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Botanical  Name: Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Butea frondosa
Family: N.O. Leguminosae/Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae

Pterocarpus marsupium:-
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Other Names: Malabar Kino, Benga, Bijiayasal (in western Nepal), Piasal (Oriya), Venkai, and many others.

Common Names: Sanskrit:  Beejak, Asana
Hindi: Vijaysar
Marathi: Bibala
Gujarati: Beeyon
English: Indian Kino Tree
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Tribe: Dalbergieae
Genus: Pterocarpus
Species: P. marsupium
Parts Used: Heart Wood,Gum Kino, bark, Leaves and Flowers
Habitat: Native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, where it occurs in parts of the Western Ghats in the Karnataka-Kerala region.

Description: Pterocarpus marsupium, or the Indian Kino Tree is a medium to large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall.It turns the water blue as soon as it comes in contact with the water

A large deciduous tree with a stout crooked stem and widely spreading branches; bark thick, yellowish grey; the outer layer like cork. Leaves 15-23 cm long, bipinnately compound; leaflets 5-7, coriaceous. Flowers in short, terminal racemes. Fruit pods 2.5-5 cm. Seeds small.

Kino is the inspissated juice of the Bastard Teak (Pterocarpus marsupium) obtained from incisions made in the trunk. The term Kino is also applied to the juice of other plants inspissated without artificial heat. The varieties commonly distinguished are:
MALABAR or EAST INDIAN KINO obtained from P. marsupium.

AFRICAN or GAMBIA KINO from P. erinaceus.

BUTEA, BENGAL, or PALAS KINO from Butea frondosa.

BOTANY BAY, AUSTRALIAN or EUCALYPTUS KINO from different species of Eucalyptus.

WEST INDIAN or JAMAICA KINO from Coccoloba uvifera.

SOUTH AMERICAN or CARACAS KINO, which is identified with Columbian Kino and is believed to be obtained from the same plant that yields the West Indian Kino.

In the British Pharmacopceia Malabar or West Indian Kino is the only one recognized, and this is found in small, brittle glistening pieces, reddish-black in colour. They are odourless with a very astringent taste and stick to the teeth when chewed and make the saliva bright red.

Kino is almost entirely soluble in alcohol and entirely in ether and partly in water.

Chemically it closely resembles catechu, and is very like it in action, but it is less astringent and therefore less effective.

The Indian Pharmacopceia recognizes this kind and also Bengal Kino are recognized, and in the United States other kinds are official as well as these two.

Constituents: …Phytochemistry:  The bark contains 1-epicatechin and a reddish brown colouring matter. The heartwood yields flavones – liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin. Marsupol and other iso- flavonoids. The gum kino, exudate from the bark contains 75% tannic acid, a non-glucosidal tannin, kino tannic acid, kinonin, kinored and a small quantity of catechol (polycatechin), protocatechic acid, resin, pectin and gallic acid. Phytosterols, alkaloids and sesquiterpenes detected.

Medicinal Action and Uses:
Parts of the Indian Kino (heart wood, leaves, flowers) have long been used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda. The heart wood is used as an astringent and in the treatment of inflammation and diabetes.

Similipal Kol tribes in Orissa, India pound a paste mixure of the bark of P. marsupium with the barks of Mangifera indica, Shorea robusta and Spondias pinnata to treat some dysentery illnesses. Also known as Honne or Kempu Honne in Kannada.

The bark of this plant is used as an astringent and for toothaches. It is good for elephantiasis, leucoderma, diarrhea, dysentery, rectalgia, cough and grayness of hair.

Astringent. Used whenever tannin is indicated. Internally in diarrhoea, dysentery, and pyrosis. Externally as a gargle and as an injection for leucorrhoea.

Preparations and Dosages:  Powdered gum, 5 to 20 grains. Comp. powder, B.P., 5 to 20 grains. Tincture, B.P. and U.S.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm.

Aqueous infusion of wood Hypoglycemic, Gum used in diarrhea and dysentery; Anthelmintic and beneficial for skin and hair.
Indications: Diabetes mellitus, skin disorders, diarrhoea and dysentery

Pterocarpus Erinaceus:-
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Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Tribe: Dalbergieae
Genus: Pterocarpus
Species: P. erinaceus

Other names: Bani in Fulfulde, Tolo in Djerma, and Ban in Serer.

