Heartwood powder, 500 g
Vijaysar Powder
Single-herb Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood powder — the form traditionally prepared as a decoction at home.
View ProductPterocarpus marsupium · Indian Kino heartwood
Vijaysar.A classical Ayurvedic heartwood, explained honestly.
What Vijaysar is, how Ayurveda has traditionally used it, what the published research does and does not show, and how to obtain it from a practising Ayurvedic pharmacy — without exaggerated promises.
Chakrapani Ayurveda · JaipurSince 1995
Practising since 1995
Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center, Jaipur, India.
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Written and reviewed by qualified Ayurvedic physicians.
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Classical formulations dispensed from the clinic's own pharmacy.
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Ayurveda Pharmacy
Vijaysar, in two authentic forms.
Prepared and dispensed by Chakrapani Ayurveda. Orders, pricing and shipping are handled on chakrapaniayurveda.com.
Heartwood in capsule form
Vijaysar Capsule
The same heartwood in pre-measured capsules, for people who prefer convenience over preparing the herb themselves.
View ProductA wooden Vijaysar tumbler is also made, but it does not currently have its own product page. Please confirm availability with Chakrapani directly — the guide further down this page explains how a tumbler is used.
Choose the right path.
I know what I want
Go straight to the Chakrapani shop and order the heartwood or capsules.
Shop VijaysarI want advice first
Write to a Vaidya about your situation before deciding whether the herb suits you.
Ask a VaidyaI want to read the evidence
See what the published studies report — and what they do not establish.
Read the researchWhat is Vijaysar?
Vijaysar —
Pterocarpus marsupium
Common names: Bijasar (Hindi) · Indian Kino / Malabar Kino Tree (English) · Asana, Bijaka (Sanskrit)
Vijaysar is the deep red heartwood of a tree of the Fabaceae family native to India. Sanskrit sources name it Asana and Bijaka. The heartwood is what gives water standing in a Vijaysar vessel its characteristic amber tint, and it is the part most often used in the preparations described on this page.
Rasa (Taste)Kashaya, Tikta — Astringent, Bitter
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Ruksha
Virya (Potency)Sheeta — Cooling
Vipaka (Post-digestive)Katu — Pungent
Dosha EffectTraditionally described as pacifying Kapha & Pitta
Parts UsedHeartwood, bark, gum, flowers, leaves
Traditional areas of use
Prameha & metabolic balance
Classical texts group Vijaysar with the Pramehahara herbs, used within formulations for disturbed metabolism.
Kapha & Meda
Described as Lekhana — used traditionally where excess Kapha and Meda dhatu are considered to have accumulated.
Skin
Kushtaghna in the classical sense — included in traditional preparations for persistent skin complaints.
Long-term use in tradition
Used over extended periods in classical practice, always as part of practitioner-guided care rather than self-treatment.
These are descriptions of traditional Ayurvedic use recorded in the classical literature. They are not claims about how the herb will act in any particular person.
The traditional Ayurvedic perspective
How the classical texts place this heartwood.
Vijaysar appears in the classical Ayurvedic literature — including the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasha and Ashtanga Hridaya — both singly and within compound formulations. What follows summarises that traditional framework in its own terms.
01
Prameha & Madhumeha
Vijaysar is listed among the herbs used in Prameha (a classical group of urinary and metabolic disorders) and Madhumeha, generally within compound formulations rather than alone.
02
Kapha, Meda & Sthaulya
Described as Lekhana and Kapha-Medohara, and used traditionally in Sthaulya where excess Meda dhatu and ama are considered involved.
03
Skin & wound care
Classified as Kushtaghna and Krimighna, and included in traditional preparations for persistent skin complaints and slow-healing wounds.
04
Rasayana context
Used over longer periods within Rasayana regimens in classical practice, alongside diet and daily routine rather than on its own.
Selected Published Research
What the published literature actually reports.
Below is a small, deliberately conservative selection of published work involving Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium) or compounds obtained from it. Each entry links to its original publication record so you can read the source yourself. The study designs differ — some human studies used Vijaysar on its own, others used it as add-on therapy or alongside other groups — and much of the remaining research is in laboratories or animals, so none of it should be read as a promise of a result for any individual.
You can also search Indian government-collated Ayurveda research on the AYUSH Research Portal (advanced search). Listing on a research portal is not an endorsement of any product.
