Red Sandalwood or Rakta chandana

Pterocarpus santalinus; Red Sanders - From the Wikimedia Commons

Red Sandalwood or Rakta chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus; Red Sanders) is a species of Pterocarpus native to India.

It is a small tree growing to 8 m tall with a trunk 50–150 cm diameter.The wood is one of the most prized woods for millennia. But due to its slow growth and rarity, furniture made from Red Sandalwood is difficult to find and can be expensive.


The Red Sandalwood paste can be used to cure discoloration on face.

Discolouration on face

Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Apply paste of Red Sanders or Red Sandalwood (Rakta chandana, Pterocarpus sandalensis) on face
• Grind curcuma and neem leaves and mix well with egg white and apply on the face during night. Wash the face in the morning with tender coconut water or water used for washing rice grains (arikkadi).