Dalbergia sissoo

HABIT: Dalbergia sissoo a tree with rough bark and mainly longitudinal furrows, young branch velvet-hairy. Leaves are compound, leaflets 3-5, broadly ovate or nearly round, tapering, becoming hairless, stipulate leaf. Inflorescence an in leaf-axils panicle, composed of several short spikes with stalkless to nearly stalkless flowers. Flower are yellowish white. 

CONSERVATION STATUS: Evaluated as 'Least Concern' by IUCN.

MEDICINAL USES: The plant bark has been reported the anti-nociceptive, antioxidant and anti-spermatogenic activity. The oil extracted from wood scrapings of Dalbergia sissoo has shown dose dependent larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. Anti-osteogenic activity has also been performed this crude extract of Dalbergia sissoo. The plant extract has been used as an alternative to synthetic pesticides for termite control in buildings. The seeds extract has modest analgesic and notable anti-pyretic activities. The ethanolic extract of the bark of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. was investigated for its activity against helminthic infections. In the search for the molluscicidal activity, the plant extracts were evaluated against egg masses and adults of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and the snail intermediate host of Schistosoma manson in Nigeria. 

(Mannan, M. A., Khatun, A., & Khan, M. F. H. (2017). Antinociceptive effect of methanol extract of Dalbergia sissoo leaves in mice. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17(1), 1-13.)

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: Sissoo oil is used to treat blue itching, burning on the skin, and scabies. Finely ground paste of 8-10 leaves of sissoo and 25gm of palm candy taken in the morning alleviates profuse menstruation. 50-100 ml decoction of the leaves taken thrice in a day is useful in Painful micturition and to cure boils and pimples. . 10-15 ml juice (leaves) taken thrice in a day helps in eliminating pus in urine and in treating jaundice. The leaves warmed and tied on breast, and consuming the decoction of the leaves removes swelling of the breast. 3-6gm powdered bark or decoction of the leaves is helpful in gonorrhea. Decoction of the bark and leaf is given in leprosy. Take 20gm of Sissoo nectar, 320gm water, and 160 gm milk. Boil it till only milk remains. Consume 3 times a day. This milk cures any type of fever.

(Bharath, M., Tulasi, E. L. R., Sudhakar, K., & Eswaraiah, M. C. (2013). Dalbergia sissoo DC–An important medicinal plant. Int J Res Pharm Chem, 3(2), 384-388.)