6 health benefits of sappanwood or pathimugham

Does the humble pink drink from the Malayali kitchen have heart-protecting and antimicrobial benefits?

By: Sandhya Raghavan | | Updated: May 14, 2017 8:53 pm

If you have ever been to a Malayali friend s house, you may have been served a pink-coloured water with a deep, woody taste. Ever wondered what it is? The pink-tinted water is actually made by boiling water with shavings of sappanwood or Pathimugam as it is called in Kerala. Being a Malayali, I have grown up drinking this medicated beverage, whose taste I used to find revolting as a child. To tell you the truth, it is a taste that you grow accustomed to only when your taste buds (and your grey cells) mature. Today, I have come to appreciate its earthy taste and its wealth of benefits to the body. Traditionally, it is lauded for its ability to cool the body down during sweltering summers. Also Read - 10 health risks of dehydration

Many of my non-Malayali friends found the practice of adding wood shavings into drinking water rather odd. Water is great the way it is! they d exclaim. Little did they know that sappanwood transforms your regular water into a medicated cocktail brimming with health benefits. Here are some science-backed reasons why you should have sappanwood water today! Also Read - Drinks for weight loss--Can honey and lemon water help?

Benefit number 1: It is antimicrobial properties Also Read - Dos and don'ts for patients with cardiac problems during winter

Water boiled with sappanwood shavings has antimicrobial properties. That s because the wood itself has methanol which can inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria [1], which causes skin infections, food poisoning and joint infections.

Benefit number 2: It can curb acne

Washing your face with sappanwood water can be an effective acne treatment. Brazilein, a red pigment found in sappanwood extract has shown to fight Propionibacterium acnes [2] that cause acne and inflammation of the eyelids.

Benefit number 3: It is rich in antioxidants

Tea lovers know that they get their daily dose of antioxidants from tea. But tea can also cause severe acidity and caffeine addiction. If you want a great tea substitute that will give you all the antioxidants minus its demerits, try sappanwood tea instead. A study has shown that sappanwood provides more antioxidants and better protection from free radicals than quercetin [3] found in antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries. Read caffeine-free tea substitutes.

Benefit number 4: It has anti-allergic properties

Those with allergy problems should gulp down copious amounts of sappan wood water. Studies [4] have shown that the compounds in sappan wood, especially sappan chalcone has powerful anti-allergic properties.

Benefit number 5: It helps against seizures

Those who suffer from convulsions due to epilepsy and other disorders should reap the benefits of sappan wood. Research has concluded that extracts of pathimugam or has shown anticonvulsant activities.

Benefit number 6: It is good for the heart

Sip a cup of sappan wood water for good heart health. Studies have shown that Brazilein, the red pigment in the wood has positive effects on cardiac health.

Those hoping to buy sappan wood can find it in most stores that stock Kerala products or at Kerala Ayurvedic stores. The pale pink hue looks amazing when the water is poured into crystal glasses. Squeeze a bit of lime into it and sweeten it with honey for an interesting take on lemonade. Hot or cold, have a cupful today and enjoy every day for its many health benefits.

References:

1.Kim, K. J., Yu, H. H., Jeong, S. I., Cha, J. D., Kim, S. M., & You, Y. O. (2004). Inhibitory effects of Caesalpinia sappan on growth and invasion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 91(1), 81-87.

2.Batubara, I., Mitsunaga, T., & Ohashi, H. (2010). Brazilin from Caesalpinia sappan wood as an antiacne agent. Journal of wood science, 56(1), 77-81.

3. Mu’nisa, A., Muflihunna, A., & Hala, Y. (2016). ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY ASSAY OF SAPPAN WOOD (Caesalpinia sappan L.). In Proceeding International Conference on Mathematic, Science, Technology, Education and their Applications (Vol. 1, No. 1).

4.Yodsaoue, O., Cheenpracha, S., Karalai, C., Ponglimanont, C., & Tewtrakul, S. (2009). Anti allergic activity of principles from the roots and heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan on antigen induced hexosaminidase release. Phytotherapy Research, 23(7), 1028-1031.

5. Baek, N. I., Jeon, S. G., Ahn, E. M., Hahn, J. T., Bahn, J. H., Jang, J. S., … & Choi, S. Y. (2000). Anticonvulsant compounds from the wood ofCaesalpinia sappan L. Archives of pharmacal research, 23(4), 344.

6.Zhao, Y. N., Pan, Y., Tao, J. L., Xing, D. M., & Du, L. J. (2006). Study on cardioactive effects of brazilein. Pharmacology, 76(2), 76-83.

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Published : April 20, 2017 3:07 pm | Updated:May 14, 2017 8:53 pm

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