Sandal wood oil is obtained from sandal wood tree by the method of steam distillation from the dried powdered roots and heartwood of trees that are at least 40 - 80 years old. The older the tree more is the oil content and richer the fragrance. Sandal wood tree is a small tree that grows up to 30 feet and has small purple – pink flowers. Sandalwood oil has sweet, warm, balsamic and woody aroma. It is transparent in color with a slightly yellowish tinge.
Sandalwood oil holds a special place of decorum and priority in many civilizations and religions of the world. In Hindu religion, sandalwood is considered holy and indispensable in all the social and religious rituals and ceremonies.
Sandalwood oil has many medicinal properties such as
· Antiseptic – Gives prevention against infection
· Anti-inflammatory – helps in reducing pain and swelling
· Anti phlogistic – Useful for curing mild fever
· Anti spasmodic – Helps in relieving spasms
· Diuretic – Increases discharge of urine
· Carminative – Helps in eliminating gases from stomach and intestine
· Emollient – Makes skin soft
· Hypotensive – Reduces blood pressure
· Memory booster – Helps in improving memory
· Sedative – Soothes nerves, gives a calming effect, reduces anxiety and stress
Sandal wood oil has extensive use in the medicine industry, as well as in skin and beauty treatments. It is an essential oil that is used in many therapies to relieve and soothe the nervous system.
There are many beneficial effects of sandalwood oil. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries; it helps in stimulating the pineal gland and limbic region of the brain. The limbic region of our brain is the center of our emotions. It also helps in prevention of skin cancer and also helps in reducing stress. Sandalwood oil is also helpful in treating in urinary tract infection as it relaxes and soothes the urinary tract. Thus, not only passing urine becomes easy but the quantity and frequency also increases. Sandalwood oil added to bathing water, gives a refreshingly cool experience and leaves behind a delicate perfume lingering over the body.
A massage with sandalwood oil relaxes nerves, muscle and helps cure cramps, aches and spasms. It gives a calming, comforting, stimulating and reviving effect to the body. It gives relief from itching, skin rashes, stretch marks, chapped feet, acne as well as wrinkles. If sandal wood oil is not available, then sandal wood powder can be mixed with any other massage oil and kept overnight, and can then be used for massaging.
It is also widely used in industrial products such as mouth fresheners, edibles, incense sticks, room fresheners, deodorants, perfumes, soaps, lotions, crème, etc. Avoid using sandalwood oil directly on the skin; always blend it with carrier oils for best results.
