Health Benefits of Sandalwood

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Many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.

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Native of Asia. The region of Mysore, India exports the highest quality oil.

Other Species:

The Australian sandalwood (S. spicatum) produces a very similar oil, but with a dry bitter top note.

The West Indian sandalwood (Amyris balsamifera) is a poor substitute and bears no botanical relation to the East Indian sandalwood.

For ages, Sandal has reserved as place of dignity and priority in many civilizations and religions of the world, especially in Hindu Religion, where it is considered holy and indispensable in all the social and religious rituals and ceremonies, right from the birth of an individual till his death.

In every step, sandal is required. It is offered to the Gods and Goddesses, used in decorating babies in their anniversaries, used in marriages to decorate brides and bridegrooms, mixed with the flowers and other offerings, used to embalm bodies and foreheads which is a common practice among people of many communities in India and also burnt with the pyre while cremating dead-bodies.

Sandalwood oil is a pale-yellow to yellow, viscous liquid having an extremely soft, sweet-woody and almost animal-balsamic odour.

Sandalwood remains uniform for a considerable length of time due to its outstanding tenacity.

A small, evergreen, parasitic tree up to 9 metres high.

The tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready for the production of sandalwood oil.

Timber, inner heartwood.

The oil is steam-distilled or water-distilled from the coarsely powdered heartwood and the major roots.

Hydrocarbons: sesquiterpenes %u03B1-and %u03B2-santalene 10%, epi-%u03B2-santalene 6%, %u03B1 and %u03B2-curcumene, farnesene Alcohols: sesquiterpenols %u03B1-santalol 46-60%,, %u03B2-santalol 20-30%, epi-%u03B2-santalol 4-5%, trans-%u03B2-santalol 1-2%, cis-lanceol 1.5%, cis-nuciferol1%, a monocyclic sesquiterpenol 5%, a tricyclin sesquiterpenol 1%.

Sandalwood is one of the oldest known aromatic materials and has at least 4,000 years of history of use.

In ancient India it was widely used in religious ceremonies.

It was also a specific for genitorurinary infections.

In India and Egypt it was used as a perfume, and was an ingredient of many cosmetics.

While sandalwood is valued for its essential oil, the closely-grained, fine, pale yellow wood was often referred to as "botanical ivory" as the wood is used for carved objects of high quality.

The spread of the use of sandalwood throughout Asia followed the spread of Buddhism.

The use of powdered sandalwood as incense is an example of how sandalwood has always been considered the aromatic foundation of Buddhist practice.

Basil, bergamot, black pepper, cypress, atlas cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, orange, palmarosa, rose, vetiver, ylang-ylang.

Sandalwood oil has a relaxing effect on the nerves and may be used for hot, agitated emotional states that lead to conditions such as headache, insomnia and nervous tension.

Sandalwood is recommended for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, especially when its soothing, demulcent effects are
required.

It is recommended for chronic bronchitis involving a chronic dry cough.

Applied to the skin, sandalwood oil is soothing, cooling and moisturising and primarily used for dry skin conditions caused by loss of moisture and skin inflammations.

It may be used to relieve eczema and psoriasis and for the treatment of oily skin and acne.

The qualities of sandalwood oil are cooling.

It is primarily indicated for conditions of a hot, inflammatory and catarrhal nature - particularly where the skin, intestines, genitourinary system and the lungs are involved.

Sandalwood personalities are serene and in charge of their emotions, fully aware of their direction in life.

Fischer-Rizzi suggests that sandalwood aids people who want to make human contact and overcome isolation.

She says that it is an ideal remedy for nervous depression, fear, stress and a hectic daily tempo.

The health benefits of Sandal Wood Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti septic, anti inflammatory, anti phlogistic, anti spasmodic, astringent, cicatrisant, carminative, diuretic, disinfectant, emollient, expectorant, hypotensive, memory booster, sedative and tonic

Sandal Oil and paste of Sandal is used in medicines, skin and beauty treatments and numerous industrial products including mouth fresheners, edibles, incense sticks, room fresheners, deodorants, perfumes, soaps, lotions, creams and others.

It has some really remarkable medicinal properties.

