Buddha Wood Essential Oil (Eremophila mitchellii)

Overview

Buddha Wood may also be referred to as Buddha Wood Essential Oil, Eremophila Mitchellii Wood Oil, Australian Desert Rosewood, Buddah, Buddha, Budtha, Sandalwood, Native Sandalwood, False Sandalwood, Bastard Sandalwood, Sandalbox and Rosewood Balvory. It is typically processed in Eastern Australia using steam, hydro distillation, or co2 select extraction as a method for extracting oil from the wood and bark.

Summary

Buddha Wood Oil is processed from the heartwood and bark of the Eremophila mitchellii, a small tree native to the grazing land of eastern Australia. Also known as Australian Desert Rosewood, this sturdy shrub was traditionally used by the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia. With its deep, woody aroma, thick, viscous texture, and a deep amber hue, Buddha Wood Essential Oil is often compared with the more common Sandalwood Oil, although the chemistry and aroma differ entirely.

The wood is known for its fragrant aroma when burned and has been used to scent incense over the centuries. The oil is harvested from both the wood and bark.

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Cool Earthy Resinous Soft Woody

  • Common Name(s): Buddha Wood Essential Oil, Eremophila Mitchellii Wood Oil, Australian Desert Rosewood, Buddah, Buddha, Budtha, Sandalwood, Native Sandalwood, False Sandalwood, Bastard Sandalwood, Sandalbox and Rosewood Balvory
  • Synonyms(s) for Eremophila mitchellii: Bondtia mitchellii, Pholidia mitchellii

  • Botanical Family: Scrophulariaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Eremophila
  • Chemical Family: Ketones, Sesquiterpenes, Sesquiterpenols
  • Major Compounds: 21.5% eremophilone, 14.8% hydroxyl dihydroxy eremophilone and 33% hydroxyl eremophilone
  • Perfumery Note: Middle/Base
  • Consistency: Viscous or even solid
  • Aroma chemistry: The main components od Buddha Wood essential oil are three closely related sesquiterpene ketones - eremophilone; 2-hydroxyeremophilone; 2-hydroxy-2-dihydroeremophilone - none of which have ever before been discovered in nature. Chemicially related to Agar Wood. Sesquiterpene ketones are known to be analgesic and are useful for relief of sore muscles or joints. Buddha Wood is about 14% Sesquiterepenes and about 11% Sesquiterpenols.
  • Color: Deep Amber Hue
  • Countries of Production: Eastern Australia
  • Indigenous Country: Australia
  • Cultivation: Wild Harvested
  • Processing Methods: Steam, Hydro Distillation, or CO2 Select Extraction
  • Part Typically Used: Wood and Bark
  • Shelf Life: 5-7 years
  • Ethically and sustainably sourced Ethically and sustainably sourced
  • Organic Organic
  • Wild Harvested Wild Harvested
  • Vegan Vegan
  • Not Pregnancy Safe Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing
  • Not Child Safe Not recommend or safe for children

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Cuts Fleas ( Dogs ) Insect Repellents Muscular aches and pains Muscular Inflammation Stress

Therapeutic Benefits of Buddha Wood:

Analgesic Anti-anxiety Anti-depressant Anti-infectious Anti-inflammatory Calming Cooling Disinfectant Immune support Insect Repellent Relaxant Sedative

Other Uses for Buddha Wood:

There have been phytochemical investigations of different Eremophila species as a cardiotonic, potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-viral agent.

Aromatherapy Cosmetics Fragrance Incense Massage Natural Perfumery Personal Care Skin Care

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Buddha Wood:

It is important to note that all CO2 oils are extremely concentrated by nature. They should not be evaluated in this state unless you are accustomed to the undiluted fragrance. For those trying CO2 oils for the first time, we strongly recommend they be evaluated in dilution. Otherwise, the complexity of the fragrance, particularly the rare and exotic notes, become lost.

Safety Precautions for Buddha Wood:

According to Tisserand & Young, no known safety issues are known.

Contraindications of Buddha Wood:

The unique chemical constituent profile of Buddha Wood shows it is high (nearly 100%) in sesquiterpene ketones and normally 30–60% eremophilon. Due to the high ketone content it should be treated with respect and not used on a daily basis for pain relief and it should not be ingested.

Botany

Botanical Description of Buddha Wood:

This evergreen grows as a flowering bush or small tree with a light bark, mainly found in New South Wales and Queensland. Buddha wood is a shrub/small tree native to Australia, and is known commonly as false sandalwood or desert rosewood.  it grows as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree up to 30ft in height. The leaves are linear to linear-lancelote. It has white (occasionally pale pinkish-mauve) flowers.

History

History of Buddha Wood:

Used by Aboriginals for infections, cuts and abrasions.

Traditional Folklore

Traditional Folklore of Buddha Wood:

There are recordings of indigenous people using this plant for its antibacterial qualities and to treat cuts and sores. In the recent past, this tree was wild harvested as a substitute for Sandalwood, however, there is a fair difference between the aromas of Buddha wood & Sandalwood. The tree was also harvested and used for fence posts. Around 1925, an Australian chemist and Australian essential oil pioneer first tested the oil and noted its unique properties and recommended it as a perfume fixative.

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities