What is Sandalwood ?

The mixture of steam and oil is then cooled and separated so that the essential oil can be collected.

Sandalwood boxes are available in a multitude of designs such as filigree work, hand painted, with Meenakari work, in jail cut pattern and many more.

This process is much longer than any other essential oil's distillation, taking 14 to 36 hours to complete, but generally produces much higher quality oil. Water, or hydro, distillation is the more traditional method of sandalwood extraction which involves soaking the wood in water and then boiling it until the oil is released. This method is not used as much anymore because of the high costs and time associated with heating large quantities of water.

It is used to make chess sets and screens. The latest items to hit the market are watches, rakhis (for the festival of Rakhsha Bandhan), solid tea table trays, sandalwood media consoles, beds in Grecian style and folding screens in hand carved teak wood with a sandalwood finish.

It has a huge demand as prayer beads, incense, aroma oils and artifacts. The market for these products such as folding fans, key chains, pendants, earrings and necklaces is still growing.

Indian sandalwood is very sacred in the Hindu Ayurveda and is known in Sanskrit as vhandana. The wood is used for worshipping the god Shiva, and it is believed that goddess Lakshmi lives in the sandalwood tree.

Sandalwood jewelry can be complimented with casual wear and light ethnic wear such as salwar suits and saris in chiffons and georgettes. They go really well with kurtas and T-shirts in solid colors.

It is non-reactive to sensitive skin and therefore used in beauty treatments. If ingested it is good for internal ulcers and wounds.

The wood of the tree is made into a paste using sandalwood powder, and this paste is integral to rituals and ceremonies, to make religious utensils, to decorate the icons of the deities, and to calm the mind during meditation and prayer. It is also distributed to devotees, who apply it to their foreheads or necks and chests.

It can be cleaned with a wood cleanser. A soft cloth can be used to wipe the object and it should be left to dry. Sandalwood oil can then be brushed on gently and after it has dried, it can be stored in a pouch or box away from heat and moisture.

Preparation of the paste is a duty fit only for the pure, so is entrusted in temples and during ceremonies only to priests.

The furniture is lacquered to protect it from sunlight, dust and moisture. A professional restorer can help in maintaining valued sandalwood items.

Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) is a valuable tree associated with Indian culture. It is the second most expensive wood in the world.

The paste is prepared by grinding wood by hand upon granite slabs shaped for the purpose. With the slow addition of water, a thick paste results (called kalabham "കളഭം" in Malayalam language and gandha ಗಂಧ in Kannada), which is mixed with saffron or other such pigments to make chandanam. Chandanam, further mixed with herbs, perfumes, pigments, and some other compounds, results in javadhu. Kalabham, chandanam, and javadhu are dried and used as kalabham powder, chandanam powder, and javadhu powder, respectively.

The heartwood of the tree is treasured for its aroma and is one of the finest natural materials for carving.

Sandalwood oil is used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy and pharmaceuticals.

The monopoly of sandalwood trade by the Governments of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and its consequences have resulted in severe exploitation, pushing S. album into the vulnerable category of the IUCN Red List. Extensive research has shown that sandalwood exhibits considerable genetic diversity for different traits

Chandanam powder is very popular in India and is also used in Nepal. In Tirupati after religious tonsure, sandalwood paste is applied to protect the skin.

information pertaining to heartwood and oil content is meagre mainly because of non-availability of sandalwood plantations

In Hinduism and Ayurveda, sandalwood is thought to bring one closer to the divine. Thus, it is one of the most used holy elements in Hindu and Vedic societies.

Carrying out further research on these two important traits is difficult as natural populations have dwindled rapidly. We strongly urge that it is essential to encourage the establishment of community/corporate sandalwood plantations in different parts of India with appropriate incentives and adequate protective measures. These plantations can form the base population sources to regain the leadership of India in the sandalwood industry for perfumery and the precious art of carving.

Sandalwood is the name of a class of woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods, they retain their fragrance for decades.

Sandalwood use is integral part of daily practices of Jainism. Sandalwood paste mixed with saffron is used to worship tirthankar Jain deities. Sandalwood powder is showered as blessings by Jain monks and nuns (sadhus and sadhvis) to their disciples and followers

Sandalwood oil is extracted from the woods for use. Both the wood and the oil produce a distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries. Consequently, species of these slow-growing trees have suffered over-harvesting in the past century.

Sandalwood garlands are used to dress the body during Jain cremation ceremonies. During the festival of Mahamastakabhisheka that is held once in every 12 years, the statue of Gommateshwara is then bathed and anointed with libations such as milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste, and sprinkled with powders of sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion.