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Dalbergia sissoo
Dalbergia, Fabaceae, is genus of very valuable timber, the most important species being Dalbergia latifolia Roxb., the Indian rosewood. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., also yields good timber and is frequently seen as an avenue tree throughout India, but is a native of Baluchistan, Sikkim, Upper Assam and up to 4,000 ft., in western Himalaya. The flowering twig and young fruits are illustrated. The species is easily distinguished from its acuminate leaf tips and one seeded winged fruits.
The roots are an astringent.
The wood is an alterative, useful in leprosy, boils, eruptions and vomiting.
The leaves are a bitter and stimulant and the decoction of the leaves is given in gonorrhoea.
Dalbergia latifolia is also used for the same general purposes.
The wood of Dalbrgia sissoo contains an essential oil composed of bisabolene and nerolidol, used in perfumery. Wood also contains neoflavonoids and dalbergichromene, that are anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic. Biochanin, an isoflavonoid derivative has a considerable oestrogenic activity.