The health benefits of Sandalwood essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti
Septic,
Anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic,
Antispasmodic,
Astringent,
Cicatrisant,
Carminative,
Diuretic,
Disinfectant,
Emollient,
Expectorant, hypotensive,
Memory booster,
Sedative, and a
Tonic substance.
The essential oil of sandalwood is extracted through steam distillation of pieces of wood from matured Sandalwood trees which are 40-80 years old, although 80 years is preferred. The older the tree, the more oil is available, and the
Aroma is stronger.
As far as quality is concerned, Indian Sandalwood (botanical name Santalum Album) is considered best. There are two more varieties, namely the Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum Ellipticum), which is quite expensive, and the Australian Sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum) which is not too beneficial, but is commercially more in use, since the first two varieties are rare and subsequently expensive; the Indian variety is on the verge of extinction and is exorbitantly expensive. The main constituents of the essential oil of sandalwood are Beta Santalol, Santyl Acetate, and Santalenes.
For centuries, sandalwood has reserved a place of dignity and respect in many civilizations and religions of the world, especially in the Hindu Religion, where it is considered holy and indispensable in almost all of the social and religious rituals and ceremonies, from the birth of an individual until their death. In every step, sandalwood is required. It is offered to various Hindu gods and goddesses, mixed with flowers and other ceremonial offerings, used to embalm bodies and foreheads which is a common practice among people of many communities in India, and it is also burnt with the pyre when cremating the dead.
Health Benefits of Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil and the paste of sandalwood is used in medicines,
Skin and beauty treatments and numerous industrial products including mouth fresheners, edibles, incense sticks, room fresheners,
Deodorants, perfumes, soaps, lotions, and creams. It has some really remarkable medicinal properties, which we will explore in greater detail below.
Anti
Septic: The essential oil of sandalwood is very good as an anti
Septic agent. It is safe for both internal and external applications. When ingested, it helps to protect internal
Wounds and
Ulcers from
Infections. Similarly, when applied to the
Skin, it protects
Wounds,
Sores,
Boils, and pimples from developing
Infections or from becoming
Septic.
Anti-inflammatory: Both sandalwood paste and its essential oil are very effective as
Anti-inflammatory agents. They have a nice cooling effect and they provide relief from all types of
Inflammation in the brain,
Digestive,
Nervous, circulatory, and excretory systems that result from
Infections,
Fever, side effects of
Antibiotics,
Poisoning,
Insect Bites, or
Wounds. Sandalwood essential oil is particularly beneficial in cases of
Nervous and circulatory
Inflammations.
Antispasmodic: Being both relaxant and
Sedative in nature, this oil works great against
Spasms. It relaxes
Nerves,
Muscles and
Blood vessels, thereby ending
Spasms and contractions. Thus, it is helpful in treating problems associated with
Spasms, such as
Cramps, aches, and
Coughs.
Astringent: Although it is very mild, this essential oil has some
Astringent properties which induce contractions in the
Gums,
Muscles, and
Skin. This proves beneficial in terms of strengthening the hold of
Gums on the teeth, the strengthening of
Muscles, and tightening of the
Skin.
Cicatrisant: The essential oil of sandalwood soothes the
Skin and helps
Scars and spots to heal much faster. It is a very old practice to use the paste of sandalwood as a
Skin pack. The same effect can be obtained from using this essential oil. This oil is now extensively used in
Skin care soaps, lotions, and creams.
Carminative: The Essential oil of sandalwood, being relaxant in nature, induces
Relaxation in the
Intestines and abdominal
Muscles, thereby facilitating the removal of gases. Also, it prevents excess gases from forming.
Diuretic: Due to its relaxing and
Anti-inflammatory properties, it soothes
Inflammation in the
Urinary system and induces
Relaxation, thereby promoting the easy passage of urine. It also increases the frequency and quantity of urination. This helps in treating
Infections and
Inflammation in the
Urinary system because it flushes out dangerous
Toxins through the urine.
Disinfectant: It is the
Disinfectant property of sandalwood essential oil that justifies its wide use in religious ceremonies and cosmetics. Its fragrance keeps away microbes and small
Insects, which is why it is extensively used in incense sticks, sprays, fumigants and evaporators to disinfect large areas. Moreover, this oil can be mixed with bathing water or other lotions or oils to apply on the
Skin and
Wounds to ensure their protection from
Infections.
This oil can also be safely taken with milk to cure internal
Infections, such as those of the throat,
Esophagus,
Stomach,
Intestines, and excretory tracts.
Emollient: Sandalwood Oil soothes the
Skin, relieves it from
Inflammation and irritation, cures
Infections and keeps you feeling fresh and cool.
Expectorant: Sandal Wood Essential Oil behaves as an
Expectorant and is particularly effective in treating
Coughs. It also fights the viral
Infections which initially cause the
Coughing, cold, flu,
Mumps, or any other illness.
Antiphlogistic: As mentioned above, sandalwood oil has antiphlogistic properties and gives relief from
Inflammation resulting from
Fever and viral
Infections.
Hypotensive: This is a very useful property of sandalwood essential oil. It can be taken with milk or even water to reduce
Blood Pressure in patients suffering from
Hypertension. The paste of sandalwood has the same effect when topically applied to various parts of the body.
Memory Booster: It improves
Memory and stimulates your
Concentration power. It also keeps the brain cool and relaxed and saves you from undue
Stress and
Anxiety.
