Health benefits of Chandan (Sandalwood), Overview, medicinal uses, dosage, and side effects
Chandan (Sandalwood) is one of the precious herbs that have great fragrance and is derived from the Persian language (Chandan). In Indian mythology, folklore, and scripture it has a great reference and is also found in Pitka (400-300BC), Patanjali Mahabhasaya (100 BC), Arthashastra (200 BC). Its oil is derived from its heartwood which is used to treat various ailments. Its scent calms the mind and nervous system and awakens strength, intelligence, happiness, and sedative. It shows diuretic, expectorant, cardio-tonic, aromatic, diaphoretic, and antipyretic properties that treat bronchial, acidity, and various skin disorders.
Latin name: Santalum album
Family: Santalaceae
Chandan (Sandalwood) Names in different languages
- Sanskrit name- Gosheera, malayaja, tilaparnaka, chandradyuti, Chandan, shreekhanda
- English name- sandalwood, white Indian sandalwood, East Indian sandalwood, sandal tree, sandal
- Hindi name-safed Chandan, sandal, Chandan
- Bengali name-Chandan
- Gujarati name- sukhada
- Punjabi name- Chandan
- Kannad name- Chand, shriganda
- Malayalam name- candanam
- Burmese name- Santagu
- Telugu name- Tella Chandanm
- Bengali name- srikhanda, Chandan, peetchandan
- Tamil name- Sandanam, Chandanm
- Spanish name- sandalo blanco
- Indonesian name- Cendana, chendana, chandan
- Italian name- Sandalo Bianco
Synonyms according to the Sanskrit language:
Malayaja, Bhadrashri, Gandhasara, Tilaparnaka, Shveta chandana, Srikhanda, and Chanradyuti
Morphological characteristics:
Chandan is an evergreen plant that grows up to the height of 20 m and 2.4 m wide and its branches are slender and drooping. Its bark is dark brown, red color, and dark grey or black in young plants. In older plants, this bark is red from the inside and has deep cracks.
The sapwood of the stamp is odorless and white. Its heartwood has a strong fragrance and is yellow-brown. leaves are ovate elliptical in shape and are 3 to 8 cm in length and 3 to 5 cm in width. Leaves have a shiny green appearance on the upper side and tips can be either rounded or pointed. Its flowers are 5 to 15 cm in length, purple-brown in color, and are small in shape. Fruits are globose, indehiscent, black, and are about 1 cm in diameter when ripe.
Habitat
Chandan is found in countries like New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and India. These are found from the sea level up to 1800 m in Sandy and loamy soil.
In India, it is found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, it is found over 3000 sq km in javadi hills, yelagri hills, and chitteri hills. It is also native to states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, and Bihar.
Categorization according to classical books:
- According to Acharya Charaka:
- Angamada prassamana-Herbs that relieve body pain.
- Trishna nigrahana- herbs that relieves excessive thirst
- Vishaghna- herbs that are anti toxic
- Daha prasamana- herbs that relieve the burning sensation
- Kandughna- herbs that relieve itching
- According to acharya vagbhatta:
- Patoladi, priyangvadi, guduchyadi, salasaradi, sarivadi
- According to Acharya sushruta:
- Asanadi, Patoladi, guduchyadi, sarivadi, priyangvadi
Varieties of Chandan (Sandalwood )
There are mainly two varieties of Chandan:
- White sandalwood- also called shweta Chandan
- Red sandalwood- also called rakta Chandan
- According to Kaiyadeva nighantu- three types of Chandan ie, rakta (red), Peeta (yellow), and pandu (white)
- According to dhanvantri nighantu- five types- Chandan, rakta Chandan (red), barbarika, kaleeyaka, kuchandana (patranga)
- According to sodala nighantu- 8 types of Chandan are- kakubha, shreeriya, gosheersha, sheerpriya, patanga, rakta Chandan, barbarika, and harichandana.
Medicinal properties of Chandan (Sandalwood)
Rasa (taste): Madhura (Sweet) and Tikta (bitter)
Guna (qualities): Rooksha (dry) and laghu (light)
Veerya (potency): Sheeta (cold)
Vipaka (undergoes test conversion after digestion): Katu (pungent)
Karma (effect on tridosha): Balances Pitta and Kapha dosha
Medicinal uses of Chandan (Sandalwood)
- Krumighna- treats worm infestation and is helpful in infected wounds
- Vishahara- anti-toxic in nature
- Vrushya- works as aphrodisiac
- Rakta prasadana- works as a blood detoxifier and is helpful in bleeding disorders
- Trushnahara- trades thirst
- Shoshahara- treats emaciation and dehydration
- Varnya- improves skin complexion and tone
- Klamahara- treats fatigue and tiredness
- Dahahara- burning sensation and also various conditions like sore throat, gastritis, sunstroke, laryngitis, etc
- Shishira- it is coolant in nature
- Ahladana- it also nourishes sense organs and brings a pleasant effect
- It shows diuretic properties and treats various diseases like bladder inflammation, vaginitis, cystitis, etc
- It also treats eye-related symptoms like redness, burning sensation, and excessive secretion
- This herb treats menorrhagia and leucorrhoea
Therapeutic uses of Chandan (Sandalwood)
Urinary tract infection: Chandan works as an anti-bacterial that inhibits the growth and multiplication of bacteria in the urinary tract and also works as a diuretic by increasing the frequency of urine and flushing out harmful toxins from the body. Herb also controls the burning sensation in patients who have pitta dosha imbalance in the body.
Sore throat: Sore throat occurs due to an imbalance in pitta dosha. Chandan helps to balance pitta dosha because of its coolant nature. This herb also reduces soreness in the throat naturally.
Liver disease: Being a hepatoprotective, it helps in the management of various liver problems and fights against free radicals that cause liver damage. This herb also removes gallstones gallbladder and manages various related issues.
Fever: Chandan helps to manage fever and its related symptoms because of its pitta balancing property. This herb also reduces heat from the body because of its cold properties. Being an antipyretic, it lowers the body temperature and hence reduces fever.
Side effects of Chandan ( sandalwood)
As Chandan has coolant property so so in people who are suffering from asthma should avoid taking it or can be taken in equal quantity with pepper powder for balancing the coolant effect. It can be used in small children and lactating mothers. But for pregnant women, it should be taken after consulting with the doctor.
Dosage of Chandan ( sandalwood )
Powder- 3 to 4 grams
Decoction- 50 to 100 ml
Oil- 5 to 10 drops
Part used:
Heartwood and sandalwood oil
Some FAQs Related to Chandan
Is it good to eat Chandan?
Yes, it is good to eat Chandan in patients who have pitta dosha imbalance.
What happens if you eat Chandan?
Chandan will balance pitta dosha in the body and treat various symptoms related to pitta dosha imbalance like a burning sensation.
Does sandalwood have side effects?
Yes, sandalwood has side effects in people who are suffering from asthma because of its coolant property.
Can we drink Chandan?
Yes, we can drink Chandan in the form of decoction.
Is Chandan good for the face?
Yes, Chandan is good for the face.
Conclusion:
From this article it is concluded that Chandan can be taken in people who have pitta dosha imbalance, suffering from various diseases like gallstones, fever, liver disease, sore throat, etc. It can be e used in small children and lactating mothers but should be avoided in asthma.
Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Chandan‘s benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume Chandan on the basis of this information. Before taking Chandan as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.
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