Sandalwood Heartwood beyond Beauty & Fragrance

Date Posted:23 July 2021 

The Santalaceae family contains well over 20 species of sandalwood trees worldwide, with Santalum album (Indian Sandalwood), a tropical variety, perhaps being the most multi-faceted and traditionally the most well known species. However, within the last few decades, the world demand of sandalwood has been supplied by Australia, in the form of a native dryland species known as Santalum spicatum. A common thread for all sandalwood species is that they are identified by their obligate hemi-parasitic nature- which means they need to partially rely on host trees via root connections known as haustoria, for their survival. Both species have been utilised for eons by different traditional cultures. The album was revered by the Vedic’s from ancient India, for medicine and cultural practices by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians, and the spicatum by the traditional owners of Australia. Sandalwood as a resource is so much more than the volatile essential oil, typically extracted from the ‘heartwood’ of sandalwood, as the wood and its powder itself are highly prized.

Within a bole or a trunk of a tree, the heartwood is the central part of the tree which is usually present within the older more mature trees. Sandalwood oil accumulates within the heartwood as the tree matures and in turn its beneficial active constituents too will be greater. These trees are slow growing, and not uncommon to take 15 years to develop heartwood and about 30 years for the heartwood to become economically useful or mature.

On the other hand, a juvenile tree will consist of sapwood only. The sapwood and outer parts of the trunk as illustrated below actually has no scent. Generally, the sapwood is retained for manufacturing agarbattis or incense sticks and lower cost turnery items.

 
 


It is interesting to note that the age of heartwood initiation within sandalwood trees has been found to vary with genotype and habitat, even amongst mature trees the amount of heartwood found was variable. It may be useful to refer to previous research, which describes sandalwood trees as being mature when the proportion of heartwood to the total tree diameter as being equivalent or greater.

It is thus to this end that Indian sandalwood is the most expensive- due to its highest heartwood santalol oil content of all the species as well as its anthropological significance. Kumar et al, (2012, p. 1409) describe the album heartwood as “…astringent, bitter, moderately hard, heavy, durable, yellow or brown in appearance, with an oily texture…”. Long sought after for making high value carvings, these heartwood creations often in the form of gods or mythological figures can fetch incredulous prices. Further, this same aromatic heartwood that’s so cherished by fragrance houses has such incredibly unique santalols that it even makes the wood impenetrable by termites!

So, considering that heartwood formation and sandalwood oil deposition largely determines the value of the sandalwood tree in question, which is garnered really through years of growth, it is no wonder that this scented heartwood commands such lofty prices in the marketplace.

This is the core reason for certain industry practices; with the sole aim of enhancing the formation of heartwood in sandalwood. Through the application of chemical treatments and mechanical tree wounding techniques. Treatment is based on the premise of manipulating plant hormone regulation, notably senescence, which refers to the process of aging. As after all, heartwood formation is an age-related process. Such unnatural compounds absorbed by the plant triggers a long-term chain reaction both within the tree and its hormonal and physiological processes. For instance, a spike in auxin which is a group of plant growth hormone regulators can lead to elongation of shoots due to stimulation of cell division. Alternatively, when a sandalwood tree is wounded, it induces a stress response within the cambium tissue which creates deposits around the circumference of the wound as a ‘protective’ measure to prevent infection. Although this manipulated stress response elicits chemicals that share some chemical characteristics with naturally derived heartwood formation chemicals, the outcome via ‘stress response’ is not true heartwood. (Shain & Hillis 1973) (Magel 2000).

Our discussion thus sheds light on gaps in knowledge or perhaps just a misunderstanding that certain manual practices can initiate heartwood. For stress-induced development just like an immune response to an injury or infection within the human body serves not so much as a strengthening objective but more as a healing purpose. It is also true to state that such induced inflammation situations can represent the ‘common foil’ of multifactorial diseases, creating situations so complex that the human mind cannot yet fully perceive due to the varying genetic and environmental factors.

