Overview
Sappan Wood is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Patanga (Caesalpinia sappan, Fam. Caesalpiniaceae) is Sappan Wood, a medium-sized thorny tree. The heartwood yields a red dye used in fabrics and preparations. It has astringent-bitter taste with cooling potency. Used in blood disorders, skin diseases, and wounds. Heartwood is the medicinal part — deep red with strong coloring properties. Contains Brasilin and Haematoxylin as key chemical principles. Also used as a fabric dye. Its decoction is blood-purifying. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 18-19.
How Sappan Wood Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Sappan Wood has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
- Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Vrana (wounds)
- Prameha (urinary disorders)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Sarja resin, patanga (sappan wood), priyangu, honey, and sugar;
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24
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.