Sappaan

Sappaan, also spelled sappan or sappanwood, refers to the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan, a tropical tree in the legume family. The term is used for both the timber and the natural red dye obtained from the wood, which has a deep red to reddish-brown color and has been employed in textiles, crafts, and artwork for centuries.

Caesalpinia sappan is native to tropical Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It grows in lowland forests and disturbed habitats and is cultivated in some regions for dye production and timber. The tree can reach several meters in height, and its heartwood is valued for producing a stable red pigment.

The dye is associated with chemical constituents such as brazilin and brazilein, which together yield a range of red hues depending on extraction methods and mordants. In traditional practice, sappanwood dye has been used for textile dyeing, leather coloring, and as a pigment in cosmetics and artwork. The hue can vary from pink to crimson, with color fastness influenced by processing conditions and the use of mordants.

Historically, sappanwood dye played a role in East and Southeast Asian trade and contributed to the repertoire of natural red dyes before synthetic pigments became widespread. In some regions, the wood has also been explored for medicinal uses in traditional practices, though scientific evidence for efficacy varies.

Sustainability concerns arise from overharvesting in certain areas. Conservation and cultivation programs aim to preserve wild populations while supporting regulated production of dye and timber.