Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Unani, for various skin conditions including rashes and hives. In these systems, Red Sandalwood is considered to have cooling, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Traditional practitioners prepare pastes or decoctions from the wood, applying them topically to soothe itching, reduce redness, and promote healing of irritated skin.

However, scientific studies specifically examining the efficacy of Red Sandalwood for rashes and hives (urticaria) are limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects from extracts of the wood, but these findings are preliminary and not directly linked to the management of rashes or hives in humans. No high-quality clinical trials exist to validate its effectiveness for these conditions.

In summary, the use of Red Sandalwood for rashes and hives is primarily justified by traditional practices, with modest supporting evidence from laboratory studies. Robust scientific validation in human subjects is lacking, so its use remains rooted in historical medical systems rather than modern clinical research.