Sandalwood Powder

 

Sandalwood is an aromatic evergreen tree of the genus Santalum with a hefty, yellow, and fine-grained wood which was an integral part of perfumes, fragrances, colognes for times immemorial. Sandalwood oil and powder are used extensively for its impressive beauty and health incentives. It is the second costliest wood in the world after African Blackwood, and its unique scent is highly prized in ancient medicines for its innumerable therapeutic properties.

Sandalwood is a hemiparasite tree (which means it cannot live without being planted close to appropriate species like neem, pyerocarpus etc). The Indian sandalwood is scientifically termed as Santalum album which is a native species of South India and widely grown in the Western Ghats, Kalrayan and Shevaroy Hills. Sandalwood trees are grown in India, Pakistan and Indonesia which are government-owned, and the cultivation is monitored. Sandalwood oil is heavily priced at about 65,000 rupees per kg.

Red sander type of sandalwood is widespread in regions like Seshachalam, Veliganda, Lankamala, and Palakonda hill ranges, in the districts of Kadapa, Chittoor, and Kurnool in Rayalaseema region, Nellore and Prakasam in Andhra Pradesh, Mysore in Karnataka and Marymoor forest in Kerala, cultivates high-quality red sander.

It is clad by several vernacular names such as Chandan in Sanskrit and Hindi, Chandanam in Tamil and Malayalam, Gandham in Telugu and Srigandha in Kannada.

Santalum album is the most commercially cultivated wood treasured for its intense fragrance oil. The tree grows to a medium height of 30 feet and needs to be grown for 15 years for complete harvesting which yields high-quality yellow wood and strong-scented oil. Australia is the largest producer of this species. As sandalwood is the priciest wood and to make the best use of the wood, it is harvested by removing the entire tree at the trunk from the ground level.

Uses Of Sandalwood

The precious sandalwood oil is collected from the heartwood (centre) of the tree. It possesses a unique, gentle, warm, velvety and milky prized wood-scent which renders a long-lasting base to several perfumes. The value of the wood peaks as it grows older for more than 50 -60 years.

The wonder wood is ground into a powder and steam-distilled into oil for making soaps, cosmetics, candles, incense, medicine and perfumes. Sandalwood oil is extensively used in beauty products to enhance skin health. The isomers sanatol of sandalwood oil is used in aromatherapy products. The rigid outer wood is cast-off to make beads and engraved to make idols.

Sandalwood oil is valued by several religious societies including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The oil is a key component in the making of attar since ancient times.

How To Make Sandalwood Essential Oil At Home?

1. Get sandalwood powder or chips from stores.
2. Use a mortar pestle to crush the chips.
3. In a glass jar, blend the powder with a cup of virgin olive oil and allow it to stay for a week, shaking it occasionally.
4. Strain the mixture and extract the oil by pressing the sandalwood powder as much as possible.
5. Store sandalwood essential oil in a glass bottle in a dark, cool place.

The homemade sandalwood oil is as effective as the one you buy from the store but may cause allergic reactions, so do a patch test before using it.

Ayurvedic Uses

The Sandalwood tree is greatly esteemed in the Vedic books for its sacredness. Chandana or Indra’s Sandalwood tree is named after Lord Indra as it spreads fragrance to the whole of paradise. Sandalwood is cherished as the quintessence of fineness, rendering its aroma even to the axe that slashes it.

In Vedic books, any substance that is exceptional is termed as “Chandana” and is widely used in sacred rituals to purify divine abodes. Sandalwood oil soap has natural antimicrobial and hydrating properties and works as a cleanser for all skin types. Sandalwood oil heals the three doshas of the body—treats Vata, pacifies, and balances Pitta and Kapha.

Sandalwood powder is blended with water into a fine paste, which exerts a cooling effect when applied topically and eases Pitta heat. It heals several conditions like sunburn, acne, rashes, fever, herpes, sores, and ulcers. Furthermore, sandalwood oil is remarkably beneficial for promoting the health of the reproductive system, nervous system, muscular system, and circulatory system.

