Botanical Name: Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f.
Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae
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 |
| Folk |
Synonyms
Raktachandana, Raktasaara, Kuchandan, Lohit, Harichandan, Raktasar, Tamrasar, Kshudrachandan, Arkachandan, Ranjan, Pravalphala, Surakta
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
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
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Kaphaghna, pittaghna.
Dhatu: Rakta. rasa. shukra (aphrodisiac).
Mala: Purisha (antidiarrhoeal(. Organ: Alimentary, lymphatic and circulatory systems.
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
Uses: External application relieves oedema caused by kaphapitta. It is a refrigerant and hemostatic.
It is useful in skin diseases, conjunctivitis and contusions, thirst, bleeding disorders, vomiting. fever, ‘burning sensation, diarrhoea and poisoning.