Anti Septic:

Essential Oil of Sandal Wood is very good as an anti septic. It is safe for both internal and external applications. It ingested, it helps protect internal wounds and ulcers from infections. Similarly, when applied on skin, it protects wounds, sores, boils, pimples etc. from infections and from getting septic.

Anti Inflammatory:

Both Sandal Wood paste and its essential oil are very effective as anti inflammatory agents. They have a nice cooling effect and gives relief from all types of inflammations in brain, digestive system, nervous system, circulatory system, excretory system etc. resulting from infections, fever, side effects of antibiotics, poisoning, insect bites, wounds etc. Sandal Wood Essential Oil is particularly beneficial in case of nervous and circulatory inflammations.

Anti Phlogistic:

Just as it has been discussed above, Sandal Wood Oil has Anti Phlogistic properties and gives relief from inflammations resulting from fever and viral infections.

Anti Spasmodic:

Being a relaxant and sedative in nature, this oil works great against spasm too. It relaxes nerves, muscles and blood vessels and hence ends spasm or contraction. Thus it is helpful in treating problems associated with spasm, such as cramps, aches, coughs etc.

Astringent:

Although very mild, still this oil has some astringent properties which induce contraction in gums, muscles and skin. This proves beneficial in terms of strengthening hold of gums on teeth, strengthening of muscles, tightening of skin etc.

Cicatrisant:

The essential oil of Sandal Wood soothes skin and helps fading away of scars, spots etc. It has been an old practice to use paste of sandal wood as a skin pack. The same effect can be obtained from this essential oil. This oil is now extensively used in skin-care soaps, lotions and creams.

Carminative:

The Essential Oil of Sandal Wood, being relaxant in nature, induces relaxation in the intestines and abdominal muscles, thereby facilitating removal of gases. It does not also let gases form.

Diuretic:

Due to its relaxing and anti inflammatory nature, it soothes inflammations in the urinary system and induces relaxation in it, thereby promoting easy passage of urine. It also increases frequency and quantity of urination. This helps a lot treating the infections and inflammations in the urinary system.

Disinfectant:

It is the disinfectant property of Sandal Wood Essential Oil that justifies it's such a wide use in the religious ceremonies and cosmetics. Its fragrance keeps away microbes and small insects and that is why it is extensively used in incense sticks, sprays, fumigants and evaporators to disinfect the whole surrounding. Moreover, this oil can be mixed with bathing water or other lotions or oils to apply on skin and wounds and ensure their protection from infections. This oil can also be safely taken with milk to cure internal infections, such as those in throat, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, excretory tracts etc.

Emollient:

Sandal Oil soothes skin, relieves it from inflammations and irritations, cures infections on it and keeps it fresh and cool.

Expectorant:

Sandal Wood Essential Oil behaves as an expectorant and is particularly effective in treating coughs. It also fights viral infection which causes cough & cold, flu, mumps etc.

Hypotensive:

This is a very useful property of Sandal Wood Essential Oil. It can be taken with milk or even water to reduce blood pressure in patients suffering from high blood pressure. The paste of Sandal Wood has the same effect.

Memory Booster:

It improves memory and induces concentration. It keeps the brain cool and relaxed and saves from undue stress and anxiety.

Sedative:

This oil sedates inflammations, anxiety, fear, stress, restlessness etc. and induces relaxation, calmness, concentration, inner vision, positive thoughts etc.

Tonic:

This oil can be very good health tonic for all, especially for growing children. It can be safely given to them. Since it is soothing on stomach and digestive system, circulatory system and nervous system, it helps these system function in harmony and without any

Other Benefits: Deodorant

Sandalwood has long been considered the wood and oil of choice for meditation.

It is reputed to quieten mental chatter and is also recommended for the preparation of healing work.

Topical application - massage, compress, bath, douche, ointment and skin care.

Inhalation - direct inhalation, diffuser, oil vapouriser and steam inhalation.

Battaglia S, Complete Guide to Aromatherapy 2nd Ed 2003 ICH

Fischer-Rizzi S, Complete Aromatherapy Handbook, Sterling Publishing Company, USA, 1990

The Complete Illustrated Guide To Aromatherapy by Julia Lawless.

Natural Home Health Care Using Essential Oils by Daniel Penoel MD & Rose-Marie Penoel.