An essential oil obtained from steam-distilling chips and billets from the heartwood of the Santalum album tree, sandalwood oil is popularly used in perfumery, cosmetics and sacred unguents (soothing or healing salve). But beyond these practical uses are the time-tested calming and therapeutic properties for which it is used in aromatherapy. Learn more about the uses and benefits of sandalwood oil in this article.

What Is Sandalwood Oil?

Sandalwood essential oil is derived from the heartwood of the sandalwood, which is a heiparasitic evergreen that grows by joining the root system of other trees. The tree belongs to the Santalaceae family and is also known as East Indian sandalwood.

Sandalwood oil has been used since over 4,000 years ago, making it among the oldest-known materials used for its exotic scent. It has found its way into fragrances, cosmetics and personal care products and meditative/spiritual practices. This essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of pieces of wood from matured sandalwood trees that are 40 to 80 years old. Eighty years is preferred because, the older the tree, the more oil available and the stronger the aroma.

The oil has a woody, exotic smell that's subtle and lingering. Its color ranges from pale yellow to pale gold. Although expensive, it has many wonderful characteristics that make it useful and beneficial for health and wellness. For one, sandalwood oil creates a calming, harmonizing effect for the mind, helping reduce tension and confusion. It is also traditionally used in Ayurveda, India's holistic health system, for the treatment somatic and mental disorders.

Uses of Sandalwood Oil

As early as 4,000 years back, sandalwood had already been used, with caravans carrying the wood to places like Egypt, Greece and Rome. Many temples were built from it, while the Egyptians used the oil in embalming.

Sandalwood used to be made into furniture and caskets, but as the tree has become nearly extinct, it is only used today for distilling the oil. At present, sandalwood oil is widely utilized for its calming and relaxing effects. It is in demand as incense and is recommended in Swahra yoga for "the union of the senses" and in Tantric yoga for awakening sexual energy. It can be used for depression, daily stress and states of anxiety, fear or chronic illness.

This essential oil is well-regarded in skincare, as it tones and relieves itching, inflammation and dehydrated skin. Rashes, scar tissue, eczema, psoriasis, acne and dandruff are just some of the issues it can assist with.

The Living Earth Beauty blog states that apart from topical application, you can also steam-inhale sandalwood oil: Fill a large bowl with steaming water, cover your face and head with a towel and breathe. This can be a good remedy for respiratory concerns and skin conditions that emerge on the face. You can also dry-condition with the oil, adding a few drops to your dry hair after a shower or during the day to restore moisture.

Remember, though, that I do not recommend using sandalwood essential oil raw on your skin. Mix it with some type of carrier oil, such as jojoba. The other functions of sandalwood oil include use in:

A study shows, too, that sandalwood oil could be an effective chemopreventive agent against chemically induced skin cancer in animal models.

Composition of Sandalwood Oil

At least 80 to 90 percent of sandalwood essential oil is composed of sesquiterpenic alcohols, most of which are two closely related molecules: alpha-santalol (50 to 60 percent) and beta-santalol (20 to 25 percent).

These molecules are the source of its rich fragrance. The main chemical components are santalol, santyl acetate and santalene.

Benefits of Sandalwood Oil

Organic Facts provides a rundown of sandalwood benefits for health and wellness. Here's a partial list:

How to Make Sandalwood Oil

To make sandalwood oil, billets of wood are chipped and reduced to a powder. Most sandalwood oil today is produced by steam distillation of the powder. The high boiling nature of the oil makes the process rather slow, taking many hours to complete.

The yield of oil is highest in the roots and lowest in chips, which are a mixture of heartwood and sapwood. The oil content of the heartwood varies from tree to tree and is higher for older trees. Light-colored wood yields 3 to 6 percent oil, while dark brown wood yields about 2.5 percent oil. Furthermore, oil from younger trees has a slightly lower santalol content than the mature trees, which makes it ill-advised to harvest at a very young age. A quick recipe for homemade sandalwood oil:

Sandalwood Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup carrier oil (olive or jojoba)
• 1/4 ounce sandalwood powder
• Medium saucepan with lid
• Spoon
• Oven
• Cheesecloth
• Jar with lid

Procedure:

1.Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.Pour 1 cup of the carrier oil into a saucepan and stir in the sandalwood powder.

3.Cover the saucepan and place it in the oven, allowing the sandalwood and oil to cook together for two to four hours. Check frequently and stir to prevent burning.

4.Strain the mixture into a jar using cheesecloth. The oil is ready for use.

According to eHow, the quality of the oil will depend on the quality of the sandalwood powder used. Homemade oils like this one will last approximately six months before their contents start to decompose. So make sure to label your jars with the date they were made. Store them in a cool, dry place as well.

How Does Sandalwood Oil Work?

The benefits of sandalwood oil can be harnessed in different ways. In vapor therapy, it can be used as an aphrodisiac, as well as to help address coughs, bronchitis, chest infections, asthma, insomnia, nervous tension and stress. It can also be blended into a massage oil or added to your bath water. In this form it can assist with bladder infections, chest infections and relaxation, to name a few.

Sandalwood oil can be diluted and used as a gargle if you have a sore or dry throat. You can also use it in a lotion or cream to improve chapped, dry or inflamed skin. It can moisturize and hydrate skin, serving as a wonderful addition in your anti-aging skincare regimen. Essential oils generally blend well with one another, but I believe sandalwood oil is best blended with bergamot, black pepper, geranium, myrrh, rose, lavender, ylang-ylang and vetiver.

Is Sandalwood Oil Safe?

Sandalwood oil is generally safe for use, but there are warnings and precautions. Essential oils are meant for topical use only, so I do not advise ingesting sandalwood oil. When applying it onto skin, dilute it using a carrier oil, soap, lotion or a buffering agent.

Breastfeeding mothers and young children should avoid using sandalwood oil. Additionally, the oil may cause an allergic skin reaction in certain individuals, so it is important to test it on a small area of skin first. Those who suffer from some type of medical condition, such as liver disorder and cancer, should also take extra precaution using the oil in aromatherapy.

Side Effects of Sandalwood Oil

Individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to sandalwood or its constituents should avoid using the oil, as there are reports of sandalwood causing dermatitis and sandalwood oil causing photoallergy. But there are very few reports of sandalwood side effects — of the available literature, there are a few cases of the allergic reactions mentioned above.

Sandalwood can be used to calm and relax pets, but certain oils can be very toxic to cats, so I believe it is necessary to consult your veterinarian first.