Description:

Sandalwood Essential Oil is a prized oil extracted through steam distillation from the heartwood of sandalwood trees, mainly Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) and Santalum spicatum (Australian sandalwood). This oil is highly sought after for its rich, woody-floral scent, making it a popular ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. It is also used in sacred unguents and mild food flavoring. The main constituents of sandalwood oil are α-santalol (50–60%) and β-santalol (20–25%), both of which contribute to its unique fragrance and therapeutic properties. The exact composition can vary based on the species, age of the tree, region grown, and the distillation process. Sandalwood oil is renowned for its calming and grounding effects, often used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including colds, fever, inflammation, and urinary tract infections. Additionally, it has religious significance in many cultures, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism. In terms of production, the entire tree, including the stump and roots, is used to obtain the oil. While Indian sandalwood requires the removal of sapwood before distillation, Australian sandalwood does not. The oil’s fragrance is frequently combined with other wood or floral scents, such as violet, rose, and tuberose. Due to its high cost, synthetic substitutes like Sandalore and Brahmanol are commonly used in cosmetics and perfumes, though natural sandalwood oil is still preferred for its therapeutic benefits, including potential healing properties for wounds.