Scientific name: Santalum album

Common name: Sandalwood

Sanskrit name: Chandana

Family: Santalaceae

Plant part used: Heartwood and volatile oil

Color: Reddish brown viscous liquid

Odor: Characteristic sweet, mellow

Specific Gravity: 0.964 - 0.991 gm/ml

Ingredients by GCMS: Alpha sanatlene, beta santalene, alpha and beta santalol, bergamotol, lenceol.

General Description: Sandalwood is a small hemi-parasitic tree that grows primarily in semi-arid areas from India to the South Pacific and the northern coast of Australia. The wood of its stem, which grows from 20 to 30 feet high, is heavy and straight-grained and varies in color from white when young to yellow or orange when older. Its oval leaves are covered with a whitish bloom; its small flowers, varying in color, grow in numerous cymes.

Traditional uses: Acne, Depression, Diarrhea, Nervous System / Nervous Disorders, Varicose Veins / Varicosities, Eczema (Dermatitis), Scabies, Bronchitis, Dermatitis, Laryngitis, Lice.

Phytochemistry: ±-santalol min. 50%, alpha-santalol min. 19-30%, ± and beta-santalenes appx 2-10%. As the tree matures, the santalol levels increase. These small molecules possess antibacterial and sedative properties. Synthetic sandalwood does not contain the active ingredients.

There may also be trace amounts of carboxylic acid, borneol, santalone, furfurol and tersantalal, among others.

Main Actions: Alterative, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, sedative, stimulant.

Main Uses:
Sandalwood is used for:
  1. The medicinal properties of sandalwood reside in the oil, which can be pressed from the wood or extracted with alcohol or water. The antiseptic and disinfectant properties of this oil are similar to those of cubeb oil. The oil can also be used for bronchitis and for inflammation in mucous tissue. A decoction of the wood may be helpful for indigestion and fever and externally for skin problems, especially those of bacterial origin.

 2. Sandalwood cools and calms the entire body and mind. It affects the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. It relieves fever, thirst, burning sensation and stops sweating. It is good for fever or overexposure to the sun.

 3. Sandalwood is good for most of inflammatory conditions and for cleansing the blood. The oil or paste is useful for most infectious sores or ulcers if applied externally.

 4. Sandalwood helps the awakening of intelligence. It also aids in the transmutation of sexual energy.

Specifications :