| Not only is Sandalwood Essential Oil one of the most | | | | last for a long time and it has superior fixative |
| widely used of all essential oils around the world, but it | | | | properties. There are several varieties of this essential |
| is also prized by the perfumery industry for its scent. | | | | oil available, but the one which is considered the best in |
| Both the Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibetian medicine | | | | respect of its therapeutic qualities is Santalum Album. It |
| regard it highly for its therapeutic effects as well as its | | | | is believed that the best quality of the Santalum Album |
| ability at being able to centre the mind in meditative | | | | oil comes from the Mysore region of Eastern India, but |
| yoga practices. | | | | unfortunately harvesting is beginning to place a strain |
| Sandalwood essential oil is often distracted from the | | | | on the area's natural environment. |
| wood of Sandalwood tree using steam distillation and it | | | | Today sandalwood essential oils is considered in |
| is the heartwood of the roots that produces the | | | | aromatherapy to be considered effective in treating |
| highest quality of oil all. The Sandalwood is an | | | | dry skin, general skin irritation and acne. It may also help |
| evergreen tree which grows to about 9m in height, has | | | | in the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh, dry persistent |
| leathery leaves and small purple flowers bloom on it. It | | | | coughs, laryngitis as well as sore throats. It may also |
| is a native plant of Southern Tropical Asia. | | | | help in to relieve diarrhea, nausea and some cases of |
| Unfortunately the tree is a parasite as it likes to gain its | | | | cystitis. |
| nutrients from other tree species and because it can | | | | However, it is also great as a tonic for a hyper active |
| only be grown in this way and under a set of strict | | | | mind and is considered to be an anti-depressant as it |
| environmental conditions it is very difficult to propagate | | | | can help to relieve hot, agitated emotional states and |
| this tree. Add to this the fact that the tree will need at | | | | relieving people from over thinking and worry. |
| least 30 years to mature before it will yield any oil that | | | | Also sandalwood is one of the essential oils which |
| is worth having. | | | | improve with age and because of increased demand |
| The aroma often associated with sandalwood | | | | the price of the oil has begun to increase significantly |
| essential oil is a woody, balsamic, sweet and slightly | | | | each year. So it may be wise to purchase more than |
| musky one. It is usually either pale yellow, greenish or | | | | you think as storing it will only result in it becoming |
| brownish in colour and the aroma (tenacity) tends to | | | | richer over time. |