Sappanwood. Rainbow wood

Caesalpinia sappan

Physical Characteristics

Caesalpinia sappan is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, southern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitats

Edible Uses

A few drops of wood extract in drinking water is considered refreshing, due to the fragrance and colour it imparts[299 ]. The dye obtained from the wood is sometimes used to colour food[299 ].

Medicinal Uses

Dysentery Sappanwood is used in the traditional medicines of various Asiatic countries[299 ]. Modern research has identified various medically active compounds in the plant, particularly brazilin, which is found in the heartwood[299 ]. Brazilin has been shown to have a positive effect on the immune functions; plus a hypoglycaemic action and increased glucose metabolism[299 ]. A decoction of the wood has shown antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae and Bacillus subtilis. An extract of Caesalpinia sappan was found to be a potent agent for inactivating human sperm in vitro; about 2.5 mg/ml is required to reduce motility to 50%[299 ]. A decoction or infusion of the heartwood is generally considered a strong emmenagogue and astringent. It is also used to cure wounds (also with a plaster of macerated leaves and bark), tuberculosis, diarrhoea and dysentery and is reported as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic and xanthine oxidase-inhibitory activities[299 ]. The seeds serve as a sedative[299 ].

Known Hazards

None known