Red sandalwood

Red sandalwood is a tree whose wood from the center of the trunk is used as medicine. Red sandalwood is used to treat problems in the digestive tract, water retention and coughs, as well as to purify the blood. In industrial production, red sandalwood is used as a colorant for alcoholic beverages. Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) should not be confused with white sandalwood (Santalum album).

How does red sandalwood work?

Red sandalwood could increase the excretion of water via the urine and have a diuretic effect. It may also have a drying effect that could help reduce diarrhea and loosen mucus so that it can be coughed up more easily.

How effective is red sandalwood?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of red sandalwood for digestive tract conditions, water retention and coughs. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of red sandalwood in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Red sandalwood may be safe and harmless for most people. The possible side effects are not known.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of red sandalwood during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid red sandalwood.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining red sandalwood with the following medications:

Lithium

Red sandalwood could have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking red sandalwood may interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using red sandalwood if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of red sandalwood depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for red sandalwood. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.