Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Botanical origin and production methods
The variety of Sandalwood Santalum album is native to southern Asia and is found particularly in Mysore, India. The trees are under threat and the production of sandalwood oil is now carefully regulated by the Indian government. Alternative varieties of sandalwood exist such as Santalum spicatum that is grown in Australia and the Pacific Islands but these do not have the same medicinal benefits or, in my opinion, as pleasant a scent as Santalum album.
Sandalwood is a member of the Santalaceae family. The sandalwood tree is a parasitic evergreen that grows to a height of 9 metres. It attaches itself to the roots of other plants including teak, clove, bamboo and the guava tree. The sandalwood tree is only able to procure nutrients from the soil once attached to the roots of another plant. It has leathery leaves and produces small purple flowers. In producing the essential oil the heartwood (inner trunk) is used along with some of the larger roots. Mature trees of 30 – 60 years old are harvested as there is a larger area of heartwood. The trees are harvested by uprooting, not by chopping from the trunk and the Indian government enforces strict rules on the harvesting of sandalwood. They state that the oil must contain a minimum of 90% santalols, and the mature trees are used as a younger tree produces a smaller quantity of oil of an inferior quality (Battaglia, 2003, p.263). The trunks are left to lie on the forest floor until the outer wood had been eaten away by ants and only the heartwood that the ants do not eat remains (Davis, 1995). The heartwood and roots are ground into a course powder and then steam or water-distilled. Whilst the major producer of Sandalwood oil is India, the tree is also native to other tropical regions of Asia such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Taiwan.
Historical and cultural information
As one of oldest known aromatic materials, sandalwood has evidence of usage dating back 4000 years, the oil dating back over 1000 years to its earliest discovered use in Sri Lanka. Sandalwood has a long tradition within the Hindu culture and is also widely used in Buddhism, Brahmin and other religious cultures. It was frequently used in religious ritual as an incense made from the sawdust, oil, gum Arabic and other materials, and to bring on a meditative state, opening the third eye. In Hindu rituals Sandalwood paste is applied to the forehead. It was believed that this enhanced devotion to God (Mojay, 1996). The wood itself was carved to create temples, furniture and religious icons. Indian temples made from Sandalwood are known as “houses of fragrance” (Worwood, 1999). According to Mojay an added benefit of this usage was the wood’s ability to withstand attack by insects (2008). The heartwood was often reserved to be used for furniture or ornamental objects as it is considered one of the finest woods for carving (see Battaglia 2003).
In Hindu tradition Sandalwood was also used in the embalming of the dead as it was believed that it had the power to deliver souls into the next life. In Ceylon, princes have been embalmed with Sandalwood since the 9th century (Worwood, 1999).
Sandalwood was also commonly used in Ayurvedic tradition for its anti-inflammatory, antifebrile and anti-infectious properties. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used in particular for conditions of pitta (Fire).
The Chinese use Sandalwood as a funeral herb and, like in Hindu tradition, use it to embalm the dead (Hill, 1997). Li Zhi Zhen, the sixteenth-century Chinese physician advocated its use in treating cholera. Sandalwood is also burnt as incense in Buddhist shrines where the burning of incense is of great symbolic importance:
The sweetness of the aroma signifies pure moral conduct, delightful in the same way as is the practice of giving up those things which are damaging or hurtful. It metaphorically represents giving, the generosity of correct Buddhist practice, the overcoming of greed and selfishness. As the smoke rises and moves through the air, it can be seen as the Buddhist teachings spreading across the world (Worwood, 1999, p.400).
There is little evidence of the use of Sandalwood in Europe until the 18th century, when it became highly prized. It was used in particular for the treatment of gonorrhoea and urinary tract infections (Battaglia, 2003; Davis, 1995).
Therapeutic Properties and Uses
Sandalwood oil is alcohol rich (80%) containing the sesquiterpenols α-santalol and β-santalol. The oil’s other main component are sesquiterpenes including sanatalene (Caddy, 2000). This chemical make up dictates that sandalwood is an excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and good for long-term terrain support. Sesquiterpenes are Yin in nature and are very good for the skin. Sandalwood is non-irritant, calming in nature and has a pleasing fragrance.
Sandalwood oil is anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, sedative and tonic (Battaglia, 2003, p.264).
According to Battaglia, parmaglogy and clinical studies have found that sandalwood oil has diuretic and urinary antiseptic properties and a sedative effect from the components α–santalol and β–santalol. Dwivedi reported findings that Sandalwood significantly decreases the incidence of papillomas (Dwiveldi et al, 1995).
