Some medicinal uses of adenanthera pavonina are for treating wounds, boils, rheumatism, and arthritis. The plant can also treat diarrhea, gout, and even leprosy. It can also be used in cases of poisoning, as the plant has emetic properties and can induce a person to vomit, thus removing the toxin from the system.
Adenanthera pavonina is the scientific name of a tree called red sandalwood, also known as the coral-wood or Barbados’ pride. It is largely populous in India, China, and in Costa Rica. The red sandalwood has been part of the alternative Ayurvedic medicine, as the tree is endemic in India. Laboratory analyses show that both the plant’s seeds and bark contain chemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, all of which have been proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and even anti-cancer properties, making the plant a good source of medicine. Aside from the seeds and the bark, the leaves and roots of the adenanthera pavonina can also be used to extract the juices of the plant.
For poisoned patients, drinking the water where the plant’s roots are boiled can help make the person vomit and eliminate the toxin. The roots can probably be chewed raw as well, but care should be taken that they are thoroughly clean. The juices from the leaves can also be extracted by boiling the leaves in water, which can be consumed to ease symptoms of diarrhea, gout, and dysentery or an inflamed colon. The juices from the leaves of the adenanthera pavonina can also be used as an astringent for acne-prone and wounded skin, preventing ulcers and bacteria from forming. The leaves themselves, after being boiled, can also be applied on areas where rheumatism and arthritis occur.
As a source of medicine, the bark of the adenanthera pavonina can be either crushed or boiled, and the powder can be applied as an antiseptic that helps prevent kill infection-causing microbes. The ground bark or the water where the bark was boiled can also be ingested to treat cases of bloodied urine and stools. It can even be used as a shampoo, probably for those who suffer from dandruff or scalp psoriasis.
Perhaps the part of the adenanthera pavonin that has the most uses is the seed, but it is also the most toxic as it can be poisonous when eaten raw. When cooked, the seeds can reduce inflammation in wounds and sprains, and can be eaten to kill cholera-causing bacteria. The oils extracted from the seed can also help hypertension and can be used as a pain reliever, whether topically or orally.