Dalbergia odorifera

Dalbergia odorifera, known in Chinese as “xiangmu,” is a fragrant rosewood whose heartwood has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020) the heartwood is prescribed as a decoction for cough, sore throat, and as a fragrant poultice for swelling and pain. Vietnamese herbalists, in a 2020 ethnobotanical survey by Nguyen et al., report that the dried heartwood is steeped in hot water to make a mild tea that eases digestive discomfort and is also macerated in alcohol to produce a tincture for respiratory ailments. Thai practitioners, according to Srisuk et al. (2021), apply a poultice of ground heartwood to bruises and use a decoction to relieve fever and muscle aches. Across these three cultures the same plant part—heartwood—is consistently used in infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and poultices, underscoring its long‑standing therapeutic role.

A simple decoction that follows traditional practice is as follows: combine 5 g of finely chopped heartwood with 200 ml of boiling water in a small pot. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, then strain and drink one cup. This preparation is considered safe for most adults, but it should be avoided by pregnant women and those with liver disease, as high doses of the wood’s coumarin compounds can be hepatotoxic. If a tincture is preferred, macerate 10 g of heartwood in 100 ml of 70 % ethanol for 48 hours, strain, and dilute 1:5 with water before use; again, limit intake to one teaspoon per day.

The pharmacological activity of Dalbergia odorifera is largely attributed to its rich profile of flavonoids and coumarins. Key constituents include 3,5‑dihydroxy‑4′‑methoxyflavone, 7‑hydroxycoumarin, and the volatile oil eugenol. These compounds have documented anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic effects that align with the plant’s traditional uses for cough, sore throat, and swelling. Modern phytochemical studies confirm the presence of these molecules and suggest that they may act synergistically to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit bacterial growth.

Today, Dalbergia odorifera remains a valued ingredient in both traditional medicine and the fragrance industry, where its aromatic heartwood is used in high‑end perfumes and incense. Ongoing research explores its potential as a natural anti‑inflammatory agent and as a source of novel bioactive compounds, ensuring that this ancient rosewood continues to find relevance in contemporary science and commerce.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
Essential oils are obtained from the heartwood and used in perfumery. Literature records notable constituents including β-selinene, nootkatone, and δ-cadinene among sesquiterpenes, and the composition varies by geographic origin; oils are used as fragrance materials rather than as traditional remedies.

Wood and fiber:
The species is a source of rosewood timber with a characteristic red–brown color and fragrant heartwood. Due to conservation concerns, international trade is regulated under CITES Appendix II; permits and CITES documentation are required for legal trade (species listed in Appendix II as of 2023).

Standards and regulation:
International trade is subject to CITES controls; export from the range state typically requires a CITES export permit, and imports require an import permit or the species’ listing on Appendix II to allow import with an export/re-export permit. National timber and plant import regulations (e.g., in the importing jurisdiction) apply in addition to CITES requirements.

Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is assessed as Endangered and faces declines due to habitat loss and over-exploitation for essential oil and timber. Legal supply depends on CITES-compliant permits and may involve propagation or wild-source management; conservation assessments note range reductions and high demand.

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