Dalbergia sissoo (Fabaceae) Shisham, North Indian Rosewood

Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian Rosewood)

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Dalbergia sissoo

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Dalbergia

The Fabaceae family, particularly the timber-yielding Dalbergia genus, includes trees valued both for their durable wood and their medicinal bark, leaves, and heartwood.

Related Herbs from the same family:

• Pterocarpus santalinus (Rakta Chandana): Red Sanders, used as a cooling agent, blood purifier, and in skin diseases.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu): Licorice, a premier demulcent and rejuvenative herb.

• Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi): Fenugreek, used for diabetes, cholesterol, and as a galactagogue.

2. Common Names:

Scientific Name: Dalbergia sissoo | English: North Indian Rosewood, Sissoo, Shisham | Sanskrit: Shinshapa, Krishnashinshapa | Hindi: Shisham, Sissoo | Tamil: Iruvil, Shisham | Telugu: Shisham, Gari | Kannada: Bitti, Shisham | Malayalam: Shisham, Irupul | Marathi: Shisham, Sisai | Bengali: Shishu | Nepali: Sisau | Persian: Jigal |

3. Medicinal Uses:Astringent, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic (fever-reducing), Blood Purifier, Anthelmintic (expels worms), Analgesic (pain-relieving), Wound Healing.

Medicinal Parts:The leaves, bark, heartwood, and gum are used.

• Leaves: Most commonly used, especially for skin conditions.

• Bark & Heartwood: Used in decoctions for internal disorders.

• Gum (Resin): Used in traditional preparations.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

Flavonoids (Sissoflavones, Dalbergichromene): Unique prenylated flavonoids and neoflavonoids specific to the genus. Action: Potent Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and studied for Anticancer potential.

Tannins (Gallotannins, Ellagitannins): Provide strong Astringent, Wound Healing, and Antimicrobial properties.

Terpenoids & Sterols: Contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory and therapeutic profile.

Alkaloids: Present in minor amounts, may contribute to bioactivity.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Twak Vikara (Skin Diseases) & Vrana (Wounds)

Formulation: Leaf paste or decoction wash.

Preparation & Use: A paste of fresh leaves is applied topically to wounds, boils, eczema, and skin ulcers. A decoction of leaves or bark is used as a wash for infected or inflamed skin.

Reasoning: The astringent tannins contract tissues and staunch bleeding, while the antimicrobial flavonoids (sissoflavones) combat infection, promoting clean healing.

Raktadosha (Blood Disorders) & Visha (Toxicity)

Formulation: Bark or heartwood decoction.

Preparation & Use: A decoction of the bark or heartwood is consumed as a traditional blood purifier for conditions like leprosy, syphilis, and chronic skin diseases believed to originate from blood impurities.

Reasoning: Attributed to its "detoxifying" or Raktashodhaka (blood-cleansing) action in Ayurveda, likely linked to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects on systemic infections.

Jwara (Fever) & Shoola (Pain)

Formulation: Leaf or bark decoction.

Preparation & Use: The decoction is consumed to reduce fevers, including malarial fevers in folk medicine, and to relieve internal pain and inflammation.

Reasoning: The antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties help normalize body temperature and reduce pain mediators.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

It is not a culinary herb. Its use is strictly medicinal.

Skin Wash for Eczema and Itching

Purpose: To soothe inflammatory skin conditions.

Preparation & Use:

1. Boil a handful of Shisham leaves or 2 tbsp of chopped bark in 1 liter of water for 15 minutes.

2. Let it cool completely and strain.

3. Use the liquid to wash the affected area 2-3 times daily.

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Decoction

Purpose: For internal inflammation or as a gargle for sore throat.

Preparation & Use:

1. Boil 1 teaspoon of dried bark chips in 2 cups of water until it reduces to 1 cup.

2. Strain.

3. For internal use, drink 1-2 tablespoons twice a day. For a gargle, use the cooled decoction.

7. Disclaimer:

Dalbergia sissoo is generally considered safe for short-term external and internal medicinal use in traditional doses. However, its internal use should be moderate. Prolonged or excessive use may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort due to high tannin content. Sawdust from the wood is known to cause dermatitis and respiratory irritation in woodworkers. Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established, so it is best avoided. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using it for therapeutic purposes. This information is for educational purposes only.

8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

• Indian Materia Medica by Dr. K.M. Nadkarni

• Wealth of India (Raw Materials) by CSIR

• Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plants (Vol. series) by R.P. Rastogi & B.N. Mehrotra

• Scientific journals on natural product chemistry (for studies on sissoflavones).

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties

1. Pterocarpus santalinus (Rakta Chandana)

• Species: Pterocarpus santalinus | Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Pterocarpus

• Similarities: Both are prized timber trees from the Fabaceae family with heartwood used medicinally. Both are considered Raktashodhaka (blood purifiers) and are used for cooling inflammation, treating skin diseases, and fevers. Red Sandalwood is more cooling and revered in rituals.

2. Azadirachta indica (Neem)

• Species: Azadirachta indica | Family: Meliaceae | Genus: Azadirachta

• Similarities: Both are considered supreme blood purifiers and are first-line remedies for a wide spectrum of skin diseases (twak vikara) in Ayurveda. While Neem is more bitter and broad-spectrum, Shisham shares the strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin applications.

3. Acacia catechu (Khair)

• Species: Acacia catechu | Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Acacia

• Similarities: Another important timber tree yielding a medicinal extract (catechu or katha). Both are exceptionally high in astringent tannins used for wound healing, mouth ulcers, and skin conditions. They represent the use of tree barks and extracts for their tightening and healing properties.

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