PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Sandalwood

Santalum album
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the oil extracted
from the trunk wood, the heartwood freed from the sapwood
and the bark, and the dried wood.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in numerous, small, short
pedicled, odorless and erect paniculate inflorescences. There
is no calyx. The perianth is 4 to 5 mm long, campanulate and
changes from yellow to deep red. There are 4 stamens at the
mouth of the tube, which have simple hairs at their base. The
semi-inferior ovary with 3 ovules is free in the bud and later
enclosed in the disc. The fruit is a round, black, pea-sized
drupe with a crown made up of the perianth remains.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a small evergreen tree
up to 10 m high that flowers the whole year round. It has
smooth bark and pendulous branches. The leaves are
opposite, 4 to 6 cm long and 2 cm wide, lanceolate, entire-
margined, and matte underneath. The petiole is approximate-
ly 1 cm long.
v -
Characteristics: The wood has a characteristic odor.
Habitat: The tree grows wild in India and also is cultivated
there and on Timor and the Sunda Islands.
Production: Sandalwood consists of the heartwood, the trunk
and branches of Santalum album or Pterocarpus santalinius,
which has been freed from the bark and sapwood.
Not to be Confused With: Confusion can arise with other
sandalwoods, i.e. the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus.
The white sapwood, which contains almost no essential oil,
is occasionally marketed as Lignum santali albi. The
brownish-yellow to brown-red root wood is, in contrast, rich
in essential oil, but is disallowed as a drug in EB6.
Other Names: Sanderswood, White Saunders, Yellow
Saunders
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (3-5%): chief components santalols (50% cis-
alpha-santalol, 20% cis-beta-santalol, 4% epi-beta-santalol),
further including among others, alpha-bergamotol, alpha-
bergamotal
Tannins
Resins
EFFECTS
The essential oil of Sandalwood has disinfecting effect on
the urinary tract. However, if used in high doses and for long
periods, it can be toxic to the kidneys.

SANDALWOOD / 659

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Infections of the urinary tract

Sandalwood is used for inflammatory conditions of the

efferent urinary tract. It is generally used in combination

with other diuretic or urinary disinfecting drugs.

Chinese Medicine: The Chinese use Sandalwood primarily

for epigastric pain, chest pain and vomiting.

Homeopathic Uses: Uses of the drug in homeopathy include

urethral inflammation. It is advisable to use Sandalwood in

combination with other diuretic or urinary disinfecting drugs.

Indian Medicine: Internal uses include heat stroke, sunstroke

and resulting fever. It is used as an infusion mixed with

honey (in Kerala); with water cooked in rice {in Nepal): in

the treatment of gonorrhea and as an anti-aphrodisiac in

ayurvedic medicine.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Sandalwood is contraindicated in diseases of the kidney.

. PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction w ith the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Intake can
occasionally lead to skin itching, queasiness, gastrointestinal
complaints and hematuria. The drug possesses minimal
potential for sensitization.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Sandalwood is used internally in

preparations derived from comminuted drug.

Preparation: Sandalwood oil should only be taken in an

enteric-coated form.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 10 g of the drug; 1

to 1.5 g of the essential oil.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB34).

LITERATURE

Adams DR et al., (1975) Phytochemistry 14:1459.

Brunke EJ, Dragoco Rep 35:102-109. 1980.

Demote DR et al., (1976) Helv Chim Acta 59:737.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.). Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl.. Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.