Dalbergia cochinchinensis

Dalbergia cochinchinensis (syn. D. obtusa), a tropical rosewood, has been used historically across mainland Southeast Asia in forms familiar to practitioners of traditional medicine. The preparation data come from verifiable ethnobotanical records and associated documentation. The user has not indicated a preference for memory or web retrieval; both methods are acceptable.

Dalbergia cochinchinensis (Authority: Pierre) is a tropical rosewood widely documented for wood use; specific medicinal teas, tinctures, decoctions, or poultices for the exact taxon are not reliably reported in accessible, verifiable sources. As a result, I have nothing to write here.

Common products:
Common products are sawn lumber and veneers, typically supplied as dimension stock, planks, and sliced veneer leaves. It is traded under names such as “Siamese rosewood,” “Trac,” and “Saya” in regional markets. Products are used in high-end cabinetwork, flooring, and musical instruments, where the distinctive grain and color are valued.

Industrial and craft applications:
Industrial applications center on fine woodworking and manufacturing of premium goods: furniture and case goods, interior flooring, paneling, turnery, and musical instruments (particularly guitars and other stringed instruments). Craftspeople use the wood for sculpture, jewelry, handles, inlays, and fine art objects. Machining quality is generally good when sharp tools are used; the wood is noted for holding fine detail and polish.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented non-medicinal food or beverage uses are reported.

Colorants and tanning:
The heartwood contains tannins and phenolic extractives that impart rich brownish-red colors. It has historically been used in small-scale wood dyeing and as a source of reddish-brown natural colorants for wood finishes and leather; industrial-scale use is limited.

Wood and fiber:
The material is a hardwood valued for density, stability, dimensional accuracy, and natural durability. Interlocked grain and fine, even texture facilitate smooth surfacing and polishing. These properties support structural and decorative applications in furniture, flooring, musical instruments, and turnery.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented uses in fragrance or cosmetics are reported.

Properties relevant to use:
The heartwood is highly decay-resistant, rich in extractives, and offers high dimensional stability and strength suitable for precision instruments and fine cabinetwork. The wood machines well and takes a high polish, enabling tight joinery and detailed carving. Veneers glue satisfactorily with conventional adhesives and are used in high-quality paneling and marquetry. Machining with sharp carbide tools is recommended due to the hard, dense nature of the material.

Standards and regulation:
The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES, requiring export permits and due diligence. Trade is subject to national timber regulations in range states and import controls in consuming countries. Veneer and lumber are classified for customs purposes as “rosewood” in several jurisdictions.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Populations are threatened by historic overharvest and habitat loss. Conservation measures include protected areas, permits and controls on cutting, and plantation establishment where feasible. Supply chains emphasize verified legal sources and chain-of-custody documentation to meet CITES and national compliance requirements.

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