Aromatherapy: Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood oil is perhaps best known in the west as a sweet, warm, rich and woody essential oil used as is for a body fragrance, and as an ingredient in fragrant products such as incense, perfumes, aftershaves and other cosmetics. But the story of sandalwood, the divine essence, goes much further. Sandalwood has been a part of the religious and spiritual traditions of India since prehistory and has been effectively used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

A particular issue Sandalwood oil is in high demand today and the resource is dwindling. This has lead to several unfavorable results: 1) sandalwood oil is one of the most-often adulterated essential oils; 2) the cost of sandalwood oil is rising dramatically (about 25% per year); 3) due to the value of sandalwood oil, the trees are being illegally cut, leading to the waste of this precious resource as trees that are too young are cut, or trees are cut but the roots are left to rot (the roots are the most valuable part of the tree from which to extract the oil). Additionally, this illegal poaching has lead to several murders of forestry officials and other crimes indicative of the black market; 4) the resource is becoming scarce. The current production of sandalwood trees is not enough to meet the demand of consumers.

Sandalwood oil, a classic evergreen natural essential oil used in aromatherapy, has numerous health benefits:

    Traditionally a hydration agent for skin, cure for both acne and dry skin

    Anti-inflammatory

    A relaxing aid for tension relief

    In treatment of chronic bronchitis by helping mucous membranes in the chest wall

    Supports the nervous system and circulation

While it does not have therapeutic value, there are wonderful Sandalwood Fragrance Oils. Like using Palm Wax, I choose to not purchase Sandalwood Essential Oil because I do not want to support the illegal clearing of Palm in Indonesia and will not support the illegal harvesting of sandalwood trees.