Improve the quality of your life with Sandalwood

Date Posted:1 July 2021 

Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years by ancient civilisations globally, with the earliest recorded use of Sandalwood in medicine found in ancient Chinese transcripts. Other uses include wood carvings, for the creation of perfumes and beauty products, to religious uses in the East or as medicines in the form of Ayurveda in India. The more well-known sandalwood species are the Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), a tropical variety and Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum), a dryland species native to WA.

The key organic compound or active constituent known as alpha-Santalol provides most of sandalwood’s therapeutic qualities, with benefits experienced via inhalation or topical application. Studies have shown that when applied, it influences the parasympathetic nervous system, serving to reduce anxiety, improve quality of sleep and enhance relaxation along with a host of dynamically associated benefits. Beta-Santalol on the other hand, is the other major active organic compound that provides sandalwood’s creamy, woody aroma and therapeutic qualities. As a comparison, Indian sandalwood contains around 70-90% of these major compounds, while Australian sandalwood is typically around 20-40%. Going by the alpha and beta Santalol content in the oils as a quality measure for all the sandalwood species around the globe, Santalum album is a clear winner. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and in agreeance with Chinese Pharmacopeia, the album is the stated species for use in this area as medicine. However, the Australian sandalwood, native to WA brings its own unique value as research conducted has found that the spicatum’s kernel oil naturally suppresses sebum secretion and reduces fat deposition under the skin. These Aussie sandalwood nuts are also rich in ximenynic, a naturally derived acid that’s been identified as a potent anti-inflammatory agent and oleic acid, a type of fatty acid commonly found in premium antioxidant rich cosmetic oils such as almond and olive. Whether it’s the album or spicatum species, these are just some of the properties which makes sandalwood- such an amazing wellness botanical ingredient.

Explore the benefits of sandalwood further by heading to: www.thesandalwoodshop.com.au.


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