What is Sandalwood ?

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Sandalwood can reach 33 to 66 feet in height.

Sandalwood is semi-parasite. That means that sandalwood can survive on its own, but it prefers to "steal" nutrients from the roots of nearby plants by using tube-like structures (modified roots) called haustoria. By doing so, sandalwood exhausts resources of the host plant and prevents its normal growth.

Sandalwood has large, leathery leaves, which resemble the leaves of laurel.

Sandalwood produces red flowers with 4 petals. Flowers are arranged in clusters at the end of the branches. They contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers).

Sandalwood blooms all year round. Flowers attract honey bees and ants, which are responsible for the pollination of these plants.

Fruit of sandalwood is round shaped and pea-sized. It contains one black seed.

Sandalwood is best known by its beautiful scent. Intensity of scent of sandalwood depends on the type of soil. Essential oils of best quality are produced on the very poor soil.

Sandalwood is ready for the harvest at the age of 30 to 60 years. Trees can be left in the wild during a period of couple of months (white termites remove bark and sapwood and leave heartwood, basic source of essential oils), or it can be processed mechanically.

Essential oils of sandalwood have antispasmodic (relieve spasm of muscles), antibacterial (kill bacteria) and antiviral (kill viruses) properties.

Sandalwood is used in treatment of inflammation, skin disorders, rashes, cough, fever, flu, hypertension and restlessness. Essential oils are used to improve functioning of liver, heart and stomach and to strengthen the gums of teeth and muscles.

Essential oils of sandalwood are used in the industry of perfumes, soaps and lotions. Sandalwood water ("leftover" of steam distillation) is used in the manufacture of aftershaves.

Pieces of sandalwood can be used as ingredient of chewing tobacco.

Ground sandalwood is often used for the preparation of incense sticks.

Hardwood of sandalwood was used for building the temples and statues of Hindu gods and elephants in India. Due to belief that sandalwood plays role in reincarnation, essential oils are often used in the funeral rituals and for embalming.

Sandalwood can survive more than 80 years in the wild.

Sandalwood naturally contains aromatherapy effects and the extracted oil has anti-bacterial properties. The oil benefits skin as well as hair.

Sandalwood as an ingredient in soap helps in exfoliating dirt-impurities and clogged pores. It brightens complexion, lightens fine lines and rejuvenates skin cells for a soft and glowing skin. Sandalwood's distinctive soft, smooth and creamy scent, gives the soap a similar texture and which makes the skin smooth, soft and supple.

Sandalwood in massage oils works great for easing stress. It instantly energises and soothes the body and mind, and works as a great moisturiser. It provides antibacterial protection to the skin and helps it become shiny, hydrated, blemish-free and beautiful. A few drops of this oil into warm bath tub water can be instantly refreshing. Mixing it with your favourite bath salts to scrub the skin will make a great difference, making it look and feel healthier.

Sandalwood protects the hair from damage and hydrates it from within. When used as a shampoo bar, it should be lathered thoroughly onto hair and scalp with finger tips on dampened hair. It should be used twice or thrice a week to make the hair lustrous and bring back the life into them.

Sandalwood also has anti-tanning properties which help your skin look fresh. Bio Sandalwood 50+ SPF sunscreen lotion can protect the skin against probable sunburns and provide a significant natural defence against UV radiation.

What exactly is the perfume ingredient sandalwood? In this article, we explain where this popular fragrance ingredient comes from, what it smells like and we share actual perfumes that contain sandalwood.

Sandalwood oil is used widely as a base note in modern perfumery and cosmetic production. The oil is highly valued for its deep, woody aroma. The oil is generally steam distilled from the heartwood and roots of the tree genus Santalum album, which can retain their distinctive fragrance for decades.

The main source of true sandalwood oil, Santalum album, is an over-harvested, slow-growing protected species, and demand for it cannot be met. As a result, many species of plants within the genus Santalum (there are more than nineteen) are traded as "sandalwood". The Santalum tree is primarily grown in India but can be found in over 10 distinct regions of the world.

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood aroma. It has a sweet, fresh chypre odor, which is widely employed in the fragrance industry as a base note. It has excellent blending and harmonizing qualities and is valued as a fixative ingredient for other perfume ingredients.