Kinos
Botanical: Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Butea frondosa
Family: N.O. Leguminosae
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.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---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.
See EUCALYPTUS.
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