Sandalwood oil has many therapeutic properties and beneficial effects on several systems within the body, such as the Lymphatic system, Nervous system, Respiratory system, Urinary system and the skin. Holmes suggests the sesquiterpene alcohols in sandalwood oil provide an anti-inflammatory action (Holmes, 1994). Battaglia reports its use in treating venous and lymphatic stasis such as varicose veins and swollen lymph nodes (Battaglia, 2003). Mojay illustrates Sandalwood’s calming and cooling properties, and the benefits of use in treating hot, agitated emotional states (Mojay, 2008). Its soothing effect is also of use in treating respiratory tract infections and is recommended for chronic bronchitis involving a dry cough (Mojay, 2008; Davis, 1995; Lawless, 1992; Holmes, 1989). Sandalwood minimises the risk of infections in the urinary tract by resolving mucous congestion and restoring the mucous membrane (Battaglia, 2003; Holmes 1989). Finally, sandalwood’s use in skin care is very effective in the treatment of dry skin conditions causes by loss of moisture and inflammation. Sandalwood is moisturising, soothing and cooling and is used to relieve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis and in treating oily skin and acne (Battaglia, 2003; Davis, 1995; Lawless, 1992).
Sandalwood is also believed to have aphrodisiac properties, due to its warm, woody and sensual fragrance (Hill, 1997; Davis, 1995).
In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, sandalwood oil regulates and stabilises the Qi and Blood of the Heart, calms the Shen, uplifts the Spirit and enhances sexual desire and is therefore useful in treating depression, nervous debility and overthinking. It also tonifies Spleen-Qi, clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner and restrains infection and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and mucous colitis. Sandalwood clears Phlegm-Heat from the Lungs, tonifies Lung-Yin and restrains infection and aids the treatment of bronchitis and expelling catarrah. Finally, it clears Damp-Heat from the Blood, benefits the skin and relieves pain (Mojay, 2008).
Mentally and emotionally, sandalwood is a calming oil. According to Battaglia, Sandalwood calms an aggressive personality (Battaglia, 2003). It has also been traditionally used as an aid to meditation, as it helps to quiet the mind and instil focus. As such, the use of Sandalwood oil is recommended in the preparation for healing work (Battaglia, 2003; Davis 1991). Worwood recommends using a room method when preparing for meditation as wearing the oil on the skin can be too strong for the subtle work (Worwood, 1995).
The sandalwood personality profile is described as serene, enlightened and balanced (Battaglia, 2003; Worwood, 1995). The oil is used to promote these characteristics along with comfort, sensitivity, trust, sensuality, peacefulness, self-esteem and insight (Worwood, 1995). It is used to counteract the negative influences of attributes such as anxiety, nervous tension, possessiveness, obsessiveness, loneliness, insecurity, cynicism, selfishness, distress, aggressiveness, irritability and dwelling on the past (Worwood, 1995).
Worwood also suggests the use of Sandalwood when working on the Sacral Chakra. The Sacral Chakra is related to the genital system, affects the nerves of the lower legs, ankles, feet, toes, buttocks and hips and is used in treating physical disorders such as poor circulation in lower body, oedema in the legs, and weakness and cramps in the legs (Worwood, 1999).
References
Battaglia, S. (2003) The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Brisbane, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy.
Caddy, R. (2000) Essential Oils in Colour. Kent, Amberwood.
Davis, P. (1991) Subtle Aromatherapy. Essex:, C.W. Daniel.
Davis, P. (1995) Aromatherapy: An A – Z. Essex, C.W. Daniel.
Dwiveldi, C. et al. ‘Chemopreventative effects of sandalwood oil on skin papillomas in mice’. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 6 (4): 399-401.
Hill, C. (1997) The Ancient and Healing Art of Aromatherapy. London: Hamlyn.
Holmes, P. (1994) ‘The Wisdom of Being’. The International Journal of Aromatherapy, 6 (4): 14-17.
Holmes, P. (1989) The Energetics of Western Herbs Vol. II USA, Artemis Press.
Lawless, J. (1992) The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Great Britain, Element Books.
Mojay, G. (1996) Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: A Guide to Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance through Essential Oils. New York, Henry Holt and Company.
Mojay, G. (2008) ITHMA Course Notes.
Worwood, V. (1990) The Fragrant Pharmacy. Reading, Bantam.
Worwood, V. (1995) The Fragrant Mind. Reading, Bantam.
Worwood, V. (1999) The Fragrant Heavens. Reading, Bantam.
