Herb × Condition

Sappan Wood for Skin Disorders

Sanskrit: पतङ्ग | Caesalpinia sappan Linn.

How Sappan Wood helps with Skin Disorders according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Astringent (Kashaya), Bitter (Tikta)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Sappan red (dye from heartwood), Brasilin, Haematoxylin, Resorein. Sapwood contains tannins and coloring matter.
Also Known As
English: Sappan Wood
Sanskrit: पतङ्ग, रक्तसार, रञ्जन, विक्रान्त
Hindi: पतङ्ग, बक्कम

What the Classical Texts Say

  • Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
  • Kushtha (skin diseases)
  • Vrana (wounds)
  • Prameha (urinary disorders)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

Other Herbs for Skin Disorders

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Agarwood Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.
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Mandar Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. ex Ait.
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Amla Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
⟶
Camphor Dryobalanops camphora Colebr. (Bhimseni); Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm. (Chini)
⟶
Danti Baliospermum montanum Muell.
⟶
Dhanyaka Coriandrum sativum Linn.
⟶
Gambhari Gmelina arborea Linn.
⟶
Garlic Allium sativum Linn.

See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders 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.