| Sandalwood is one of the world's most widely used | | | | supporting alignment of the individual with the |
| essential oils, prized for its scent in perfumery, for its | | | | universal Self.In the traditional Indian medicine system |
| therapeutic effects in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibetan | | | | of Ayurveda, Sandalwood is valued for it's ability to |
| medicine systems, and for its ability to center the | | | | cool the fire of pitta. It is indicated for inflammatory |
| mind in meditative yogic traditions.Sandalwood | | | | conditions, such as inflamed skin, or intestinal and |
| essential oil is most often extracted via steam | | | | genitor-urinary conditions that require cooling. Modern |
| distillation from the wood of the Sandalwood tree, | | | | aromatherapy considers the oil an effective skin care |
| with the heartwood of the roots producing the | | | | agent for dry skin, general irritation and acne; it can |
| highest quality oil. Sandalwood is an evergreen, | | | | help in cases of bronchitis, catarrh, dry persistent |
| growing to a height of 9 meters, with leathery leaves | | | | coughs, laryngitis and sore throat; it may relieve |
| and small purple flowers. Native to southern tropical | | | | diarrhea and nausea, and can be supportive in cases |
| Asia, the tree is parasitic, gaining its nutrients from | | | | of cystitis.Beyond the physical body, Sandalwood |
| one of several other tree species. Because it can | | | | essential oil is a great tonic for the hyper-active mind. |
| only be grown this way, and due to its seemingly | | | | In practical terms, the oil is considered an |
| strict set of environmental conditions, Sandalwood is | | | | anti-depressant through it's ability to relieve hot, |
| difficult to propagate. To add to the challenge of | | | | agitated emotional states, and to assist in release |
| successful cultivation, Sandalwood takes nearly 30 | | | | from over-thinking and worry. More esoterically, the |
| years to mature before yielding oil of any | | | | aroma is considered 'divinely sweet' and softly |
| worth.Sandalwood essential oil has a woody, balsamic, | | | | balsamic, characteristics which evoke the grounding |
| sweet and slightly musky aroma; it is a pale yellow, | | | | of the Earth element. It is said to release one from |
| greenish or brownish liquid with excellent tenacity (the | | | | the 'tyranny of the intellect' which can cloud one's |
| aroma tends to last a long time) and superior fixative | | | | true nature, bringing about a more serene state |
| properties. There are several varieties available, with | | | | unifying body, mind and spirit. From this quiet, unified |
| Santalum album is considered the most important | | | | state comes forth the true creative mind, finding |
| therapeutically. The Mysore region of eastern India is | | | | infinite possibility in the here and now. It is in this |
| thought to produce the highest quality of this oil | | | | peaceful, unified state where meditation can affect |
| type, though its harvesting is creating a strain on the | | | | profound transformation.Recommended essential oil |
| area's natural environment. Recently, an oil of the | | | | blends for calming the mind are as follows - these |
| austrocaledonia species has been produced on the | | | | can be used for general massage, reflexology, or |
| South Pacific island of Vanuatu from successfully | | | | applied to pulse points and temples: For 'obsessive' |
| cultivated Sandalwood trees. This oil has a fantastic | | | | thinking, try four (4) drops of Sandalwood and two |
| aroma, with a woody, smoky scent that can remind | | | | (2) drops of Vetiver in one tablespoon of carrier; for |
| one of being at the beach - an excellent base note in | | | | a detached analytical state try three (3) drops |
| perfume and cosmetic blends.In the West, | | | | Geranium, two (2) drops Sandalwood and one (1) |
| Sandalwood oil is perhaps best known in the west as | | | | drop Patchouli in one tablespoon of carrier. These |
| a natural, woody, sweet body perfume used 'as is', | | | | blends can also be created for use in a diffuser by |
| or as a familiar aroma in many cosmetics, | | | | omitting the carrier oil. For a great perfume also with |
| aftershaves and the like. In the east, however, | | | | soothing qualities, combine three parts Sandalwood |
| Sandalwood's importance in cultural and spiritual | | | | and two parts Vanilla oil - the blend produces a |
| traditions cannot be overstated. The wood is carved | | | | wonderful tropical island aroma.Finally, Sandalwood is |
| into furniture, religious icons, used to build temples | | | | one of the few essential oils which improves with |
| and burned as incense in a great variety of | | | | age. Due to increasing demand, the oil's price is |
| ceremonies. The oil is used to anoint the dead, helping | | | | climbing significantly every year - it can be worthwhile |
| their transition to the next life. In Burma, women | | | | to purchase a little more than you think you'll need |
| sprinkle it on passersby on the last day of the year | | | | immediately, as storing it for some time will only |
| for the release of sins. In Hindu marriages, | | | | result in a richer oil in the future. Of course, samples |
| Sandalwood is burned in a tent such that the smoke | | | | are also a great place to start, as you can first find a |
| surrounds the bridal couple. For the meditative yogi, | | | | Sandalwood that truly suits you. |
| the oil and incense encourage a serene state of mind, | | | | |