Sandalwood (antalum album)
Location: Sandalwood essential oil is produced in India and is now a monopoly of the Indian government.
Extraction: Steam distilled from the heartwood.
Colour and Odour: The essential oil is pale yellow in colour and has a very pleasant, sweet, woody base note with a delicate, spicy, oriental undertone.
Description: The sandalwood tree is a small slow growing evergreen, reaching about 6-9 metres in about 20-30 years in the forests in India. It is a parasitic, growing upon other trees. Only very mature trees are cut down; the logs are then left for termites to remove the sapwood, leaving the fragrant heartwood.
Background: Sandalwood has a long history of use in India, being mentioned in the earliest medical texts. It was also widely used as incense in religious ceremonies; the wood would be burned at funerals as it was believed to help free the soul. It is an important perfume and cosmetic ingredient. As a perfume, sandalwood is very long lasting and is used as a fixative for other perfume ingredients. A variety of wooden articles and furniture are made from the fragrant heartwood. The Chinese import large quantities of sandalwood for medicinal use.
Properties: Tonic, emollient, sedative, anti-inflammatory, expectorant.
Uses:
Immune System-Can help stimulate the spleen, promotes white blood cell production and can strengthen the immune system against infection.
Skin- Good for all skin types, especially dry and dehydrated skin.
Emotion-Sweet, warm and rich, sandalwood is seductive and a true aphrodisiac. It helps dispel anxiety and depression.
