Botanical Name : Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f.
Family : Papilionaceae; Fabaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/50
Introduction :
Latin name: Pterocarpus = ptero = winged, arpus fruit: santalinus = sandal wood.
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Red Sandalwood, Red Sanders.
Hindi : Laal-chandan
Kannada : Raktachandana
Malayalam : Raktachandanam
Sanskrit : Raktachandana, rakta sara
Tamil : Shivappu chandanam
Telugu : Raktagandhamu, yerragandhamu
Unani : Sandal Surkh
Synonyms :
रक्तचन्दनमाख्यातं रक्ताङ्गं क्षुद्रचन्दनम् । तिलपर्ण रक्तसारं तत्प्रवालफलं स्मृतम् ॥१६॥ रक्तं शीतं गुरु स्वादुच्छर्दितृष्णाऽस्त्रपित्तहृत् । तिक्तं नेत्रहितं वृष्यं ज्वरन्त्रणविषापहम् ॥१७॥
Raktachandana, Raktasaara, Kuchandan, Lohit, Harichandan, Raktasar, Tamrasar, Kshudrachandan, Arkachandan, Ranjan, Pravalphala, Surakta
Morphology :
A tree growing to a height of 5- 10 mtrs. Bark is blackish grey. Trunk – externally white but red inside. Stalk bears flowers in all the directions.
Leaves – compound, leaflets 3, ovate,
Flower- yellow, axillary, raceme
Legumes- 6 to 9 containing red seeds, flowering and fruiting occurs in summer.
Distribution & Habitat :
South India
Chemical constituents :
eudesmol, iso-pterocarpolone, pterocarpol, cryptomeridiol, pterocarptriol, pterocarpdiolone, santalins A and B
Properties :
Guna: guru .ruksha;
Rasa: madhur. tikta:
Vipaka: katu:
Virya: sheeta:
Karma :
Netrya, varnya, balyam, vrishyam
antibilious, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge
Indication :
Kusta, jwara, visha, rakta dosha,
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea, mouth ulcers, Eczema
Part used :
Heart wood
Dosage :
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Aamayika Prayoga
- External Application – Styptic Anti inflammatory properties.
- Cures burning sensation. Indicated in
- burning sensation, swelling, headache, skin disorders etc.
- Internal administration-
- Digestive System – indicated in vomiting, excessive thirst, Diarrhea, etc.
- Excretory System – Increases urine output. indicated in Dysuria, UTI etc.
- Circulatory system – Indicated in bleeding disorders, acts as a blood purifier
- Tvak Indicated in skin disorders
- Tapakrama – Indicated in fever associated with burning sensation
- Satmikarana – Anti poisonous
Yoga/Formulations: Asanadi Kashayam, Guduchyadi Kashayam, Tarunarka Rasa, Chandanadi Lauh
IUCN Status: Pterocarpus santalinus is listed as Endangered under criteria A2cd.
Research updates
- Physio-chemical analysis
- Santalinus bark and heartwood are rich in flavonoids and protect the liver against chemical-induced toxicity. Studies showed that aqueous (45 mg/mL) and ethanol (30 mg/mL) bark extracts of P. santalinus restored CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.
