Huanghuali is found in Hainan province, China, and in Vietnam and Myanmar. Its hardness, warm color and fine grain made it sought after by royal families during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Back then, huanghuali was regarded as one of the finest woods ever found.
Slow Growth
Huanghuali trees grow at an extremely slow rate and only the core within the trunk can be used in furniture making. It takes up to 100 years for the wood core to develop maximum hardness, but then it is only the size of a rolling pin. At least 500 years is needed for the wood core to be used to make a piece of furniture, and 1,000 years for the whole trunk to be fully grown.
Image from the internet
Special Characteristics
Huanghuali is usually a golden-yellow or golden-brown color, making it a symbol of royal solemnity. Different patterns of wood grain are often visible; there could be tiger stripes, butterflies or rippling waters. A pleasing feature of huanghuali is the boils often found on the wood’s surface. These boils are smooth without crevices, resembling human faces with various expressions and providing plenty of character to the wood.
Huanghuali is highly stable and durable such that it does not deform or crack under extreme temperatures. As such, it is ideal for wooden furniture. During the Ming dynasty, huanghuali trees were cut down in large numbers after getting the seal of approval by the royal families. As a result, they became very scarce in Emperor Qianlong times. At present, a proper piece of huanghuali is extremely hard to find; therefore, it has become a valuable collectible.
Health Benefits
The core of huanghuali contains healing properties. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, the wood’s fragrance can calm whoever smells it.
Also, the wood can be used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol level. Wearing accessories made of huanghuali helps soothe pain and aches, unblock internal channels, relieve inflammation, calm the mind, and improve the skin. In the form of home decorations, it can boost the positive feng shui, keep evil influences at bay, and bring peace and auspiciousness to the home.
