Sandalwood Essential Oil (Santalum album)

Overview

Sandalwood may also be referred to as Indian sandalwood. It is typically processed in New Caledonia using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the wood.

Summary

Sandalwood oil comes from the wood of Santalum album trees. It has a woody scent. Its effects are soothing and antiseptic.

Sandalwood Essential Oil is a profoundly versatile essential oil for its applications spiritual and emotional applications as well as its applications in perfumery/fragrancing and skin care.

Sandalwood has been used since ancient times as incense for spiritual applications. Sandalwood Essential Oil is deeply grounding and is useful for chakra work.

Sandalwood Essential Oil
By L. Shyamal - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description: Sandalwood Essential Oil smells rich, deep and sweet yet is delicate, woody and floral.
  • Common Name(s): Indian sandalwood

  • Synonyms(s) for Santalum album: Santalum myrtifolium, Santalum myrtifolium, Santalum ovata

  • Botanical Family: Santalaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Santalum
  • Major Compounds: (Z)-a-Santalol, (Z)-B-Santalol, (Z)-Nuciferol, epi-B-Santalol, (Z)-a-trans-Bergamotol
  • Perfumery Note: Base
  • Consistency: Medium - Thick
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
  • Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
  • Countries of Production: New Caledonia
  • Indigenous Country: southern India and Southeast Asia
  • Cultivation: Unsprayed
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
  • Part Typically Used: Wood
  • Shelf Life: 12 years
  • Conservation Status:  [VU] Vulnerable
    IUCN Red List category abbreviations (version 3.1, 2001)
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Aches Bronchitis Burns Catarrh Chills Coughs Cystitis Diarrhea Frigidity / Impotence Hair : Damaged Insomnia Jetlag Libido Nervous Conditions / Tension Obesity Sinusitis Skin : All types Skin : Dermatitis Skin : Dry Skin : Mature Skin : Oily

Therapeutic Benefits of Sandalwood:

Anti-anxiety Cicatrisant

Other Uses for Sandalwood:

Hair Care

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Sandalwood:

Tisserand and Young indicate that although rare, Sandalwood Oil has the potential to cause adverse skin reactions. They recommend a dermal maximum of 2%. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 418-419.]

Safety Precautions for Sandalwood:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Sagebrush, Big Essential Oil
Sandalwood Essential Oil - New Caledonia