Butea frondosa [flame of the forest] A review

Butea frondosa [Syn. Butea monosperma] is an important gum yielding tree and commonly known as Butea kino or Bengal kino. B. frondosa is a multipurpose herb and is frequently employed in number of medicinal preparations for the powerful astringent action of the gum. It is given internally for dysentery and diarrhoea. It is also used as diuretic, aphrodisiac and for the treatment of herpes, skin ulcers and in piles. Due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory action it has recently been employed in a number of cosmetic formulations. This article deals with the pharmacognostic, clinical and therapeutic significance of B. frondosa