The application of sandalwood is numerous, from skincare, perfumery to purification purposes. As an aroma or when used for fragrance, the qualities within the oil itself triggers a range of immense physiological responses within our bodies. For instance, from encouraging relaxation, being used as a sleep aid, to enhancing concentration to stimulate creativity, some people even believe that it can be used to heighten sexual gratification in the bedroom. So, its uses certainly extend to more than just scenting and simple aesthetics, for its unique qualities impart significant functional benefits as well as being an incredibly powerful purifying agent.
Sandalwood is particularly known for its cooling and soothing qualities, for calming irritated or acne prone skin. Traditionally, sandalwood paste is made by grinding a piece of sandalwood into powder, usually adding rosewater to the powder slowly, to create a paste. This paste known as ‘Chandana’ in Sanskrit is often used for ‘puja’ such as worship and other cultural practices for purification purposes. In Hindu culture, this paste is applied on the forehead in the belief that it will bring the devotee closer to the divine. Interestingly, sandalwood paste was also used as ‘gommage’ which means ‘to erase’ in French. A wonderful hygiene and spiritual practice of cleansing the body via exfoliation with sandalwood paste, applied on the skin as a purifying agent.
Diffuse, Scent and Purify
Much like eucalyptus, sandalwood is very effective in staving off the common cold when used in a diffuser. 2-3 drops of each sandalwood oil and eucalyptus oil are effective to help fortify our immune system, especially at the first symptoms and signs of stress, lethargy or general ill health. Diffusing will release the benefits of the antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic properties of the essential oils, that work to provide these sorts of functional benefits so sought by wellness enthusiasts.
The attributes of sandalwood are due to two types of sesquiterpene alcohol- Alpha-santalol and Beta-santalol. A-santalol is widely known as the active ingredient that gives sandalwood oil its anti-inflammatory quality- working in a similar way as anti-anxiety medication, by interacting with receptors in the brain that regulate stress and nervousness. On the other hand, another study using crude extracts of sandalwood oil showed antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium, which can cause bad breath, stomach, and ulcer diseases.
Options for diffusing, include our hand-poured aromatherapy candles and pure sandalwood essential oil. Both are perfect options for purifying the air, leaving a long-lasting pleasant aroma that has an uplifting effect on our mental state of awareness. All our oils and candles are free from artificial colours, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Sandalwood incense is another cost-effective method to experience the joys of sandalwood. According to traditional Chinese medicine, when inhaled through the respiratory system, sandalwood enhances the flow and depth of breath, allowing for a physiologically calming space, thereby rebalancing our emotions, mind, and physical body. Our incenses are available in greenwood and deadwood, 15 sticks per pack, each lasting approximately 2 hours. Naturally fallen deadwood collected from WA’s desert floor provides a soft calming fragrance, while the still supple greenwood variety provides a more vibrant and fresh fragrance. Whichever your preference, both types will serve to restore tranquillity within your space and calm your emotions. Though it’s been used by many yogis as an amplifier in their yoga practice- you certainly do not need to practice yoga or meditation to enjoy the benefits.
As you can see, using sandalwood for purification purposes brings along a myriad of wellness benefits! This wonderful viscous liquid gold renowned for its fragrant woody and slightly nutty notes is certainly a nature’s bounty- gift to humanity. Especially useful during these unprecedented times, where unpredictability and extra-ordinary stresses appears to underpin the different facets of our lives. Using sandalwood to ‘cleanse’, could be the game changer you’ve been waiting for. So, consider incorporating sandalwood in some capacity in your life, and reap the wellness benefits – it may just exceed your wellbeing expectations.
Ochi T, Shibata T, Higuti T, Kodama K, Kusumi T & Takaishi Y, ‘Anti Helicobacter pylori compounds from Santalum album’, Journal of Natural Products, 2005, Vol 68, p819-824.
Kumar A.N.A, Joshi G & Ram H.Y.M, ‘Sandalwood: history, uses, present status and the future’, Current Science, Dec 2012, Vol 103 (12), p1408-1415.
Hongratanaworakit T, Heuberger E, Buchbauer G, ‘Evaluation of the effects of East Indian sandalwood oil and alpha-santalol on humans after transdermal absorption’, Planta Med, Jan 2004, Vol 70 (1), p3-7. [doi: 10.1055/s-2004-815446. PMID: 14765284.]