Sandalwood oil is from India and extracted from Santalum album of the
Santalaceae family and is also known as East Indian sandalwood, santal,
saunders and sandalwood Mysore. The documented use of the wood goes back
4000 years and caravans carrying this wood from India to Egypt, Greece and
Rome were a familiar sight. Many temples were built from the wood and the
Egyptians used the oil in embalming.
Description of Sandalwood :
Sandalwood is an evergreen, parasitic tree that burrows its roots into
other trees. It can grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) high and has a brown-gray
trunk, many smooth slender branches, leathery leaves and small pink-purple
flowers. It is agreed that the best sandalwood oil is from Mysore in India.
Appearance : wooden chips and powdered forms.
Aroma : Woody, Exotic smell, Subtle and Lingering
Color : Pale yellow to pale gold
Chemical constituents: The main chemical components are
santalol, santyl acetate and santalene.
Extraction: Sandalwood oil is extracted from the chipped
heartwood by steam distillation.
Aromatherapy uses:
It is considered a cooling and calming aromatic herb, with astringent,
antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, analgesic and antiseptic properties. It
is wonderfully relaxing, reducing confusion and balancing the mind. On the
skin, sandalwood essential oil helps to moisturize and hydrate ageing, dry
or flaky skin, relieving itching and inflammation and its astringent action
balances oily skin conditions. Sandalwood is much in demand as incense and
has a calming effect during meditation. Swahra yoga recommends it for the
union of the senses and Tantric yoga for the awakening of sexual energy. The
oil of Sandalwood is used externally in aromatherapy and is said to calm the
mind and body. It has been employed in the rooms of patients with mental
health problems, as its fragrance is said to have a calming effect. It is
also thought to help those who are suffering from stress and to soothe
tension and anxiety.
Pharmaceutical uses:
Internally, sandalwood can be used for disorders of the genital and urinary
tract, stomach and digestive problems as well as for fever and sunstroke. It
is also used to treat dizziness as well as general chest complaints. In
traditional medicine it is used for infections of the lower urinary tract,
including cystitis and gonorrhea. It helps to clear up catarrh as well as a
dry cough, boosts the digestive system and helpful in diarrhoea.
Cosmetics and Toiletries:
Sandalwood is said to be beneficial for skin problems, especially those of
bacterial origin and useful in cases of dermatitis, acne, psoriasis,
scorpion stings and other inflammatory skin conditions. It is also used in
lotions that alleviate dry skin, rash, itching and prickly heat. Its
antibacterial qualities have also made it effective in deodorants and as a
mouthwash to treat bad breath. It can be used as
1) Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, sandalwood oil can be used for its aphrodisiac effect, to
help clear bronchitis, coughs, chest infections, asthma, insomnia,
irritability, nervous tension, stress, tension, for relaxing and as an
insect repellant.
2) Blended massage oil or in the bath
As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, sandalwood oil can assist
with bladder infections as well as chest infections and bronchitis, coughs,
dry eczema, insomnia, forming scar tissue, irritability, nervous tension,
stress, tension, as an aphrodisiac and for relaxing.
3) Gargle
It can be effective when diluted and used as a gargle for a sore or dry
throat.
4) Lotions or creams
When used in a lotion or cream sandalwood oil can assist with chapped, dry
or inflamed skin and has wonderful moisturizing and hydrating properties
which are great for anti-ageing skincare. The toning effect is useful when
fighting oily skin.
Perfumery and incence:
The powerful fixative properties of santalol and santalenes constituents of
sandalwood are highly appreciated in the incence and perfume industry. It is
an excellent fixative when combined with other oils, sandalwood slows the
evaporation of scent, thus it is more valued for its sweet, warm, rich
balsamic aroma and long lasting fragrance. It blends especially well with
floral or other oils dominated by their top or middle notes, but works with
almost any oil providing or enhancing the base note and lending its fixative
ability.
It's a scent that is suited for both feminine and masculine
formulas of perfumery.
Religious purposes:
Sandalwood is considered to be pure of the padmas(lotus group) in Buddhism.
Sandalwood scent is believed to transform one's desires and maintain a
person's alertness while meditation. It is most popular and commonly used
incence by the Chinese and Japanese form of worship. Firekeeping priests,
who have maintained sacred fires for centuries accept sandalwood twigs from
worshippers as their contribution for sustaining the fire in Zorastrians.