Featured studies — directly relevant Vijaysar research
Human study — multicentre flexible-dose open trial, Vijayasar alone
Flexible dose open trial of Vijayasar (Pterocarpus marsupium) in newly diagnosed, untreated type 2 diabetes
Indian Journal of Medical Research (ICMR multicentre trial) · 1998
- What was studied
- The study examined Vijayasar (Pterocarpus marsupium) extract on its own, given at flexible daily doses of 2–4 g across four centres in India to newly diagnosed or previously untreated people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, over 12 weeks.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes in fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and in HbA1c over the 12-week period among the participants who completed the trial, with most reaching the study's control target on the 2 g dose. Four participants were withdrawn because of high post-prandial readings, and no side-effects were reported.
- How to read this
- An open trial without a placebo group, so the observed changes cannot be separated from natural variation or from the effect of being monitored. The findings relate to the extract preparation, doses and study conditions used, and are not a dosage recommendation.
Human study — open, non-randomised add-on therapy
Pterocarpus marsupium wood powder as add-on therapy in people with type 2 diabetes
International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology · 2015
- What was studied
- A prospective, open, non-randomised study in which 2–4 g per day of Pterocarpus marsupium wood powder was used as add-on therapy alongside participants' existing oral anti-diabetic medicines. Fifty-six people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were enrolled at a hospital in Gwalior and followed for 12 weeks.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes from baseline in fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin at the end of the 12-week period, and recorded no adverse events.
- How to read this
- Because the wood powder was added to existing medication, and there was no control group or randomisation, the reported changes cannot be attributed to Vijaysar on its own. The findings relate to the preparation and study conditions used and say nothing about changing or stopping any medication.
Human study — multi-arm, with a distinct Vijaysar arm
Vijaysar, Aloe vera, and their combination in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology · 2017
- What was studied
- A multi-arm study of 120 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes divided into four groups — Aloe vera alone, Vijaysar alone, the two combined, and glimepiride — over thirteen weeks. It was not a study of Vijaysar exclusively; Vijaysar formed one distinct arm.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes in fasting plasma glucose, two-hour post-prandial glucose and HbA1c across all four groups, with the largest changes in the glimepiride group. One participant in the Vijaysar group reported diarrhoea that settled within a week.
- How to read this
- A single-blind study at one centre. Only the Vijaysar-alone arm relates to Vijaysar on its own. The findings relate to the preparations, doses and study conditions used, and do not establish an outcome for any individual.
Animal study
Antihyperglycemic activity of phenolics from Pterocarpus marsupium
Journal of Natural Products · 1997
- What was studied
- The study examined isolated heartwood constituents — marsupsin, pterosupin and pterostilbene — given to rats in an experimental model of raised blood glucose.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes in blood glucose in the treated animals for marsupsin and pterostilbene in this model.
- How to read this
- An animal study of isolated compounds. Findings in animals do not establish the same effect in people, and no dose for human use follows from it.
Animal study
Pterocarpus marsupium extract (Vijayasar) and metabolic changes induced in rats fed fructose as the sole carbohydrate
Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism · 2005
- What was studied
- The study examined Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood extract in rats fed a diet in which fructose was the only carbohydrate, comparing their metabolic measurements with untreated animals.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes in several of the metabolic measurements seen in the untreated fructose-fed animals.
- How to read this
- An animal dietary model. The findings relate to the preparation and study conditions used and do not translate directly into a human outcome.
Laboratory study
Alcoholic extract of Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood: antioxidant, anti-glycation, sorbitol accumulation and aldose reductase activity in vitro
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine · 2017
- What was studied
- The study examined an alcoholic heartwood extract across antioxidant, anti-glycation, sorbitol accumulation and aldose reductase laboratory assays.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported antioxidant and anti-glycation activity and inhibition of aldose reductase in these laboratory assays.
- How to read this
- Test-tube and cell-level work only. It describes chemical behaviour in the laboratory, not an effect in people.
Multi-herb formulation study
Randomised, double-blind trial of a herbal formulation (GlycaCare-II) compared with metformin in type 2 diabetes
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome · 2021
- What was studied
- The study examined a seven-ingredient herbal formulation containing Pterocarpus marsupium alongside Gymnema sylvestre, Salacia reticulata, Emblica officinalis, Curcuma longa, Tinospora cordifolia and Trigonella foenum-graecum, compared with metformin, in 69 participants over 120 days.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported changes in HbA1c, fasting and post-prandial blood sugar in both arms, and recorded no adverse events during the trial.
- How to read this
- A multi-herb formulation was tested, so the findings cannot be attributed to Vijaysar alone. The sample was small and the study was funded by the ingredient manufacturer.
