Sandalwood essential oil is a luxurious and costly oil, but it is a worthwhile investment due to its wonderful properties. It has a long history of use as a traditional medicine in the Indian healing science known as Ayurveda.
Sandalwood oil comes from the wood and roots of Santalum trees. Many essential oils have been used for thousands of years in several cultures for medicinal and wellness purposes. Today, they are used in your home during the day or after a hard day’s work. As you learn more about essential oils, you may see that there are lots of approaches to incorporate essential oils and aromatherapy into your life.
Using essential oils can be useful for you and your family, though they shouldn’t be used without guidance and proper research.
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This article serves to introduce you to the uses and benefits of Sandalwood essential oil (Santalum album), it’s history and precautions, so you can go ahead with confidence and incorporate Sandalwood into your essential oils routine.
What Is Sandalwood Essential Oil?
Sandalwood essential oil is distilled from various species of sandalwood trees. Sandalwood trees need to be a minimum of 15 years old in order to achieve an extraction with high levels of oils (source).
The entire trees, including stump and roots, are used in order to maximize the yields of oil, rather than leaving the stump and roots in the ground unused. The wood from stump and roots also contain high levels of sandalwood oil.
The texture of Sandalwood oil is very thick and comes out of the bottle slowly. Sandalwood is one of the most famous and beneficial essential oils in the world, but also one of the most expensive.
Sandalwood Indian vs. Australian Sandalwood
There are two species of Sandalwood trees, each belonging to a different geographic region:
- Santalum album, the East Indian Sandalwood tree
- Santalum spicatum, the Australian Sandalwood tree
The spiking popularity of Sandalwood essential oil has caused over-harvesting of Indian Sandalwood. Australian Sandalwood is an ecologically responsible alternative to traditional Indian Sandalwood, being very similar aromatically and therapeutically (source).
Why Sandalwood Essential Oil Is Expensive
Sandalwood oil is quite pricey and becoming rare. If you see Sandalwood essential oil being sold at a bargain price, please take a second look. Some reputable essential oil brands will sell Sandalwood at 10% dilution, meaning the bottle of Sandalwood oil you buy actually only contains 10% Sandalwood and 90% carrier oil (Fractionated Coconut Oil is most commonly used).
Using Sandalwood essential oil mixed with FCO will clog the diffuser mechanism and possibly damage the finely vibrating ultrasonic disc that your diffuser uses to move the water mist through the air. You don’t want to be using carrier oils, or essential oil blends stretched with carrier oils, in your diffuser.
If your Sandalwood is 100% pure, it’ll likely be quite expensive, or come in smaller bottle sizes such as 5ml or 10ml maximum. For exapmle, this 5mL bottle of Australian Sandalwood from Plant Therapy costs $34.95.
For the best results, purchase the maximum quality oils you can possibly find.
What does Sandalwood Smell Like?
Use essential oils in a steam inhalation bath.
Sandalwood essential oil has a deeply fibrous, wooden scent that’s sweet and light at the same time. It does not smell harsh, rather it’s warm and comforting, grounding and soothing, all the way also smelling light and inspiring. It is actually quite an extraordinary smell combination!
Depending on the quality of your Sandalwood oil, there will be differences in scent. Any oils’ exact profile will depend on multiple natural factors such as season of harvesting, soil conditions, weather conditions of that exact growing season, etc. If you shop at a trusted essential oil brand, preferred sourcing and production techniques should be in place and you can shop with confidence.
7 Uses of Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is a favorite essential oil because of its variety of uses and luxurious smell. Many individuals adore the mellow scent of Sandalwood, therefore it’s no surprise that it is a favorite staple of massage therapists everywhere. Sandalwood essential oil offers you a moment of peace and harmony when you’re managing the challenges of normal life and promotes a feeling of overall well-being whilst improving mental wellness.
Here’s how you can use Sandalwood essential oil:
1. For Acne
Using sandalwood oil for acne is quite popular. One of Sandalwood’s natural benefits is its ability to help with smooth, healthy-looking skin. It aids in reducing the appearance of skin imperfections – so treating acne with Sandalwood is no exception.
