Parts of the Indian Kino (heartwood, leaves, flowers) have long been used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda. The heartwood is used as an astringent and in the treatment of inflammation and diabetes, for which it has been shown to be effective due to its high pterostilbene content.[3][4] In vitro studies into the plant's anti-diabetic properties have also been carried out.[5]
Similipal Kol tribes in Odisha pound a paste mixture of the bark of P. marsupium with the barks of Mangifera indica, Shorea robusta and Spondias pinnata to treat some dysentery illnesses.[2]
In Karnataka the plant is known as Honne or Kempu Honne.Kannada people in India make a wooden tumbler from the heartwood of this herb tree and its aqueous solution is used to cure diabetes. Water is left overnight in the wooden tumbler and is consumed the following morning. The water draws healing properties from the wood overnight. The gum resin of P. marsupium is the only herbal product ever found to regenerate beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.[6] P. marsupium is also available in powder form which is made from the bark of the tree.