Pathimugam - A Multipurpose Tree

Herbs and shrubs are said to possess certain medicinal values, but it was less considered that even a tree which does not bear any edible fruits can also possess some medicinal compounds. Well, Farmers only be benefited if a plant or tree produces certain edible food or cash crops. Inorder to make their living better, one such tree species has evolved which is called Pathimugam tree. It is also called by the name sappan wood or East Indian red wood which is said to be a multipurpose tree.Their natural population is thinly dispersed and grown in region where red soil is available in vast.  

Characteristic feature of the tree:

The tree grows upto 8-10 m in height and the trunk reaches upto 15-30 cm in diameter, after a period of 8 years. The heartwood contains the water soluble dye and it has high economic values. It can be cultivated in any type of soil, but only red soil is found to be suitable for maximum growth of the tree.  Due to its withstanding power in drought condition, it can be grown in any hot regions of the country, but it can do that for only 10-12 days period. At the month of April, flowering starts and that will continue till November or December. Basically, the golden yellow flowers are cross pollinated by bees, butterflies and insects.  The fruits which bear 3-4 seeds will start after 5-15 days of flowering, during the month of September and continues to mature for 3 more months. The seeds are brown/ black in colour with ellipsoid in shape. Inorder to grow the plant in healthy manner, the side branches of the tree are cut during the flowering period.

The tree is cultivated for many purposes such as for horticulture, dye production, fencing and medicinal substances. It is good fencing since it contains spikes all around its branches and trunk. So it is planted at the borders of the paddy or grape field. Tannin is basically used to make leather soft and the pods of the tree contain 40 % of the compound. Hence the fruits can be used to produce tannin and replace it with the sumac (toxic used for tanning purpose). 

As explained before, the heartwood contains certain water soluble dyes such as

Brazilian – It oxidize to yield red dye called brazilein (used for coloring leather, silk, cotton, wool, fiber etc)

Haemotoxylin – on oxidation it produces haematein. The dye used for microbial staining and also for histopathological studies. 

Protosappanins (A,B,C)

Pathimugam chalk cones

Cultivation Method:

Sappan can be propagated through seeds. Fresh seeds collected from healthy trees are ideal for better germination. Seeds cannot be stored for a long period and have three months period of viability.

A properly maintained six months old nursery seedling attains a growth of about 30-50 cm stem height. The life span of the tree is minimum 50-60 years and widely grows in deep sandy soil. The temperature in which it can survive and propagate properly is 18-40°C; hence it can grow in slight drought condition for short duration. The tree should be planted with proper spacing i.e. 889 trees can planted in an acre with 7X7 feet spacing.  The pit size should be 45 X 45X 45 cm with 5kg of farm manure for proper growth of the tree. Irrigation should be done once in 3-4 days for the first six months and it’s suggested that drip irrigation is best suitable for this. In the start from 7^th year of the planting, a tree provides 50-120 kgs of wood which includes the root also. Actually the wood and roots of the tree can be attacked by white fungus; hence in the middle of May Bordeaux mixture is sprayed each year without any fail.

The mixture can be prepared by mixing copper sulphate and lime powder in water. But we require 1 % of the mixture; hence mix 1 kg of copper sulphate and 1 kg of lime powder in 100 liters of water. Use 5 liters of the mixture for each tree.

The tree can be either planted in an empty land space or as a fence around your crop field. Fencing with tree could prevent cattle grazing in your field. 

Environmental Applications:

The tree can be used for afforestation by planting them around the street corners or highly air polluted areas like highway roads or road side. Through this way we get both profit as well as carbon dioxide less air. Therefore Pathimugam is employed in dry land development as well as in agro therapy.

The flowers will attract many people due to its golden yellow; hence it will act as a decorative tree along the streets.  

The chemical dyes are now replaced with organic and natural dyes; hence Pathimugam provides an eco friendly dye that can be used in many paper, cloth and leather industries without causing water pollution.

Industrial Applications:

Pathimugam will lead a way for many industries like paper, leather, or cloth to make their product an ecofriendly. Dye obtained from the heartwood will provide a great profit as well a low cost product for the locals. 

This tree brightens the future of pharmaceuticals industries with its tendency to cure many types of diseases such as cancer, kidney disorder, piles, cholesterol, blood purification, stomach ailments, 

skin diseases, diabetics, heart diseases etc. 

Medicinal uses:

An extract which is similar to resin substances is melted with potash (potassium hydroxide) to form a compound called Resorcin or resorcinol. This compound is used for skin disease, antiseptic, disinfectant, antidandruff shampoos or sunscreen creams.  Protosappanin A is said to possess immune suppressive activity which can be used during organ transplantation. The wood or bark on extraction by decoction method will yield the medicine. That medicine can be used for the treatment of tuberculosis, diarrhea, dysentery, skin infection, wounds, ulcers and anemia. The seeds are basically containing tannin (40%) which will cure stomach aches and can be used for nervous disorder. The roots, stem and other part are used as sedative.

In Kerala (India),Pathimugam is mixed in hot drinking water and used by the common people. This way the people in Kerala are trying to make their living hygenic with the herbals and ayurvedic trees like this. 

References: 

J. Wu, J. H. (2008). Protosappanin A, an Immunosuppressive Constituent from a Chinese Herb, Prolongs graft survival and attenuates Acute Rejection in Rat Heart Allografts. Transplantation proceedings. 40, pp. 3719-3722. china: Elsevier Inc.

Vijayan, D. G. (2010). Pathimugam Tree: A Natural Dye Yielding Ornamental Medicinal Plant. Palakkad: e-zine Science Tech Entrepreneur.


For more details on farming, harvesting and selling of the wood. Please contact:

T.G.Vijayan, Administrator & Sr.Project coordinator

The Farming Trust of India

Marutharoad PO, Palakkad-678007

Kerala,India

Mobile number: 09249792275