Multi-herb formulation study
Ayurvedic polyherbal combination (PDBT) for prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine · 2019
- What was studied
- The study examined a five-herb Ayurvedic combination containing Pterocarpus marsupium alongside Gymnema sylvestre, Tinospora cordifolia, Emblica officinalis and Curcuma longa, plus lifestyle modification, against placebo plus lifestyle modification, in 114 people with prediabetes over six months.
- What was reported
- Researchers reported fewer conversions to diabetes in the herbal group than in the placebo group, alongside changes in fasting and post-prandial glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. No adverse effects were reported.
- How to read this
- Vijaysar was one of five herbs in the tested combination and both groups also followed lifestyle changes, so the findings cannot be attributed to Vijaysar alone.
Laboratory study
In silico analysis of PTP1B inhibitors and identification of free-radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory compounds from Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood extract
ACS Omega · 2022
- What was studied
- Computational modelling combined with TLC–MS bioautography of heartwood extract fractions.
- What was reported
- The authors reported candidate compounds with free-radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory activity in these analyses.
- How to read this
- Computational and laboratory screening; no human or animal outcomes.
Animal study
Pterocarpus marsupium bark extracts and aldose reductase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
3 Biotech · 2018
- What was studied
- Bark extracts were given to rats in an experimental diabetes model and lens changes plus aldose reductase activity were measured.
- What was reported
- The authors reported inhibition of aldose reductase activity and a protective effect on lens changes in the treated animals.
- How to read this
- Animal study using bark rather than the heartwood used in the traditional preparations described on this page.
Laboratory study
Enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of traditional medicinal plants relevant to the management of hyperglycaemia
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2012
- What was studied
- A comparative laboratory screen of several traditional medicinal plants, including Pterocarpus marsupium, across carbohydrate-digesting enzyme and antioxidant assays.
- What was reported
- The authors reported measurable enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activity among the screened plant extracts.
- How to read this
- A multi-plant laboratory screen. Results are comparative chemistry, not clinical findings.
Laboratory study
Exploring the anti-diabetic potential of Australian Aboriginal and Indian Ayurvedic plant extracts using cell-based assays
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2015
- What was studied
- Cell-based assays were used to compare a range of traditional plant extracts, including Pterocarpus marsupium, for effects on glucose handling.
- What was reported
- The authors reported differing activity between extracts in these cell-based assays.
- How to read this
- Cell-culture work only; not a study in people.
Laboratory study
A molecular connection of Pterocarpus marsupium, Eugenia jambolana and Gymnema sylvestre with dipeptidyl peptidase-4
Pharmaceutical Biology · 2014
- What was studied
- Laboratory and molecular analysis of three traditional plants against the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme.
- What was reported
- The authors reported interaction with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 for the studied extracts.
- How to read this
- Mechanistic laboratory work; no clinical endpoints were measured.
Review of published studies
Pharmacological and clinical studies of medicinal plants that inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-IV
Drug Design, Development and Therapy · 2023
- What was studied
- A review of published pharmacological and clinical literature on medicinal plants reported to inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, Pterocarpus marsupium among them.
- What was reported
- The review summarises the published evidence and notes where it remains limited or of low quality.
- How to read this
- A narrative review of other people's studies rather than new data, and it covers many plants.
Chakrapani product quality
The research above concerns the plant and its constituents as studied by independent researchers. It is separate from, and says nothing about, any particular product. Chakrapani Ayurveda's own preparation standards, sourcing and testing are described on its website, and questions about a specific batch or product are best answered directly by the pharmacy.
Ask Chakrapani about a productUsing the Herb
How to use a Vijaysar wooden tumbler.
The wooden tumbler is the household preparation most people associate with Vijaysar: water is left standing in a vessel turned from the heartwood, and takes on colour from the wood. It is a traditional practice, not a measured medicine.
Preparation
Quantities, timing and how often to use a tumbler vary between makers and between individuals. Follow the instructions supplied with the actual product you receive, and ask a Vaidya if you would like guidance specific to you. This page does not set a universal amount or schedule.
The colour of the water is normal — and variable
Water standing in the tumbler usually takes on a pale to deep amber tint. The depth of colour differs from vessel to vessel and from day to day. A lighter colour is not by itself a sign of a poor product.
What affects the colour
The part and age of the wood, how the vessel was turned and finished, how long water has been standing in it, water temperature and mineral content, and how many times the vessel has already been used all change how much colour appears.
Care
Rinse with plain water, avoid soap and detergents, and let the vessel dry fully in air away from direct heat before storing. Do not put a wooden vessel in a dishwasher or microwave.
When to replace it
A wooden vessel is a consumable and does not last indefinitely, but there is no single lifespan that applies to every tumbler. Replace it when the maker's instructions advise, or if it cracks, develops an odour, or shows any sign of mould or damage.
