an anti-diabetic agent. Its active compounds, epicatechin and Pterostilbene, help lower blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity, inhibiting glucose absorption, and supporting pancreatic function. The deciduous tree Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. PM) is found in Sri Lanka and India. It is known in Hindi as Vijaysar and is a significant medicinal plant used as a folk medicine to treat diabetes. Because of its therapeutic and laxative effects, it is well-known in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.Vijaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium) Vijaysaar is a medium to large deciduous tree that generally grows to a height of 30 meters. This tree is found in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Vijaysaar is used widely in Ayurveda for different therapeutic conditions such as diarrhoea, eczema, viriligo, diabetes, obesity and psoriasis.