{"id":168244,"date":"2023-01-10T12:32:49","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T12:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=168244"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:10:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:10:12","slug":"ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-red-sandalwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-red-sandalwood\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sandalwood: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More By Dr. Smita Barode"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Bioactive Compounds of Red Sandalwood<\/a><\/li>
Properties of Red Sandalwood<\/a><\/li>
Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood<\/a><\/li>
How to Use Red Sandalwood?<\/a><\/li>
Side Effects of Red Sandalwood<\/a><\/li>
Precautions to Take with Red Sandalwood<\/a><\/li>
Interactions with Other Drugs<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRed Sandalwood, commonly called Raktachandan or Red Sanders. It is scientifically known as Pterocarpus santalinus<\/em> and belongs to the family Fabaceae<\/em>. 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<\/sup><\/a>^,<\/sup>}^{2<\/sup><\/a>.\u200b\u200b Read along to learn more about the health benefits of red Sandalwood, its bioactive components, properties, uses and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
<\/span>Bioactive Compounds of Red Sandalwood<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Red Chandan may include the following minerals:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Zinc\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Cadmium\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Strontium\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Uranium\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Copper\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/sup><\/a>^,<\/sup>}^{2<\/sup><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
<\/span>Properties of Red Sandalwood<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Red Sandalwood may have the following properties:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
It may have an antipyretic effect (may reduce fever)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may reduce inflammation\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may have an analgesic effect (may reduce pain)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may have an anthelmintic effect (may reduce parasite infection)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may act against dysentery\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may be used as a cooling agent\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may reduce blood sugar level\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may act as an anticancer agent\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may act as an antibacterial ^{1<\/sup><\/a>^,<\/sup>}^{3<\/sup><\/a>.\u200b\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n}
<\/span>Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRed Sandalwood may benefit human health ^{2<\/sup><\/a>. The following may be the potential uses of Red Sandalwood:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
1. Potential Uses of Red Sandalwood for Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"skin\"$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
A study ^{2<\/sup><\/a> by Sandra et al. in 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. 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.\u00a0<\/p>}
<\/div>