Habitat:Native to Sahelian region of West Africa.

The tree is used for fuel wood, for medicinal purposes, as a woodworking material, and that is useful as a nitrogen-fixing plant that helps to improve nutrient-depleted farming land. It has several common names, including muninga, barwood, and vène; mukwa is used for this species as well as other Pterocarpus. Groves of the tree can be found on the savannahs of West Africa, but it is becoming increasingly rare and is sometimes cultivated. The tree also grows in forests of Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire, a region geographically close to the Sahel but with a higher moisture regime due to its location between two large rivers. The tree grows to about 11 meters in height on average, and bears dark, scaly bark and yellow flowers. The fruits are winged pods. P. erinaceus grows well on sunny, hot African plains with long dry seasons and frequent fires.

The wood, which varies from yellowish to rosy reds and rich browns, is valued for woodworking, and makes good charcoal and fuel wood. The tree exudes a red sap called kino, which is used as a dye in tanning and cloth-making. As a legume, the tree harbors rhizobia that return nitrogen to the soil, making it more fertile. Such plants are desirable on farmland. In addition, the foliage is a nutritious fodder for farm animals. Mali has an active market for P. erinaceus foliage, which is in high demand by sheep farmers for fodder. The tree has several medicinal uses, including reduction of fever and cough suppression.

P. erinaceus was brought to Europe in the 19th century by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park. Currently, it is a threatened due to overexploitation, environmental degradation, and climatic changes. However, the tree is somewhat prolific and easy to cultivate, so reforestation efforts have shown some success.

Butea Monosperma:-
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Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Butea
Species: B.monosperma

Other names: Flame of the Forest | Bastard Teak, Parrot Tree (Eng.), Chichra tesu, desuka jhad, dhak, palas, chalcha, kankrei (Hindi), Palashpapra (Urdu), Muthuga (Can.), Kinshuk, Polash, Polashi (Beng.), Pauk (Burmese), Polash (Polax) in Assamese, Porasum, Parasu (Tam.), Muriku, Shamata (Mal.), Modugu (Telugu), Khakda (Guj.), Kela (Sinh.)

Butea monosperma is a species of Butea native to tropical southern Asia, from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. Common names include Kingshuk, Palash, Dhak, Flame of the Forest, Bastard Teak, Parrot Tree and Kesudo (Gujurati).

It is a medium sized dry season-deciduous tree, growing to 15 m tall. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8-16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10-20 cm long. The flowers are 2.5 cm long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm long. The fruit is a pod 15-20 cm long and 4-5 cm broad.[2]

It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The gum from the tree, called kamarkas in Hindi, is used in certain food dishes. The gum is also known as Bengal Kino, and is considered valuable by druggists because of its astringent qualities, and by leather workers because of its tannin. [3] The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it.

In West Bengal it is associated with Spring (season), especially through the poems and songs of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who likened its bright orange flame-like flower to fire. In Santiniketan, where Tagore lived, this flower has become an indispensable part of the celebration of spring. The plant has lent its name to the town of Palashi, famous for the historic Battle of Plassey fought there.

It is said that the tree is a form of Agnidev, God of Fire. It was a punishment given to Him by Goddess Parvati for disturbing Her and Lord Shiva’s privacy.

In the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh these flowers are specially used in the worship of Lord Shiva on occasion of Shivratri. In Telugu this tree is called Modugu chettu.

In Kerala this is called ‘plasu’ and ‘chamata’. Chamata is the vernacular version of Sanskrit word ‘Samidha’, small piece of wood that use for ‘agnihotra’ or fire ritual. In most of the old namboodiri (Kerala brahmin) houses one can find this tree because this is widely use for their fire ritual.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider .

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/k/kinos-04.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterocarpus_marsupium

http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-herbs/pterocarpus-marsupium.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterocarpus_erinaceus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butea_frondosa

http://solumiksherbaceuticals.com/jan_mar_08.htm

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