Sandalwood Santalum album

Exotic, soothing and calming

Botanical name Santalum album
Country of origin India
Growing method Cultivated    Plant part Wood
Extraction method Steam Distillation

Characteristics
Sandalwood is a luxurious and exquisite oil with a medium to viscous consistency with a rich, balsamic, sweet fragrance with delicate wood notes. The colour is mainly Golden Orange with brown tones.

Therapeutic actions
Anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, sedative, tonic.

When to use
Lymphatic, Nervous, Respiratory, Urinary, Skin care

The warm woody scent of sandalwood is comforting, serene, peaceful and sensual. Rather than using in a diffuser, the essential oil is best when applied as a massage oil, pulse point or sniffy tube to help relieve distress, nervous tension, mild anxiety, insecurity, and irritability.
Once a gonorrhoea treatment, sandalwood is still used for genito-urinary infections. It counters Bronchitis, inflammation, haemorrhoids, persistent coughs, nausea, throat problems, laryngitis, leucorrhoea, and some nerve pain.
Suitable for all complexion types, sandalwood is useful on rashes, inflammation, acne, and chapped skin and dry skin, oily skin, scars, sensitive skin, and stretch marks.
Sandalwood has historical applications as an aid in meditation for religious ceremonies. Sandalwood East Indian is believed to create an exotic, sensual mood with a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
It also has extensive uses in the perfume industry as a fixative, and use in body care products for the fragrance it provides.

How to use
Massage, ointment, inhalation, diffuser, oil vaporiser.

Blends well with
Blends well with most oils. The list includes Rose, Clove Bud, Lavender (All types), Geranium (All Types), Vetiver, Patchouli, Jasmine, Peru Balsam, Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cypress (All Types), Fennel (All Types), Frankincense, Galbanum, Myrrh, Palmarosa, Pepper (All Types), Peppermint (All Types), Spearmint, and Vanilla.
Middle Note for blending.

Traditional usage
The documented use of Sandalwood goes back 4000 years to India, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Many temples and structures were built from Sandalwood and the Egyptians used it in embalming. This practice has steadily decreased to the point where Sandalwood East Indian is now only being used for the distillation of oil. The largest reason for this is the over-harvesting of the tree coupled with the 30 year period required for the regeneration.
As with all of our oils, we acquire our oils ethically. In this case it is through State sponsored auctions in India.

Personality profile
Sandalwoodians are fully aware of where they are going in life, serene and focused as they travel their path!

Energetics and subtle aromatherapy
Spiritually, Sandalwood is said to quieten internal chatter to help assist with meditation.
In Chinese medicine, Sandalwood is cooling, and is recommended for hot, damp and inflamed conditions.
Chakra: Links Base to Crown
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Magical influences: Spirituality, Meditation, Sex, Healing

Safety Precautions
No known toxicity.

Important Note: The information provided is for educational purposes only

Sourced from 
Battaglia, S. (2003).The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2nd Edition. The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia.
Lawless, J. (1995). The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Element Books Ltd, UK.
Schnaubelt, K. (1999). Medical Aromatherapy - Healing with Essential Oils. Frog Ltd, USA.
Wildwood, C. (1994). Create Your Own Perfumes using Essential Oils. Piatkus, UK.
Worwood, V. (1995). The Fragrant Heavens - The Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy. Doubleday, UK.
Worwood, V. (1999). The Fragrant Mind - Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion. Doubleday, UK.>/br>