Botanical Name: Caesalpinia sappan L.
Family Name: Fabaceae (Caesalpiniaceae)
Identification No. : SDACH/HG/277
Vernacular Names:
Hindi – Patranga, Bakam, Bakhama;
Tamil – Sappanwood, Patangam;
Telugu – Sappan chekka;
Kannada – Kaggali; Malayalam – Patangi;
English – Sappanwood, Indian Redwood
Synonyms :
“पतङ्गं रक्तसारञ्च सुरङ्गं रञ्जनं तथा |
पट्टरञ्जकमाख्यातं पत्तूरञ्च कुचन्दनम् ||”
(Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga)
Classical Classification:
Not directly referenced in Charaka, Sushruta, or Vagbhata Samhitas; described in Bhavaprakasha under karpuradi varga
Habitat and Distribution:
Native to Southeast Asia; commonly found in the Western Ghats and Eastern India. Widely cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Thrives in tropical to subtropical climates with well-drained soils.
Morphology:
A medium-sized thorny tree. Leaves are bipinnate with many small leaflets. Flowers are bright yellow in axillary racemes. Fruits are hard, flat, woody pods. The heartwood is deep red and used medicinally.
Phytochemicals:
Contains brazilin (main coloring agent), brazilein, sapanin, tannins, gallic acid, sappanol, flavonoids, and coumarins.
Raspanchaka:
Rasa – Tikta, Kashaya
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Virya – Ushna
Vipaka – Katu
Prabhava – Raktashodhaka, Varnya
Dosha Shamakta – Kapha-Pitta hara
Karma (Rogaghnata):
Raktashodhaka (blood purifier),
Varnya (enhances complexion),
Vishaghna (detoxifying),
Jwaraghna (antipyretic),
Kushtaghna (for skin diseases),
Pramehaghna (antidiabetic/urinary support).
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:
External – Powdered wood is used in lepana for skin disorders, itching, and ulcers. Decoction used as wound wash.
Internal – Decoction used in raktapitta, kushtha, prameha, jwara, and pandu. Also beneficial in enhancing complexion.
Part Used: Heartwood (primarily), bark and leaves occasionally used.
Dose: Churna – 3–6 g/day; Kwatha – 50–100 ml/day; Satva – as per formulation guidelines.
Yoga/Formulations:
Patrangasava (widely used in gynecology),
Patrangadi Kwatha,
Mahamanjishthadi Kwatha,
Kumkumadi Taila (as a complexion-enhancing agent).
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
Research Updates (Last 5 Years):
- In 2022, a study in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences showed significant antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia sappan heartwood, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.
- In 2021, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of brazilin extracted from Caesalpinia sappan.
- In 2019, a review article in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine explored its application as a natural dye and its relevance in treating dermatological and gynecological conditions.
