Bidi leaf tree

Bauhinia racemosa

Bauhinia racemosa, commonly known as the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Tree, is a plant traditionally found in Southeast Asia. While its use in traditional medicine has not been extensively documented, it has been noted that grizzled giant squirrels consume this plant, with Bauhinia racemosa comprising 19.79% of their diet. Scientifically, the seeds have moderate oil yields and contain typical fatty acids but do not show particularly high bioactivity compared to other species. Notably, biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized from its leaf extract demonstrated significant antiparasitic efficacy against Argulus siamensis with moderate toxicity. Additionally, Co-ZnO nanoparticles derived from Bauhinia racemosa showed effective photocatalytic degradation of certain antibiotics and exhibited strong antimicrobial properties along with moderate cytotoxicity. No major safety concerns or recorded drug interactions have been identified for this plant.

At a glance
Best evidence
D
Cautions

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The Grizzled Giant Squirrel was found to feed on 30 plant species, with Bauhinia racemosa comprising 19.79% of its diet. D PMID
  • The study found that Bauhinia racemosa seeds had moderate oil yields and contained typical fatty acids but did not stand out in bioactive compound content compared to other species. D PMID
  • The study found that biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Bauhinia racemosa leaf extract showed significant antiparasitic efficacy against Argulus siamensis with moderate toxicity. D PMID
  • Co-ZnO nanoparticles showed effective photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, along with strong antimicrobial and moderate cytotoxicity properties. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Bidi leaf tree?

Bidi leaf tree (Bauhinia racemosa) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about Bidi leaf tree?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Bidi leaf tree; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The Grizzled Giant Squirrel was found to feed on 30 plant species, with Bauhinia racemosa comprising 19.79% of its diet.

How strong is the evidence for Bidi leaf tree?

The strongest finding for Bidi leaf tree carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Bidi leaf tree safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Bidi leaf tree in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Bidi leaf tree interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Bidi leaf tree in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

Is Bidi leaf tree a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Evaluation of Selected Medicinal, Timber and Ornamental Legume Species' Seed Oils as Sources of Bioactive Lipophilic Compounds. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Feeding ecology of a lesser-known arboreal giant: Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura), Southern Western Ghats, India. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Green Synthesis of Metal-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Using Bauhinia racemosa Lam. Extract and Evaluation of Their Photocatalysis and Biomedical Applications. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 In vivo antiparasitic activity of biogenic Iron nanoparticles on ectoparasitic branchiuran, Argulus siamensis in Labeo rohita and effect on parasite ion channel genes. literature abstract metadata