Sandalwood
|
Botanical Name |
Santalum album |
|
Family |
Santalaceae |
|
Other Names |
East Indian sandalwood, sandalwood mysore, sanders-wood, santal, white sandalwood, white saunders, yellow sandalwood, yellow saunders |
|
Description |
Evergreen parasitic tree up to 9m/30ft, brown/grey trunk, smoth slender branches and pink/purple flowers |
|
Native to |
Asia |
|
Parts Used |
Heartwood and the oil |
|
Actions |
Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, bechic, carminative, fungicidal, insecticidal, sedative, tonic |
|
Extraction |
Water or steam distillation of roots and heartwood |
|
Constituents |
Volatile oil: sesquiterpenes: alpha and beta santalol (90%): 6% sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons alpha and beta santalene, alpha and beta curcumene: santene, borneol Teresantol, tri-cyclo ekasantalal, furfurol |
|
Combines with |
Benzoin, bergamot, black pepper, cypress, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, rose, vetiver, ylang ylang |
|
Skin |
Acne, dry skin |
|
Respiratory |
Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, sore throats |
|
Digestive |
Diarrhoea, nausea |
|
Genito-urinary |
Cystitis |
|
Nervous system |
Depression, nervous tension, insomnia, stress |
|
Other Uses |
Soaps, detergents, cosmetics |
|
Other Notes |
The oil cannot be made from tree under 30 years old It has been used for over 4000years Used in the East to build temples possible as it repels white ants It is mentioned in the oldest texts of the Indian Veda dating from 5th century BC It is used in Hindu purification ceremonies It was used by the Egyptians in the embalming process Tantric philosophy claims it can awaken the kundalini It is used in Shinto and Buddhist shrines In Muslim culture it is burnt at the feet of the recently deceased to aid their souls journey into the afterlife |
|
Caution |
Do not use oil on young children |