Overview
Red Sandalwood is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for breast abscess. Rakta Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus, Fam. Leguminosae) is Red Sandalwood, distinct from white Sandalwood (Santalum album). Found in Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka). The tree grows up to 25 feet. The heartwood is deep red, very hard, and heavy. It does not have the fragrance of white Chandan. Used primarily as a coloring agent, coolant, and in bleeding disorders. Contains Santalin — a red dye. The wood shows annual rings in transverse section. Used externally as a paste for burning sensation and wounds. Also used as a fabric dye. The sapwood is yellowish-white and has no medicinal value. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 15-16.
How Red Sandalwood Helps with Breast Abscess
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Red Sandalwood has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing breast abscess:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Santalin (santalic acid — a red coloring principle), Homo-pterocarpine, Pterostilbene. Heartwood contains 2% mucilaginous extract and 16% resinous matter with Mineral acids precipitable coloring.
- Also Known As
- English: Red Sanders, Red Sandalwood, Red Sanders Wood
Sanskrit: रक्तचन्दन, रञ्जन, तिलपर्णी, क्षुद्र चन्दन
Hindi: लाल चन्दन, रक्त चन्दन
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
- Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
- Visha (poisoning)
- Jwara (fever)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Netra Roga (eye diseases)
- Daha (burning sensation)
- Vrana (wounds/ulcers)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
In Kashaya (decoctions) and Lepa (pastes), red sandalwood (Rakta-chandana) is typically used.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions)
Amritottara Kvatha: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Nimba bark (Azadirachta indica), Bilva bark (Aegle marmelos), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), and Raktachandana (red sandalwood — Pterocarpus santalinus) — this decoction should be consumed.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
The Kalka (paste) ingredients are: Mridvika/Draksha (Vitis vinifera — raisins), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Pippali (Piper longum), Raktachandana (Pterocarpus santalinus — red sandalwood), Patraka (Cinnamomum tamala), Nagapushpa (Mesua ferrea), and Atmagupta/Kapikacchu fruits (Mucuna pruriens).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)
The famous Dashanga Lepa (ten-ingredient paste) is made from: Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck), Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum, cardamom), Mansi (Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard), Nisha Yugma (Curcuma longa and Berberis aristata), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), and Balaka (Pavonia odorata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
A paste of Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Vata Ankura (banyan sprouts, Ficus benghalensis), and Masura (red lentils, Lens culinaris) destroys Vyanga (hyperpigmentation/melasma) and bestows facial radiance (Mukha Kanti).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
May the resplendent deity adorned with red garlands and garments, decorated with red sandalwood, with a divine red body — may Krauncha-sudana (Skanda, slayer of Krauncha) protect you.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Other Herbs for Breast Abscess
See all herbs for breast abscess on the Breast Abscess page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.