Sedative: This oil sedates
Inflammation,
Anxiety, fear,
Stress, and restlessness. Furthermore, it induces
Relaxation, calmness,
Concentration, inner vision, and positive thoughts.
Tonic: This oil can be a very good health
Tonic for anyone, especially for growing children. Since it is soothing on the
Stomach and the
Digestive, circulatory and
Nervous systems, it helps these systems function in harmony and without any abnormalities.
Other Benefits: Some people use sandalwood essential oil as a
Deodorant to relieve body odor.
A Few Words of Caution
No risks have been associated with sandalwood essential oil, except that it is recommended not to be used raw on the
Skin. For application on the
Skin, it should be mixed with some type of carrier oil.
Blending
Bergamot, Black pepper, Geranium, Lavender, Myrrh, Rose, Vetiver and Ylang-Ylang blend very nicely with sandalwood essential oil for
Aromatherapy use.
References
1. http://www.fao.org/docrep/v5350e/v5350e08.htm
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10548401
3. https://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-2006-941544
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/sandalwood-essential-oil.html
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Sandalwood
Aromatherapy Benefits
Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: You can use sandalwood on all
Hair and
Skin types, although it's especially useful for mature, dry,
Acne-prone, or
Chapped Skin. The essential oil may also help relieve
Depression,
Anxiety,
Stress, or
Insomnia and promotes spiritual practices,
Relaxation, openness, and becoming grounded.
Aromatherapy for Dummies: Sandalwood is suitable for all
Skin types and may help repair
Skin damage. The scent is an
Aphrodisiac. A sandalwood syrup or
Chest balm can help relieve persistent
Coughs or
Sore throat.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood can help relieve
Coughs,
Sore throat,
Swelling,
Scarring,
Insomnia,
Anxiety,
Nervous tension, exhaustion, and
Depression.
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Sandalwood is useful for
Skin care,
Nausea,
Cough,
Laryngitis,
Sore throat,
Insomnia,
Nervous tension,
Depression, and
Stress-related complaints.
Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: Traditional Chinese Medicine considers sandalwood cool and decongesting, suitable for hot, inflammatory, and
Catarrhal problems. This essential oil is excellent for the
Skin, especially dryness, irritation, itching, and
Inflammation. The oil can also help relieve hot, agitated emotional states that lead to
Headache,
Insomnia, and
Nervous exhaustion. Because sandalwood can clarify and still the mind, it's useful for
Meditation, prayer, and spiritual practice.
Subtle
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood is a
Meditation and visualization aid that quiets mental chatter. The essential oil is also useful for healing and has protective qualities. "One of [the oil's] greatest virtues lies in linking the Base with the Crown
Chakra."
The Essential Guide to
Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing: Sandalwood induces a calm and quiet mind. The oil is useful for
Meditation and to help align mental processes toward self-improvement, self-actualization, and self-acceptance. This essential oil also helps align you with compassion, inner peace, tolerance, and love.
Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Sandalwood grounds, calms, comforts, and supports healing on all levels. The oil is especially useful for the seventh (
Chakra) to encourage states of higher consciousness and spiritual development.
Sandalwood Essential Oil Uses
"Use Sandalwood essential oil to enhance your
Meditation and to open your solar plexus
Chakra which connects you to the cosmic desire to manifest your soul's life purpose and ensures a strong feeling of self worth, empowerment and spiritual dominion," according to Essential Oils For Immunity by
Aromatherapist KG Stiles.
Aphrodisiac Blend
Diffuse this blend or add it to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil for a massage.
1 drop sandalwood
1 drop patchouli essential oil
1 drop jasmine oil
Source: Astrological
Aromatherapy
Dry Skin Moisturizer
Here's facial
Moisturizer for
Dry Skin:
1/4 cup (2 ounces) organic unscented lotion
10 drops sandalwood essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
One 2-ounce glass or PET plastic jar with a lid
Glass stirring rod or spoon handle
Clean jar and stirring implement.
Fill empty jar with unscented lotion.
Add essential oils to lotion. Stir for at least one minute.
Use as desired.
Source: Essential Living
Spritz For Brittle
Hair
Place the following ingredients in a glass mister bottle:
2 ounces (1/4 cup) distilled water
10 drops argan oil
20 drops sandalwood essential oil
Shake well and let set for a day before using. Shake well before each use and spray on
Hair (wet or dry) up to three times a day.
Source: Essential Oils: Natural Remedies
Chest and
Throat Rub
Make a rub to use for
Coughs or
Sore throats and to help ease breathing.
5 drops sandalwood
3 drops lavender essential oil
7 drops frankincense essential oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil
Blend ingredients. Store in small, dark glass container. Massage the oil blend into
Chest, throat, and upper back as needed.
Source: Essential Oils: All-Natural Remedies
Homemade Men�s Cologne
Many people consider sandalwood to have a "masculine" scent. You can use the essential oil in a homemade
Deodorant for men. Or make a cologne, such as this one:
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
3 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil
1 cup 70 percent alcohol or vodka
Glass roll-on tube or glass cologne spray bottle
Blend the ingredients and store in the tube or bottle. Use the cologne as desired.
Source: Essential Oils Guide by Dr. Axe
https://www.
Aromatherapyandmassage.com/sandalwood-essential-oil.html