/ 0 Sandalwood
Mentioned in the Nirkuta, the oldest of the Hindu Vedas (written from the 5th century BC), sandalwood was used in religious ceremonies and plays a key role in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It is widely used in perfumery for its base note and classic, oriental scent. Nearly everyone loves the warmth and exotic perfume of its oils and it can be used to calm and pamper people.
Therapeutic Properties
Sandalwood is used to calm and cool the body, reduce inflammation, infection and fever, and to ease sunstroke. 70% of the world’s sandalwood is grown in India (the best oil comes from Mysore).
On the last day of the year, it was customary for Burmese women to sprinkle a mixture of sandalwood oil and rose water on those nearby, to wash away the year’s sins and purify the body and spirit.
Emotions and Mind
Use Sandal wood as a sedative and to calm the mind and emotions. It enhances the sense of peace that occurs during meditation. It can be used in massage blends and the oil can be burnt in a vaporizer to treat anxiety and depression.
Respiratory problems
Sandalwood oil is used to treat laryngitis, sore throat, bronchitis and chest tightness. Put a couple of drops of oil on a handkerchief and inhale, or massage the area with diluted oil.
Urinary Problems
Sandalwood is gently antiseptic and diuretic. Useful in the treatment of Cystitis. Use sandalwood oil in a warm compress or diluted in a bath or massage blend for the lower back.
Allergies and Infections
In a French study carried out in 1993, santalol, sandalwood oil’s main constituent, was found to be effective in helping to treat gonorrhoea.
Skin and Beauty
Sandalwood is soothing and acts as an anti – inflammatory. The oil is beneficial to acme, eczema and chapped, dry skin and is popular in beauty products for its sweet, long lasting fragrance.
