Red Sandalwood: Uses, Benefits, Side effects and More By Dr. Smita Barode

Introduction

Red Sandalwood, commonly called Raktachandan or Red Sanders. It is scientifically known as Pterocarpus santalinus and belongs to the family Fabaceae. Red Sandalwood is a highly-valued wood having a commercial value ranging from eight lakh to twelve lakhs per ton as per Government rates. It is a small-sized tree with a hard, dark purple wood part at the centre called the heartwood, which has a bitter flavour. The Raktachandan tree is native to India and is well distributed in dry and hilly regions of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Red Sandalwood is considered sacred in Hindu culture and is extensively used for many rituals. Hence, red Sandalwood has different common names, such as Lal Chandan, Yerra Chandanamu, Tambada Chandana, Agaru Gandhami, Rakt Chandan, Patrangam, etc.​^1,2​ Read along to learn more about the health benefits of red Sandalwood, its bioactive components, properties, uses and more. 

Bioactive Compounds of Red Sandalwood

Red Chandan may include the following minerals: 

• Zinc 
• Cadmium  
• Strontium  
• Uranium 
• Copper  

The major bioactive compound of Red Sandalwood may be santalin which imparts a distinct red colour. Red Chandan may also contain biologically active compounds like phenols, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenoids, sterols, tannins, isoflavones, glucosides, savinin and calocedrin.^1,2 

Properties of Red Sandalwood

Red Sandalwood may have the following properties: 

• It may have an antipyretic effect (may reduce fever) 
• It may reduce inflammation 
• It may have an analgesic effect (may reduce pain) 
• It may have an anthelmintic effect (may reduce parasite infection) 
• It may act against dysentery  
• It may be used as a cooling agent 
• It may reduce blood sugar level 
• It may act as an anticancer agent 

• It may act as an antibacterial.^1–​³​ 

Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood

Red Sandalwood may benefit human health.² The following may be the potential uses of Red Sandalwood: 

I recently read an article that suggests using sunscreen containing extracts of red sandalwood may give better sun protection. The red sandalwood has natural colouring properties along with better UV absorption nature.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S M.D (Ayu)

1. Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood for Skin

A study by Sandra et al., 1996 found that red Sandalwood for the face may reduce skin diseases. Red sandalwood powder may have antibacterial effects against certain bacteria causing acne and pimples reducing the chances of getting acne or pimple. A freshly made Lal Chandan paste may contain the bioactive compound santalin A and santalin B. When applied on the face, it may help relieve the itchy red rash and mild swelling of the skin. Red Sandalwood may also reduce prickly heat due to its anti-microbial activity.² However, further clinical studies are required to develop a true scope of red Sandalwood for skin diseases. If you have skin abnormalities, consult a dermatologist. Do not self-medicate. 

2. Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood for Diarrhoea and Dysentery

Red Sandalwood may relieve your issues related to your stomach. According to Kondeti et al., 2010, the decoction infusion made from Lal Chandan may be used as a tonic to relieve chronic dysentery. In addition, the red sandalwood bark powder may have cooling properties. It may be used to prepare soft porridge and to stop diarrhoea.¹ Furthermore, studies are needed in humans to suggest the true effects of red Sandalwood for managing diarrhoea in humans. Therefore, consult your doctor in case of stomach-related problems. Do not self-medicate. 

3. Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood for Inflammation

An animal study by Ratnamraju et al., 2018 found that red Sandalwood may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. It may help reduce inflammation as well as the pain associated with it. When the animals were given the decoction of Lal Chandan powder, it showed positive results against acute inflammation compared with the standard drug ibuprofen.³ Hence, red Sandalwood may be effective against inflammation. However, this study is insufficient as it is an animal study. Therefore, more human studies are needed to claim the uses of red Sandalwood. Consult a qualified physician and do not self-medicate. 

4. Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood for Diabetes

Red Sandalwood may have a blood sugar-lowering ability. Lal Chandan may be used as a traditional, Folklore medicine to manage diabetes. As per Nagaraju et al., 1991, drinking water in cups made from Red Sandalwood may be beneficial against diabetes. Another study by Apparao et al., 2005 found that Red Sandalwood might benefit blood glucose levels by reducing the high levels of fats or lipids due to diabetes.^1,2 Thus, Lal Chandan may be used for managing diabetes in humans. However, the latest interventions on humans are needed to suggest the benefits of red Sandalwood for diabetes. If you have a diabetes problem consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.  