To try Sandalwood for your acne problems or skin blemishes, create your own spa-like experience at home by doing a steam inhalation bath with Sandalwood. Fill a bowl with steaming hot water, add 2-5 drops of Sandalwood essential oil, hold your face as close to the bowl as you comfortably can, and cover yourself with a towel to keep the steam in. And then breathe, relax and enjoy!
NOTE: Sandalwood oil is generally considered to be hypoallergenic to most people but in rare cases, there are reported side effects to people with super sensitive skin. Make sure you do a patch test just in case!
2. For Hair and Scalp
Along with severe benefits for skin and also skin tone, Sandalwood oil additionally holds benefits for your hair. If you wish to make use of Sandalwood essential oil on your hair, simply use a couple of drops of the oil on damp hair. Sandalwood will provide your hair added shine by restoring wetness to your hairs. A very easy means to work Sandalwood right into your normal hair care routine is to add a couple of drops to your day-to-day hair shampoo or conditioner. More essential oils for hair growth tips here.
3. For A Smooth Shave
Sandalwood essential oil can also contribute to a smooth, comfortable shave. Combining this soothing oil with shea butter and also coconut oil will certainly leave your skin smooth and also hydrated after shaving. It will also help you with a close shave every time. Perfect for males and females, this soothing concoction is quite easy to put together at home.
4. In Ayurveda Medicine
Sandalwood is often used for meditation, prayer, or other spiritual rituals and is quite popularly employed for Ayurvedic purposes. The Indian Sandalwood is among the most sacred herbs of Ayurveda. Want to boost your wealth attraction and consciousness for prosperity? Why not try to mix a Sandalwood synergy blend and you may begin to notice a difference.
5. In Perfumery
Sandalwood is a beautiful, luxurious essential oil.
Yellow Sandalwood has a distinct sweet and woodsy aroma that is pleasing to many noses! It has long been used in perfumery and the beauty industry. A small amount of Sandalwood will go a long way, so don’t use too much or you’ll create an overpowering scent.
6. As an Aphrodisiac
Some oils are known to boost libido and enhance performance for both men and women – Sandalwood is one of those oils. It is a well-known aphrodisiac. Utilizing a diffuser in aromatherapy is a remarkable approach to profit from the aroma of essential oils. Turn it on in your bedroom at night and see what happens! The oil should be pure in order to be effective. Find more romantic diffuser blends here.
7. For Grounding and Relaxation
Sandalwood has grounding properties, so is also one of the best solutions to treat stress and anxiety. The oil is famous for its relaxing and calming effect which is regarded as a nervous system restorative. Massage the mixture in your scalp (mixed with some carrier oil), onto the temples of your head. Sandalwood can also be used to create a relaxing environment for bedtime.
Essential oils are highly personal choices. Identifying the most effective essential oil to use is a matter of discovering the oil that is most suitable for the symptoms, demands, and senses of the individual ailing from stress or anxiety.
NOTE: There are various methods on how to use essential oils, based on the purpose behind using them. When using essential oils, it’s very important to dilute them.
In Summary
Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine which uses plant materials, known as essential oils, with the intention of altering an individual’s mood and wellness. It doesn’t cure major illnesses, but aromatherapy is effective at alleviating many of the discomforts associated with being and feeling ill. Sandalwood is one of the most expensive essential oils around, but also one of the most versatile.
Here are a few lovely essential oil combos for aromatherapy:
- Rose + Sandalwood for a romantic vibe.
- Frankincense + Sandalwood for harmony.
- Ylang Ylang + Sandalwood for stress relief.
Depending on what type of essential oils you use, the list of uses and combinations to eliminate stress and anxiety are endless! Today, they are still used in much the same way. If you’re going to try out aromatherapy, Sandalwood should definitely be among the oils in your medicine cabinet. If you don’t like the ideas for application on your skin, use an essential oil diffuser and disperse the beautiful aroma into your room.
As you’ll come to learn, there are lots of approaches to incorporate essential oils and aromatherapy in your life.
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