Sandalwood

Other Names of Sandalwood

Chandan
Sandal
Santalum album
White sandalwood
Red sandalwood
White saunders
Yellow sandalwood
East Indian sandalwood

Useful Parts of the Plant

Wood
Bark
Essential oils

The trunk of sandalwood tree is used to extract the highly aromatic sandalwood paste and powder. Sandalwood is well known for its many health benefits, and it is used for its antiseptic properties. Sandalwood essential oils are used in the preparation of soaps, incense, powders, perfumes, and other cosmetics. Sandalwood essential oils have medicinal uses and sandalwood aromatherapy can be used for relaxation. Pure sandalwood oil is very expensive and is considered a rare commodity. It is indigenous to India and is used extensively in the Indian subcontinent as well as in China. This evergreen tree thrives well in the hot and wet climate of Southern India.

Nutritional Information and Properties

Pure sandalwood contains a lot of chemical compounds that help remove infection from your body. Sandalwood oil is usually used as a flavoring agent in foods. In China, however, sandalwood is used for medicinal purposes as well. It is recommended that you consume sandalwood medications only after discussing it with your doctor. Sandalwood aromatherapy can be used to treat stress-related disorders. The oil is also healthy for your skin and can be used to treat various skin conditions including dryness, eczema, itchiness, and rashes. Sandalwood has pheromone-like properties and is therefore used in manufacturing perfumes and deodorants. Sandalwood oil can also be used as an aphrodisiac.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses

Apart from its fragrance, sandalwood is also used for its many health benefits and therapeutic uses.

Perfumes with sandalwood are used for their aphrodisiac properties. These perfumes also have pheromone-like properties that make them a highly desirable additive to perfumeries and perfumed cosmetics.
The wood, bark, and sandalwood oils are also used for their healing properties. They have been used in Chinese medication for healing of abdominal pains and other gastric problems. Sandalwood has an anti-microbial action and can be used to treat internal infections such as those in the alimentary canal.
Being an antiseptic agent, sandalwood can be used externally to treat inflammation of the genital organs, urinary bladder, cystitis, and other urinary infections. It can also help in reducing inflammation caused from sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea.
Sandalwood paste is great for the skin. It can be used to improve skin texture, soothe burnt skin, and treat eczema and rashes. It can also be used to soothe prickly heat.
Sandalwood powder, though expensive, can be a great addition to your daily skin care routine. Using sandalwood paste on your skin can help remove any microbes, reducing the risk of skin infections and acne.
Sandalwood essential oil can be used in aromatherapy to reduce stress, hypertension, and emotional negativity. The compounds in this volatile oil can trigger off the production of serotonin in the brain, increasing overall happiness and contentment.
Sandalwood essential oil can also be used for healing wounds and treating skin blemishes. The oil itself is very potent, so it should be used in very small quantities only after mixing with some carrier oil.
Sandalwood has been found to be an antispasmodic agent. It helps to relax the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. Regular use of sandalwood oil can stop muscle contractions and spasms.
It also has slight astringent properties,and this makes it excellent for gums. This can help tighten the hold of the gums on your teeth, preventing natural teeth loss.
Sandalwood also acts as an expectorant and can help treat chronic or severe cough. For this, sandalwood can be used both internally and externally.
It can be a healthy tonic for growing children. It is also soothing for the child's stomach and abdomen.

Other Uses

Sandalwood can also be used as a deodorant and can be blended with other essential oils to make different fragrances.

Precautions/ Side Effects/ Warnings

Improper use of sandalwood can cause tightening of the chest, chest pains, and inability to breathe. It can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people, causing itchy skin, rashes and hives.