Other Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood

• Red Sandalwood may be used as an antiseptic ointment for animal bites like spiders, snakes or scorpions).² 
• Red Sandalwood paste may be applied to the forehead to relieve the headache.¹ 
• Lal Chandan may be rubbed with honey, water, ghee and oil and used as an eyewash to alleviate vision defects.¹ 
• Red Sandalwood may be used as a chemotherapeutic agent. It may stop the spread of cancer cells and carry out the apoptosis (killing) of the cancerous cells in the body.² 

Though studies show the potential uses of red Sandalwood in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a necessity for further studies to develop the scope of the benefits of red Sandalwood on human health.  

I highly recommend the use of red sandalwood in your daily skincare routine. Red sandalwood might be your ally in your journey to flawless skin. Because of its cooling qualities, red sandalwood may aid in the eradication of tan and dryness. Apply red sandalwood paste on the skin and witness astonishing transformations gradually.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Red Sandalwood?

Red Sandalwood may be classified as a spice extract due to its santalin compound, which gives it a red colour. You may use Red Chandan: 

• It may be used as a natural dye or colouring agent for cooking foodstuff. 
• It may be used to make a decoction tonic. 
• It may be used to make Chandan paste. 
• Red Sandalwood powder may be used to make soft porridge.^1,2 

You should consult a qualified doctor before using red Sandalwood in large quantities. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal red sandalwood preparation without consulting an Ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you with its form and dosage per your health condition. 

Side Effects of Red Sandalwood

Red Sandalwood in minimum amounts might be safe. However, a case report by Sandra et al., 1996 found that red Sandalwood may develop allergic contact dermatitis (inflammation). In addition, the side effects of red sandalwood powder on face may cause itchy erythema (skin redness) and mild oedema(swelling).​⁴​ If any side effects are seen after using red Sandalwood, immediately consult your doctors and get proper treatment. 

Precautions to Take with Red Sandalwood

Using Lal Chandan in larger amounts is not recommended. The following precautions are necessary:  

• You should not use red Chandan to self-medicate on your own. It is essential to consult a doctor and use it if recommended. 
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should take precautions while using red Sandalwood to avoid further complications or take a doctor’s advice before using it. 
• Red Sandalwood may have advantages; however, you must take precautions while giving it to small children and older adults to avoid harmful effects. 

Interactions with Other Drugs

More studies are required to establish the interactions between red Sandalwood and drugs. Therefore, one must take medical consultations with an Ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you to use red Sandalwood as a herb.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

​​1. Azamthulla M, Rajkapoor B. A Review on Pterocarpus Santalinus Linn. World J Pharm Res. 2015;4(2):282–92. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammad-Azamthulla-2/publication/319930091_A_REVIEW_ON_PTEROCARPUS_SANTALINUS_LINN/links/59c1f8e3a6fdcc69b92bd26f/A-REVIEW-ON-PTEROCARPUS-SANTALINUS-LINN.pdf 

​2. Soundararajan V. A Review on Red Sanders (Pterocarpus Santalinus Linn.) -Phyto-Chemistry and Pharmacological Importance. World J of Pharm And Pharma Sci. 2016. p. 667–89. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344360474_A_REVIEW_ON_RED_SANDERS_PTEROCARPUS_SANTALINUS_LINN_-PHYTO-CHEMISTRY_AND_PHARMACOLOGICAL_IMPORTANCE 

​3. Ratnamraju V, Dhande P, Gupta A, Vaz N. Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Oral Decoction of Pterocarpus Santalinus Bark Wood Powder in Acute Inflammation Model. Interna J of Pharma Sci and Res. 2018;9(10):4368–72. Available from: https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/anti-inflammatory-and-analgesic-activity-of-oral-decoction-of-pterocarpus-santalinus-bark-wood-powder-in-acute-inflammation-model/ 

​4. Sandra A, Shenoi S, Srinivas C. Allergic contact dermatitis from red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus). Contact Dermatitis [Internet]. 1996 [cited 2022 Dec 6];34(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8789238/ 

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