Without a doubt, sandalwood is a revered gift from nature. Commonly referenced as the ‘Royal Tree’ in India, where the heartwood is considered so sacred, that the ground sandalwood powder made into a paste is a fundamental part of religious rituals and folk medicine. This affinity with the skin, specifically sandalwood powder is second to none. As a botanical input beyond beauty and fragrance, sandalwood is frequently applied on the foreheads and other areas for purification and other cultural purposes. Seen as an ancient symbol of devotion, the burning of sandalwood incense is understood to reveal a doorway to spirituality, so pivotal in meditation. Or for the layperson, simply used to create a calming space to allow for mindfulness. Sandalwood incense is also popular in one’s yoga practice, to enhance creativity or even as a sleep aid due to its various functional benefits.

Additionally, in some markets such as the US, Santalum album is approved and used as flavouring within the food and beverage industries; for its subtle but unrivalled quality as a flavour enhancer to magnify the flavours of other ingredients. Whether used as a spice during the Chinese Ming dynasty, as a marinade, or in pickling, sandalwood’s use as flavouring should not be overshadowed by its applications in fragrance and cosmetics.

Santalum is a genus that holds incontestable significance. Considering the notion that spirituality plays a role in shaping cultural understanding, its anthropological importance alone means that it deserves attention and protection to ensure its future viability.

Surely such a sacred wood warrants more than just the supreme economic value it affords us. Especially a species that has so intricately co-evolved alongside humanity. Deep reverence, not just in its cultivation and treatment, but as a reflection of the Invictus nature that exists in each and every sandalwood tree, as a mirror to ourselves.

An ingredient beyond beauty and fragrance so closely woven through culture and societies through time- sandalwood truly is the quintessence of purity and unparalleled uniqueness.

 

 

 

 

  • Christmas in July* (Sunday, 25th July 2021) ~ Turkey on the menu and more! The Sandalwood Shop, Albany WA.
  • Enjoy the Sunshine, Visit The Sandalwood Shop, Kununurra WA. Located at Lot 51 Weaber Plains Rd (not far from the Visitor centre)

* Please book by phone on (08) 9845 6817 or email to avoid disappointment.
 

 

 

N. Kumar, G. Joshi & H. Y. M Ram, ‘Sandalwood: history, uses, present status and the future’, Current Science, Dec 2012, Vol 103 (12), p.1408-1416

E. A Magel, ‘Biochemistry and physiology of heartwood formation’, 2000, p. 363-376 in R. Savidge, J.Barnett. and R. Napier. eds. Cell and molecular biology of wood formation. BlOS Scientific Publishers Ltd, Oxford. UK. p. 530

J. A. McComb, ‘Clonal Santalum album growth, oil content and composition on different hosts and at different locations’, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Dec 2008 (2009), Vol 92, p. 15-25

J. Moniodis, P. Finnegan, T. Page, J. Tungeon & M Tabi, ‘Enhancing the formation of heartwood in Sandalwood in Vanuatu’, ACIAR, 2020, p. 62 + VI

I. Pinto, H. Pereira & A. Usenius, ‘Heartwood and sapwood development within maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) stems. Trees, 2003(2004), Vol 18, 284–294. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-003-0305-8

A.M. Radomiljac, H.S. Ananthapadmanabho. R.M. Welboum & K. Satyanarayana Rao, ‘Sandal and Its Products. Proceedings of an International Seminar held at Bangalore India’, 18~19 December 1997. Canberra, ACIAR Proeeedings No. 84. P. 203 + XI.

S.M.C.U.P Subasinghe, ‘Sandalwood Research: A Global Perspective’, Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 2013 Vol. 3 (1), p.1-8 1 1-8

L. Shain, Hillis W. E. Hillis, ‘Ethylene production in xylem of Pinus radiata in relation to heartwood formation’, Canadian Journal of Botany-Revue Canadienne De Botanique, 1973 Vol. 51, 1331-1335. doi:10.1139/b73-166

 

 


Comments (1)

Broome, WA

By: on 27 July 2021
Hi, Where can we now purchase your products in Broome?

The Sandalwood Shop Response
Hi Veronica, thank you for your enquiry. Our products are available from Broome Thyme [Shop 31 Paspaley Plaza, 8 Short St - Ph: 9192 3524] and the Broome International Airport [McPherson Rd - Ph: 9194 0616]; I believe Seashells Resort has recently just started stocking our products as well. You can always head to the bottom of our website and select the option for 'Stockists', under the ABOUT US heading to search for more. Kind Regards G.R from The Sandalwood Shop Team.

Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up