Authenticity and orders
Vijaysar wood products vary widely in the market. Buy from a source that will tell you what the vessel is made from, and confirm details of any order directly with the seller before paying. Chakrapani Ayurveda's team can confirm what is currently available and how it is supplied.Check availability with Chakrapani
Comparing the available forms
Wooden tumblerA vessel turned from Vijaysar heartwood. Water is left standing in it and takes on colour from the wood.People who prefer the traditional household preparation.
Heartwood piecesLoose pieces of heartwood, traditionally prepared as a decoction (kwatha).People who want to prepare the herb themselves.
Powder (churna)Ground heartwood, measured by weight.People who want flexibility in how much they use.
CapsulesPre-measured capsules of the herb.People who want convenience or travel often.
Which form suits you — and whether the herb suits you at all — is a question for a practitioner who knows your history and any medicines you take.
From heartwood to finished formulation
Who prepares what you take matters.
Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center in Jaipur is a working Ayurvedic clinic with its own traditional pharmacy and an international training programme. The Vijaysar products described on this page are prepared and dispensed there.
I
Identifying the wood
Vijaysar is supplied as heartwood. Knowing the plant part and its source is the first question to ask of any supplier.
II
Preparing the herb
The heartwood is cleaned and processed into pieces or powder, or filled into capsules for measured convenience.
III
Dispensing from a clinic
Chakrapani prepares and dispenses from its own pharmacy in Jaipur, so questions about a product can be answered by the people who make it.
Explore Chakrapani
Continue your Ayurveda journey with Chakrapani
Vijaysar is one herb within a much larger tradition. If you would like to go further, these are the places to start.
Panchakarma
Chakrapani's residential, doctor-led classical cleansing and rejuvenation programmes.
VisitAyurveda training
Courses and training programmes for students and practitioners, run from Jaipur.
VisitAyurveda library
Articles and newsletters written by the clinic's practitioners.
VisitThe pharmacy
The wider range of classical formulations and single herbs.
VisitFree Email Consultation
Ask a Chakrapani Vaidya before you decide.
Tell us a little about why you are considering Vijaysar. A qualified Ayurvedic physician at Chakrapani will read your note and reply by email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer. There is no charge, and no obligation to buy anything.
Start a free consultationIs this herb right for me?
An honest answer, including when the answer is no.
Which form and preparation
Guidance suited to your situation rather than a standard dose.
Working with your treatment
How to use it without disturbing medicines you already take.
Frequently Asked
Common questions, answered plainly.
What is Vijaysar?
Vijaysar is the heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium, a tree native to India also known as the Indian Kino or Malabar Kino tree. In Ayurveda it is described as astringent and bitter in taste, cooling in potency, and is used in the classical texts within formulations for metabolic and skin conditions.
How is Vijaysar traditionally used?
Traditionally the heartwood is used as a decoction (kwatha), as a powder, and as water left standing in a vessel turned from the wood. Chakrapani Ayurveda supplies the herb as heartwood pieces, powder and capsules. Which form suits a person is decided case by case by a practitioner.
Will Vijaysar lower my blood sugar?
Published research on Vijaysar remains limited. It includes a small number of direct human studies, alongside animal, laboratory and multi-herb formulation research. None of these studies guarantees a particular change in blood sugar for an individual.
Can I take it alongside my diabetes medication?
Only with your treating doctor's knowledge. Do not stop, reduce or change any prescribed medicine because you have started an Ayurvedic herb. Tell both your doctor and the Vaidya what you are already taking so that interactions and monitoring can be considered.
How much should I take?
There is no single dose that suits everyone. The appropriate form and amount depend on your age, digestion, other conditions and current medication. Follow the instructions supplied with the product you receive, and ask a qualified practitioner for guidance specific to you.
How soon will I notice anything?
There is no reliable timeframe we can quote, and we will not invent one. Individual responses differ, and any change also depends on diet, activity, sleep and existing treatment. Judge your progress with your doctor using your own monitoring rather than an expected schedule.
Is Vijaysar safe for everyone?
It is not intended for self-treatment. Please seek advice from a qualified practitioner before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, giving it to a child, living with kidney or liver disease, or taking prescription medicines. Stop use and seek advice if you notice any adverse reaction.
Why does the colour of tumbler water vary?
Colour depends on the wood itself, how the vessel was made and finished, how long the water has been standing, water temperature and mineral content, and how many times the vessel has been used. A lighter colour is not by itself a sign of a poor product.
Written and reviewed by qualified Ayurvedic practitioners at Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center, Jaipur — practising classical Ayurveda since 1995.