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