Sappan wood (Sumu)

Pharmaceutical Name : Lignum Sappan

Botanical Name : Caesalpinia sappan L.

Common Name : Sappan wood

Source of Earliest Record : Xinxiu Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations : The heart wood is sawn into pieces or steamed and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste: Sweet, salty, slightly pungent and neutral

Meridians: Heart, liver and spleen

Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and promote menstruation; 2. To stop pain and reduce swelling

Indications & Combinations:

1. Blood stagnation manifested as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and postpartum abdominal pain. Sappan wood (Sumu) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Red peony (Chishao) and Safflower (Honghua).

2. Swellings and pains caused by external injuries. Sappan wood (Sumu) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy.