Santalum album L.

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 154-155

Santalum album L.

Names.

Myanmar: nanttha hpyu, natha hpyu, sandakoo, santagu, mawsanku (Shan). English: Indian sandalwood, sandalwood, true sandalwood, white sandalwood.

Range.

Tropical Asia and Australasia. Grows throughout Myanmar where annual precipitation is 63.5-89 cm and temperatures range between 10-32 degrees Celsius, at altitudes of 610-915 m. Brought to Myanmar from India; cultivated in Yangon, around the Kaba Aye pagoda, in Pyin Oo Lwin and around the base of Mount Popa.

Conservation status.

Vulnerable [VU A1d] ( IUCN 2017).

Uses.

Oil: A mixture of the oil and lime juice is applied topically to relieve itching. Wood: Used in treatment of gonorrhea. Inner wood: A paste made from the inner wood- mixed with menthol is applied topically to the head for high fevers and hot water burns on the body, as well as to the limbs to ease fatigue, aches, and pains; mixed with rice washing water, honey, and sugar the paste is given to alleviate pain during urination and diarrhea.; made with water or rosewater, and mixed with coriander seeds, it is used for flaky scalp conditions and for impetigo; and made with rice washing water mixed with rock candy, it is given to relieve hiccups.

Notes.

The medicinal uses of this species in India are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991). Medicinal uses of this species in China are discussed in Duke and Ayensu (1985). Perry (1980) discusses the species medicinal uses in Indonesia, China, and Korea.

References.

Nordal (1963), Agricultural Corporation (1980), Forest Department (1999).