Healing Health Incentives Of Sandalwood Powder/Oil

Promotes Skin Health

Sandalwood oil is an amazing oil that aids in curing skin conditions like dry skin, crackling, flaking, and wrinkles. An imbalance of Pitta doshas makes the skin prone to acne, blackheads, redness, and skin irritations. The goodness of sandalwood oil assists in restoring the damaged skin cells, promotes skin complexion, and maintains skin glow and radiance.

The potent astringent, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-aging, and disinfectant properties of sandalwood oil shield the skin from harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungal attacks. Moreover, applying sandalwood oil topically on the affected skin areas facilitates the healing of wounds, sores, scars, pimples, burns, and averts infections.

Sandalwood DIY Face Packs

Sandalwood DIY face packs are a proven natural remedy to treat skin problems as they assist in controlling oil secretions, acne, pigmentation, and other skin issues. Try these easy-to-do DIY face packs at home to get an instant glow and radiance.

Acne And Blackhead Removal Pack

Mix one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with one teaspoon of aloe vera gel and two teaspoons of curd to form a fine paste. Apply it on the affected areas of the skin. Let it stay for 30 minutes, then rinse well with water. The potent antibacterial properties help kill acne-causing bacteria and get rid of acne, scars, and blackheads.

Healing Health Incentives of Sandalwood

Sandalwood DIY Face Packs

Suntan and Pigmentation Pack

Take one teaspoon of sandalwood powder, mix with a teaspoon of curd, honey, turmeric powder, and lemon juice. Apply evenly on the face, let it stay for 15-20 minutes, and rinse well. This pack helps fade away suntan, dark spots, and pigmentation.

Fairer Skin Complexion Pack

Sandalwood powder works well for all skin types to enhance beauty and glow. Mix one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with one teaspoon of besan flour, turmeric powder, and rose water to form a fine paste. Apply evenly on the skin, let it stay for 15-20 minutes, and wash off. Regular use helps improve skin texture, glow, and fairness.

Hair Health

Sandalwood oil is highly effective in treating hair problems like dandruff and preventing hair fall. Its strong astringent properties reduce excess sebum secretion on the scalp, treat split ends, and enhance hair growth and lustre. A blend of essential oils like lavender, cypress, and sesame with sandalwood oil, when massaged into the scalp, helps cure dandruff.

Relaxant

Sandalwood oil is an effective relaxant and sedative that eases muscle spasms. It calms nerves, muscles, and blood vessels by reducing spasms and contractions.

Astringent Property

Sandalwood oil, a mild essential oil, possesses astringent properties. As per studies, it acts as a disinfectant for the genitourinary and bronchial tracts and serves as a diuretic, expectorant, and stimulant. It also strengthens gums, prevents gum disease, tightens muscles, and firms the skin.

Effective Antiseptic

The antiseptic property of sandalwood oil is valuable in treating bronchitis, cystitis, dysuria, and urinary tract infections. It also helps with inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Bolsters the Immune System

Aromatherapy using sandalwood oil stimulates the immune system by boosting white blood cell production, combating microorganisms, and enhancing overall immunity.

Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Sandalwood oil and powder have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that they help relieve inflammation in the gut, muscles, brain, excretory, and circulatory systems. The oil regulates pro-inflammatory compounds to ease discomfort.

Prevents Skin Cancer

Research reveals that alpha-santalol, an active compound in sandalwood oil, helps fight skin cancer by promoting the death of cancerous cells and preventing new cancer cell formation.

Stabilizes Blood Pressure

Sandalwood oil contains sedative hypotensive agents that lower systolic blood pressure, alleviate stress, and reduce hypertension symptoms. It also uplifts moods and relieves tension headaches.

Stimulates Sleep

The active compound santalol in sandalwood reduces wake time and enhances the NREM sleep phase. The oil is an excellent sleep promoter for those with insomnia or trouble falling asleep.

