Sandalwood essential oil benefits are vast and include most notably sacred uses and skincare applications. Many of us discover sandalwood essential oil early on in the aromatherapy journey.
Sandalwood has a beautiful and captivating fragrance, that is warm, welcoming, subtle and sensual. So many people have loved sandalwood through the years that it has a winding history of passion, over farming, and rebirth.
At the heart of the sandalwood story are sustainability issues serious enough that growers and consumers alike must learn from this remarkable tree and take heed to treat our natural resources with reverence and planning so that we do not lose them. Let’s dive into the story of sandalwood and how you can be a more informed consumer.
Sandalwood comes from the Santalum genus of tree. It grows in regions of Asia, Australia, and islands of the South Pacific. There are many different species of sandalwood tree, but only a few of these are used for the essential oil. East Indian sandalwood, Santalum album, is known for its quality and incredible scent profile. Australian sandalwood, santalum spicatum has become a regular go-to essential oil for many suppliers.
Sandalwood trees are parasitic to the roots of other trees. They take water and nutrients from “host trees”. Often in a sandalwood plantation, the sandalwood trees are planted in a row beside a different species of tree that they can use as their “food”. It is recommended to plant 3 host trees for each sandalwood tree for a successful harvest of sandalwood.
How Do We Get Sandalwood Essential Oil
Depending on the species of tree, sandalwood can take 30 – 60 years to mature before it can be used for essential oil. The oil begins to develop at the root level and travels upwards in the tree. It is said that the older the tree, the better the oil as the chemical components that we get in the oil change over this maturation time.
Sandalwood trees are uprooted for oil production. The essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the heartwood (centre) of the sandalwood tree. Many species of sandalwood are endangered due to over farming and habitat loss. It is important for consumers to know where their sandalwood oil is coming from and if it is handled sustainably.
Sandalwood and Spirituality
Sandalwood’s history dates back 4000 years. It has traditionally been used in incense, solid perfumes, sacred sculptures, and healing remedies.
Sandalwood has been known for its spiritual applications. It has been used in embalming, and rituals for the recently deceased. Buddhists temples use sandalwood incense as a divine odour, which purifies and sanctifies the space, and brings about mindfulness. Sandalwood creates peace and serenity, and reduces stress and anxiety. Many cultures have used it with meditation and continue to do so.
Sandalwood’s applications in modern times also includes cosmetics such as soaps and perfumes, and various wooden commodities.
Sandalwood and Sustainability
Due to aggressive harvesting, many sandalwood species are now endangered. In fact, the population of many sandalwood species is seen as decreasing globally. Sandalwood has become one of the most expensive essential oils available with prices in the range of $100 CAD or more for a 15ml bottle. Suppliers also provide sandalwood essential oil diluted in a carrier to help with sustainability and to bring this cost down. Be sure to read the label when purchasing sandalwood so that you know what you are getting.
Today, sandalwood is used mostly for its oil, providing a beautiful addition to perfumes and healing benefits in aromatherapy formulations. The main chemical component in sandalwood essential oil is santalol, which helps to provide sandalwood with its signature scent.
If you are interested in sandalwood due to its scent, you may want to consider Amyris as a substitute. Also known as West Indian Sandalwood, amyris essential oil can be used in many of the same ways as sandalwood and the scent is very similar.
Sandalwood Essential Oil Benefits
Sandalwood offers many benefits. Let’s explore a few effective ways to use sandalwood for maximum benefit.
Meditation – Sandalwood is a grounding oil, perfect for your meditation practice. It is said to quiet mental chatter, while it encourages mindfulness and peace.
Mental health – Sandalwood can provide emotionally balancing benefits, uplifting the mood while providing a sense of calm.
Skin care – Sandalwood is soothing to the skin and can be suitable for all skin types but particularly sensitive skin. It has a balancing effect on our natural sebum. Those with dry, red, irritated skin may find relief with sandalwood. It is antifungal and can be added to an essential oil blend to calm the effects of another oil.
Chakra work – Sandalwood essential oil can be used for clearing and activating any of the chakras. It is a ground oil, connecting us to our sense of self confidence, sensuality, and spiritual nature. It touches our heart, quiets the mind and encourages a higher consciousness.
Sensuality – Sandalwood essential oil provides many benefits while at the same time adding sensuality to the blend. I like to keep the essential oils that I blend with sandalwood to a minimum in order to maximize its scent.
Sandalwood Personal Perfume
In my experience, sandalwood is a sacred essential oil that should be used with appreciation and reverence. Use it sparingly. Here is my favourite personal recipe, a versatile personal perfume, which you can use for meditation, calming the spirit within, to uplift your mood, or get in the mood.
