Sappan Wood

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan.

Long cylindrical or half-cylindrical shape, 10~100cm long, 3~12cm diameter. Externally yellowish-red to dark red, alternating red and white thin striations, with scars of knife cuts and scars of stems, often with longitudinal cracks. Fractured surface is slightly lustrous, obvious annual rings; sometimes has pith that is dark brown and loose with bright spots. Hard texture, faint odor, slightly astringent taste.

Superior medicinal material is firm, thick, large, yellowish-red.

Sweet, salty, neutral

Quickens the blood, dispels stasis, eliminates swelling, relieves pain. Apply to amenorrhea due to blood stasis, painful menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis, postpartum dizziness, welling-abscesses, injuries caused by falls, tetanus.