Sandalwood Essential Oil
In Hinduism, sandalwood is an indispensable substance that is been used for religious ceremonies for thousands of years; rituals for births all the way to funeral rites, and everything in between, have made use of sandalwood. But there is a lot more to this essential oil than just aromatherapy uses and experts have discovered a number of health benefits that are pretty impressive. Today, sandalwood is used in all sorts of products in the industrial sector, such as skin products beauty balms, soap, lotions and air fresheners. Of course, sandalwood is also used in a number of medicines as well. It is also closely related to the species of plant known as mistletoe.
How is Sandalwood Essential Oil Manufactured?
Sandalwood is made like most essential oils that are based upon a particular plant. In this case, wood from sandalwood trees is broken up and then processed via steam distillation to extract the oil. The problem is, some of these trees are nearly a century old and the yields are quite low, so sandalwood essential oil is difficult to obtain and costs more than many other essential oils. In the past, the process of hydrodistillation is often used to create sandalwood essential oil, but it is rarely practiced today.
Types of Sandalwood Essential Oil
There are actually three types of Sandalwood that are used to make essential oils but only one particular species is used to make the majority of essential oils. Santalum Album, or Indian sandalwood, is supposed to be the best essential oil species that you can find. However, there are two more species that are often used to make essential oils, even though the first is prohibitively expensive and the second is not nearly as beneficial: the first is Hawaiian Sandalwood and the other is Australian sandalwood with the botanical names Santalum Ellipticum and Santalum Ellipticum, respectively.
How to Use Sandalwood Essential Oil
Like other essential oils, there are multiple ways that you can use sandalwood. Obviously, the aromatherapy method is a very popular way to use sandalwood and it is this that is often most used in religious ceremonies. With aromatherapy, sandalwood is inhaled, and the benefits that come from this essential oil are delivered to the body that way. In addition, sandalwood can be diffused and sprayed into the air, and then inhaled that way as well. Finally, sandalwood can also be used topically when diluted in carrier oil, with the most effective application being a massage, applied directly to the affected site.
Composition of Sandalwood Essential Oil
The composition of sandalwood essential oil is by far less complex than most essential oils. There are just three primary ingredients that make up sandalwood essential oil.
- Beta Santalol
- Santyl Acetate
- Santalenes
Aromatic Description of Sandalwood Essential Oil
When it comes to the aromatic profile of sandalwood essential oil, the fragrance is extremely pleasing. In fact, this is the most well-known attribute of sandalwood essential oil and the reason that it is used for burn and fragrance at religious ceremonies. The scent of sandalwood is very sweet and warm. It is a woodsy smell that is rich and intoxicating.
Precautions &
Here are some things you need to keep in mind when it comes to using sandalwood essential oil as well as any other of the essential oils that you decide to use. This is actually one of the safer oils out there and you can use it in any of the ways that essential oil is normally used: ingestion, topically or inhalation. But with any of these methods it is important to dilute sandalwood before you begin, particularly with topical application. As always, it is not recommended for children, women who are pregnant or women who are nursing, and if you’re trying to treat a disease or condition, you should do so only under the care of a licensed healthcare provider.
Attributes of Sandalwood Essential Oil
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | Reduces pain in muscles and joints | |
| anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | X | Reduces inflammation |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | Helps to alleviate depression | |
| antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
| anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
| antifungal | Kills harmful fungal life forms | |
| antimicrobial | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease | |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
| antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
| antiseptic | X | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease |
| antispasmodic | X | Prevents spasms from occurring |
| antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
| aperient | Relieves constipation | |
| aphrodisiac | Increases sexual desires | |
| astringent | X | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles |
| bactericidal | Kills bacterial agents | |
| carminative | X | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | X | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue |
| circulatory | Promotes healthy circulatory system function | |
| diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| deodorant | Eliminates and prevents body odor | |
| depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
| Digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| diuretic | X | Removes excess water from the body |
| expectorant | X | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body |
| emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
| febrifuge | Aids in the reduction of fever | |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | Kills certain types of insects or pests | |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves | |
| sedative | X | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness |
| stimulant | Increases physiological or nervous system activity | |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands | |
| tonic | X | Tones the skin or muscles |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
| vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Sandalwood Essential Oil Used For?
There are many different things that sandalwood essential oil is used for in addition to the aromatherapy benefits and the use in religious ceremonies in the Hindu religion. The first health benefit is that sandalwood is an antiseptic. When it comes to both ingestion and topical application, it helps to clean wounds and protect from infection. This is combined with the anti-inflammatory property of sandalwood, which is particularly strong in the case of sandalwood essential oil. All of the body systems can benefit from anti-inflammation, and much of the pain that we feel can be relieved by taking an anti-inflammatory, which is why ibuprofen is such a popular pain medication.
Sandalwood essential oil is an antispasmodic as well as being a sedative. Spasms can cause all sorts of problems, from diarrhea to vomiting and even painful muscle spasms, and the sedative qualities of sandalwood not only help you feel better and reduce anxiety but it also works to eliminate symptoms related to spasms. In addition, sandalwood essential oil is astringent, although not nearly as much is some essential oils that are out there, and it can help with tightening of the skin in other bodily tissue, which can help with everything from reducing fine lines and signs of aging to better systemic health.
Sandalwood essential oil has both cicatrisant and carminative properties. The first means that it helps the body to heal and especially helps wounds to heal faster and scars to fade better. Being carminative, sandalwood helps the intestinal system and stomach to relax and helps to remove gases and prevent bloating. In addition, sandalwood is a diuretic and it helps to heal the body by removing excess water which has toxins that are causing poor health. Some of the other things that this essential oil can help with are: reducing inflammation, helping to stop coughing, fighting viral infections, reducing fever, reducing blood pressure, increasing brainpower and improving memory and acting as a sedative.
Recommended Combinations Involving Sandalwood Essential Oil
The Final Word on Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is great and the fact that is been used for thousands of years and it is a staple of the Hindu religion can definitely show that you should have it on hand for the aromatherapy benefits alone. However there are also all of the health benefits that come with it, totalling nearly two dozen, and ranging from preventing infections to being an effective tonic for hair growth. Sandalwood essential oil should be one of the primary oils you have on hand for alternative health remedies.
