Sandalwood essential oil is a beautiful, luxurious, but costly oil. Yet, it is a worthwhile investment due to its wonderful therapeutic properties.
Sandalwood has a long history in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing science. It has been in use for thousands of years for medicinal and wellness purposes.
Today, many households across the country use essential oils daily. Sandalwood oil is a beautiful addition to your aromatherapy library.
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As you learn more about essential oils, you’ll see that there are lots of ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your life.
In this article, I’ll show you 7 quick and easy uses for, and benefit of, Sandalwood essential oil.
I hope you’ll want to incorporate Sandalwood into your essential oil routine soon.
What Is Sandalwood Oil?
Sandalwood essential oil is distilled from Santalum trees. Sandalwood trees need to be a minimum of 15 years old to achieve an extraction with high levels of oils. ¹
Sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from the whole Sandalwood tree.
The entire trees, including stump and roots, are used in Sandalwood oil production. This maximizes the yields of oil, rather than leaving some parts of the plant in the ground unused. The wood from the stump and roots also contain high levels of the natural oils.
The texture of Sandalwood oil is very thick and comes out of the bottle slowly. Sandalwood oil has a deeply fibrous, wooden scent that’s sweet and light at the same time. It does not smell harsh, rather it’s warm and comforting. Some describe it as grounding and soothing.
Many individuals (including myself) adore the mellow scent of Sandalwood. It is pure and inspiring.
Sandalwood Indian vs. Australian Sandalwood
There are two species of Sandalwood trees. Each belongs to a different geographic region:
- Santalum album, the East Indian Sandalwood tree
- Santalum spicatum, the Australian Sandalwood tree
Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil
Price
The spiking popularity of Sandalwood essential oil has caused over-harvesting of Indian Sandalwood. Australian Sandalwood is an ecologically responsible alternative to traditional Indian Sandalwood. It is very similar both aromatically and therapeutically ².
Why Is Sandalwood Oil So Expensive
Sandalwood Australian from Plant Therapy
Get It Here
Sandalwood oil is quite pricey and becoming rare. If you see Sandalwood essential oil being sold at a bargain price, please take a second look.
Some essential oil brands will sell Sandalwood at 10% dilution. This means the bottle of Sandalwood oil contains only 10% Sandalwood, and 90% carrier oil. In this case, the oil bottle label should state a 10% dilution.
If your Sandalwood is 100% pure, it’ll likely be quite expensive. It may also come in smaller bottle sizes such as 5 ml. For example, this 5 mL bottle of Australian Sandalwood from Plant Therapy costs $34.99. But it is lovely quality! 10 mL sells at $56.99.
Depending on the quality of your Sandalwood oil, there will be differences in scent. Any oils’ exact profile will depend on many natural factors. It all depends on the crop soil conditions, harvest timing, or weather during that exact growing season. If you shop at a trusted essential oil brand, preferred sourcing and production techniques should be in place and you can shop with confidence.
The Sandalwood oil I have is from Plant Therapy Essential Oils. You can read my full brand review HERE.
7 Ways to Use Sandalwood Essential Oil
Now before you decide to add a bottle of Sandalwood to your apothecary, let’s look at how to best use it:
1. Skin Care
Using Sandalwood oil for skin care is one of its most popular uses.
The oil can help create smooth, healthy-looking skin. It can help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, and brighten up your skin tone. Due to its astringent properties, treating acne with Sandalwood is a soothing, calming way to improve your skin.
2. Hair and Scalp
Sandalwood oil can help strengthen your hair and provide added shine. And it’s easy to work right into your normal hair care routine! Add a couple drops of Sandalwood oil to your day-to-day hair shampoo or conditioner.
You may also choose to massage a couple of drops of the oil on damp hair after showering.
3. A Smooth Shave
Sandalwood essential oil can contribute to a smooth, comfortable shave. Combine a few drops of Sandalwood with some Shea butter and Fractionated Coconut Oil. Blend it all up right in the palm of your hands. This pre-shave treatment will leave your skin smooth and hydrated after shaving. The lotion will also support a close shave every time.
With its mild scent, it’s perfect for men or women. And this soothing recipe is quite easy to put together at home!
4. Meditation and Prayer
Sandalwood is a beautiful, luxurious essential oil.
Using essential oils can be a wonderful way to relax and unwind for you and your family.
Sandalwood is often used for meditation, prayer, or other spiritual rituals. The Indian Sandalwood is among the most sacred herbs of Ayurveda. Use it to create a sacred space for yourself.
Your diffuser can disperse the aroma throughout the air in your room. Start the diffuser 15 minutes before your yoga or meditation practice.
Another option would be to wear Sandalwood on personal diffuser jewelry, such as a diffuser necklace.
5. Perfumery
Sandalwood has a distinct sweet and woodsy aroma that is pleasing to many noses! It has long been used in perfumery and the beauty industry.
A small amount of Sandalwood will go a long way, so don’t use too much or you’ll create an overpowering scent.
6. Aphrodisiac
Some oils are known to boost libido and enhance performance for both men and women. Sandalwood is one of those oils. It is a well-known aphrodisiac. Using an aromatherapy diffuser is a great way to benefit from the aroma of essential oils. Turn it on in your bedroom at night and see what happens!
Some of these romantic diffuser blend recipes contain Sandalwood essential oil.
7. Grounding and Relaxation
Sandalwood has grounding properties, making it one of the best solutions to treat stress and anxiety. Its relaxing and calming effect helps to restore the central nervous system. Used purposefully, it can improve mental wellness.
In Summary
Aromatherapy treatments use essential oils to support an individual’s mood and wellness.
Essential oils don’t cure major illnesses. But aromatherapy can ease many of the discomforts associated with being and feeling ill.
If you’re going to try out aromatherapy, Sandalwood oil should definitely be among the oils in your medicine cabinet. Its many benefits can support you in many areas of life.
As you’ll come to learn, there are lots of approaches to incorporate essential oils and aromatherapy in your life. For best results, buy the best quality oils you can find.
References
¹ Wikipedia.org: Sandalwood Production
² Mountain Rose Herbs: Why Choose Australian Sandalwood?
³ Dr. Axe: Sandalwood Astringent Properties
Amy Capobianco-Diaz
Hi Emma, thanks so much for sharing all of your knowledge of essential oils! Would you happen to have a recipe for a men’s after shave? Thanks!
Amy