Description: This East Indian Sandalwood oil is distilled from the Santalum album that grows in Mysore, and only the heartwood of trees that are at least 35 year old are used for distillation. The trees are legally cut down and regulated by the local government. Oil produced from such trees is considered the highest quality of Sandalwood.

Botanical Description: Sandalwood is a small, evergreen, semi-parasitic tree, which obtains its nourishment by attaching itself to the roots of other botanicals, such as bamboo, teak and guava trees, for its first seven years, and becomes fully established after causing the host to die. The true Sandalwood is the wood of trees in the genus Santalum that grows in India and various island of Indian Ocean, with the best quality found in the province of Mysore. The trees are very slow-growing, and only trees that reach maturity can be harvested. The highest quality of Sandalwood essential oil is obtained only from the heartwood of Sandalwood trees that are at least 40 years old or above. However, Sandalwood oil produced from trees at 30 years old can still fetch a very high price due to the demand for real Sandalwood.

Fragrance: The fragrance of Sandalwood oil increases over time, and it has the longest-lasting aroma of all essential oils. It has soft, sweet, woody top notes and deep, balsamic, spicy, oriental undertones.

Fragrant Effect: Psychologically, Sandalwood facilitates spiritual practice, and has been used in incense as a meditation aid for centuries. It calms irritation born of frustration, quiets and stills the mind.

Blends Well With: Sandalwood essential oil blends well with Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cassie, Cedarwood, Clove, Coriander, Costus, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Labdanum, Lavender, Mimosa, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Pine, Rose, Rosewood, Tuberose, Vetiver, Violet and Ylang Ylang.

Therapeutic Properties: In India, Sandalwood oil has been used for traditional Ayurvedic medicine for many centuries. It is known as a powerful urinary antiseptic and effective in the treatment of various infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis and gonorrhoea. Other therapeutic properties of Sandalwood essential oil include antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, insecticidal, sedative and tonic.

Aromatherapeutic Use: Sandalwood essential oil can be used in the treatment of acne, bronchitis catarrh, coughs, cracked and chapped skin, cystitis, depression, diarrhea, eczema, insomnia, laryngitis, nausea, nervous tension, pre-menstrual syndrome, respiratory ailments, sore throat and stress-related disorders.

Constituents: The main constituent of east Indian Sandalwood oil is santalols (up to 94%). Others include sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, santene, teresantol, borneol, santalone and tri-cyclo-ekasantalal.