Respiratory Health

Sandalwood oil exhibits potent expectorant effects and treats coughs, colds, flu, and viral infections. Its antiphlogistic properties provide relief from inflammation caused by fever and mumps.

Digestive Health

Sandalwood oil has been used in traditional medicine to relieve abdominal pain and vomiting. Its antiviral and antibacterial properties combat Helicobacter pylori, a common cause of gastrointestinal disorders and ulcers.

Additional Benefits

Eases Anxiety

Aromatherapy with sandalwood, lavender, and orange-peppermint oils helps lower anxiety, reduce cortisol levels, and improve blood flow.

Promotes Wound Healing

Applying sandalwood oil activates olfactory receptors in skin cells, promoting skin cell growth and aiding wound healing.

Sandalwood Benefits and Uses

Other Uses

Massaging Oil

Sandalwood oil is widely used in aromatherapy and traditional massages. It helps reduce anxiety and promotes a calming effect. Additionally, massaging with this oil enhances skin glow and makes the skin supple.

Beauty Products

Sandalwood powder and oil are common in beauty products, thanks to their hydrating, anti-aging, and moisturizing properties. Their cleansing and toning abilities make them ideal for soaps, creams, and other skincare items.

Perfumes

Sandalwood's sweet, strong, and enduring aroma makes it a key ingredient in high-quality perfumes. Its fixative properties enhance mental clarity and provide a calming effect. Add a few drops of sandalwood oil to diffusers or massage oils for a soothing experience.

Sandalwood Aromatherapy at Home

• Use as a skin cleanser.
• Add a few drops to lotions as a diffuser.
• Boil in water to purify the air in your home.
• Use essential oil infusers as vaporizers to relieve headaches and reduce stress.

DIY Recipes

For Oily Skin

Sandalwood powder absorbs excess oil and keeps the skin supple and non-greasy.

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp sandalwood powder, 1 tbsp rose water.
• Method: Mix into a fine paste, apply to a clean face, let it stay for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with lukewarm water.

For Dry Skin

Sandalwood powder's antioxidants help restore moisture and elasticity to the skin.

• Ingredients: 1 tbsp sandalwood powder, 2 tsp yogurt.
• Method: Mix into a paste, apply to facial skin, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse with lukewarm water.

For the Bath

Sandalwood essential oil soothes the mind and provides a long-lasting fragrance.

• Ingredients: 1 cup Epsom salts, 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 2 tbsp almond oil.
• Method: Combine all ingredients in a jar, shake well, and add to a running water bath. Soak for 30 minutes.

Side Effects

Sandalwood powder and oil are generally safe when used within recommended dosages. However, possible side effects include dermatitis, itching, and digestive issues. Always blend sandalwood oil with a base oil before applying it to the skin. No significant drug interactions have been reported.

FAQs

1. Does Sandalwood Powder Lose Its Fragrance?

No, if stored properly, sandalwood powder retains its fragrance and color for years.

2. Is Sandalwood Oil a Good Scent?

Yes, sandalwood oil is highly valued for its warm, woody scent, which is calming and refreshing.

3. What Oils Can Be Blended with Sandalwood?

Floral oils like lavender and jasmine, citrus oils like bergamot or grapefruit, and warm oils like frankincense pair well with sandalwood.

4. Can Sandalwood Powder Be Used Daily on the Face?

Yes, it is safe for daily use unless you have an allergy, in which case you should avoid it.

5. Is Sandalwood Oil Good for Weight Loss?

Sandalwood oil can help curb emotional eating, support digestion, and improve overall wellness, indirectly aiding weight loss.

6. Is Sandalwood Oil Safe for Babies?

Sandalwood oil is beneficial for external use on babies but should not be ingested, especially for children under two years old.

Conclusion

Sandalwood powder and oil are highly regarded for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, beauty products, and aromatherapy. Their incredible healing benefits make them a valuable addition to any self-care routine.

Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.

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