RAKTACHANDAN (Pterocarpus santalinus)

Raktachandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), also known as Red Sandalwood, is a precious medicinal tree native to southern India. Unlike the aromatic white sandalwood (Santalum album), red sandalwood is non-aromatic but highly valued in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine for its anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, and blood-purifying properties. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is widely used in cosmetic, dermatological, and therapeutic preparations.

Red Sandalwood Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Pterocarpus
Species: Pterocarpus santalinus

Pterocarpus santalinus Common Name

English: Red Sandalwood, Red Sanders
Sanskrit: Raktachandan, Rakta Sarja
Hindi: Lal Chandan
Tamil: Sivappu Chandanam
Telugu: Erra Chandanam
Kannada: Kempu Gandha
Malayalam: Chuvanna Chandanam
Marathi: Raktachandan

RAKTACHANDAN Uses

Skin Disorders and Beauty Care - Used in face packs and lepas to reduce acne, blemishes, pigmentation, and improve skin complexion, Treats eczema, rashes, boils, and wounds with its antibacterial and soothing effects.

Blood Purification - Acts as a raktashodhak (blood purifier) and supports detoxification. Often used in decoctions to treat chronic skin diseases and inflammatory conditions.

Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic - Reduces joint inflammation, swelling, and arthritic pain. Applied externally for muscle aches and injuries.

Antipyretic and Hepatoprotective - Traditionally used to manage fever, liver disorders, and urinary issues.

Phytochemical Constituents

Pterocarpus santalinus contains several important bioactive compounds that support its medicinal value:

Flavonoids: Santalin A & B, Liquiritigenin
Phenolics: Pterostilbene, Isoflavones
Lignans: Savinin
Terpenoids: β-eudesmol, α-santalene
Steroids: β-sitosterol
Tannins and Saponins

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Govt. of India, Part I, Vol. IV.

Nadkarni, K.M. (2000). Indian Materia Medica, Vol 1. Popular Prakashan, Mumbai.

Shah, G.L. (1996). Flora of Gujarat State. Vol. II. Sardar Patel University, Gujarat.

Chauhan, N.S., & Dixit, V.K. (2007). "Hepatoprotective activity of Pterocarpus santalinus against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats." Fitoterapia, 78(6), 530–532.

Rao, R.V., & Rajput, K.S. (2009). "Pterocarpus santalinus - A rare medicinal plant with high pharmacological potential: A review." Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology, 3(2), 49–55.

Kapoor, L.D. (2001). Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. CRC Press, Florida.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). (1956). The Wealth of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products, Vol. VIII. Publication and Information Directorate, New Delhi.

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