SHISHAM OR INDIAN ROSEWOOD TREE HISTORY AND USES

THE SHISHAM TREE OR INDIAN ROSEWOOD


The Shisham or Indian Rosewood tree is the symbol of the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is not a native to this area, but native to the area around the Himalayas. It was brought into the Punjab to be cultivated for use as timber and for fuel for steam trains. It is a much-prized tree, but is susceptible to a disease called ‘Dieback’ which is caused by fungi which target particular species. At the moment this is a cause for concern in Pakistan.

It is used to make furniture, and is valued for its durability and the attractiveness of the wood grain. You may have seen decorative boxes made from it but in Pakistan it is used for furniture and in the construction industry. Musical instruments are made from it too, as are the tubes for hookahs, walking sticks and artificial limbs. The bark and wood ash are used to make dyes, and it produces good charcoal.

It is second only to teak in the Punjab, as teak is more widely grown and more expensive. However the Shisham tree is also used in traditional medicine on the subcontinent, and it is believed that it can be beneficial to sufferers of many diverse illnesses.

Some women use the sap from the leaves to lighten their skin colour, and to get rid of dark patches on their skin. The juice from the leaves mixed with honey is said to relieve painful eyes, and if you were to drink 10-15 ml. of the juice it would instantly banish heartburn and indigestion. The powdered bark of the Shisham tree is used in decoctions to treat STDs and is also said to be good for leprosy. It has been found that rosewood oil can stimulate new cell growth, and regenerate tissues, so it could prevent too many wrinkles. The oil is also good for acne and is used in some perfumes.

The leaves, roots and bark can be used as a stimulant, and a decoction of the bark can be drunk to purify the blood, and if you put a paste made from the bark on boils and pimples, they will soon go.

Recent medical studies have shown that the Shisham tree has astringent qualities and can help to prevent heart diseases.

Unfortunately, you can’t eat it, like the other trees we’ve been writing about recently, the Neem tree and the banyan, for example. However why not try our Chicken Jal Frezi recipe?

14 comments:

  1. shesham is also a prized wood for making dholak (an indian drum)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Buy and sell new and used modern, outdoor, office, bedroom and home furniture.
    Choose from a great selection of gently used furniture for every room in your home.
    More here here

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi, thanks about this post, if you'll excuse me , for more information how i can be connect with you?my email address is rezace2000@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. An usefull post,thx to admin for the article

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always found worth content here,Would like to visit again.Keep posting interesting articles like this..

    ReplyDelete
  6. I always found worth content here,Would like to visit again.Keep posting interesting articles like this..

    ReplyDelete
  7. are its leaves used to treat cancer?

    ReplyDelete
  8. can rose wood leaves cure colon cancer?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great article! Thanks for sharing!
    Stephanie from www.RusticfurnitureOutlet.ca

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is a good effort. Write about orher plants also.

    ReplyDelete
  11. American's finest decorative arts for luxury home furniture and interiors. Our collection is custom created for you by our experts. we have a tendency to bring the world's best to our doorstep. welfurn is leading Interior design company that gives exquisite styles excellence in producing and Quality standards. will give door-step delivery and can complete the installation at your home. office furniture ft lauderdale

    ReplyDelete
  12. what are the components present in indian rosewood leaves?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a nice blog and I appreciate your all efforts about your thoughts. It’s really good work. Weed

    ReplyDelete