Talk:Bijaka
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Bijaka |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., popularly known as Bijaka, Malabar Kino, or Indian Kino Tree, is a large, deciduous tree native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In Ayurveda, it is highly revered for its anti-diabetic (*Prameha*), skin-protective (*Kustha*), and Kapha-Vata pacifying properties.[1]
English Name
Malabar kino, Indian kino
Therapeutic Use
Worms infestation (Krimiroga), Psoriasis (Kustha), Diabetes mellitus (Prameha), Anaemia (Pandu), Obesity (Medodosa)[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Pterocarpus marsupium f. acuminata (Prain)
- Pterocarpus marsupium f. acuta Prain
- Pterocarpus marsupium f. biloba (Roxb. ex G. Don)
Identification Characters
- Pivara – Trunk of Bijaka is very large.
- Mahasarja – Bijaka is big tree like that of Sarja (Vateria indica).
- Tishya – Bijaka blossoms in Pushya masa (Late winter).
- Sugandhi – Flowers are aromatic.
- Pitasara – Heart wood of Bijaka is yellow in colour.
- Pitashalaka – Heart wood is yellow in colour and resemble heart wood of Sala (Shorea robusta).
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Pitasara – Heart wood of Bijaka is yellow in colour.
- Pitashaalaka – Heart wood is yellow in colour and resemble heart wood of saala (Shorea robusta).
- Bandhukpushpa
- Priyaka
- Sarjaka
- Asana
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
- Bijaka
- Pitasara
- Pitashalaka
- Bandhukapushpa
- Priyaka
- Sarjaka
- Asana[2]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Bijaka has the following properties:
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Astringent (Kasaya) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Dry (Ruksa), Light (Laghu) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata dosha |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Bijaka is documented across therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/106 | As an ingredient of Bijakarishta |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/56 | As an ingredient of Shyonakadi Parisheka and Pralepa |
Dose
- Decoction (*Kwatha*): 50 – 100 gm of the drug.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Nyagrodhadi Churna
- Asanabilvadi Taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha.
- Out of India: Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Taiwan.
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological efficacy of *Pterocarpus marsupium* heartwood and bark is attributed to a distinct profile of secondary metabolites:
- Flavonoids & Polyphenols: Pterostilbene, marsupin, epicatechin, and liquiritigenin.
- Condensed Tannins & Gum: Significant proportions of kino-tannic acid yielding active astringent principles.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological investigations validate several traditional claims associated with *Pterocarpus marsupium*:
1. Anti-Diabetic and Hypoglycemic Activity (*Prameha*)
- Traditional Use: Highly indicated in *Prameha* (diabetes mellitus) and metabolic disorders.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Pterostilbene and epicatechin present in the heartwood demonstrate profound insulin-mimetic properties, enhancing peripheral glucose uptake, regenerating pancreatic beta-cells, and lowering blood glucose levels in experimental models.[3]
2. Antihyperlipidemic and Metabolic Support (*Medodosa*)
- Traditional Use: Indicated in *Medodosa* (obesity) and lipid dysregulation.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Aqueous extracts significantly reduce serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), preventing lipid accumulation and supporting vascular health.[4]
3. Skin Protection and Anti-psoriatic Action (*Kustha*)
- Traditional Use: Used for *Kustha* (psoriasis and skin disorders) and chronic skin lesions.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of kino-tannic acid fractions suppress inflammatory pathways, reduce cellular proliferation, and accelerate dermal healing.[5]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes (*Prameha*) | Pterostilbene, Epicatechin | Beta-cell regeneration, Hypoglycemic action |
| Lipid Disorders (*Medodosa*) | Phenolic compounds | Lipid profile normalization, Antihyperlipidemic |
| Skin Diseases (*Kustha*) | Kino-tannic acid, Tannins | Anti-inflammatory, Anti-proliferative |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Safe within therapeutic limits; avoid excessive dosages without professional supervision.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Decoction (*Kwatha*): 50–100 gm.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:8
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Vatadi Varga, Verse no. 25 - 26, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.
- ↑ Chakravarthy, I. K., et al. "Insulin release and insulin-like activity of Pterocarpus marsupium if heartwood extracts." Life Sciences.
- ↑ Variya, B. C., et al. "Pterocarpus marsupium (Malabar kino): Chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic potential." Pharmaceutical Biology.
- ↑ Manickam, M., et al. "Antidiabetic activity of hypoglycemic principles from Pterocarpus marsupium." Journal of Natural Products.
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