SANDALWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL

Santalum album

Sandalwood, the holiest of holies, the most sacred of trees, has been revered throughout the ages. Its heartwood produces a most valuable essential oil, widely sought after for incense, perfumery, cosmetics and aromatherapy. Sandalwood is sacred to Shiva. It stirs the root chakra and awakens the Kundalini snake. But what makes Sandalwood most special, is its use in tantric practice, where it is used to connect the lowest with the highest chakra, transmuting basic sexual energy into cosmic consciousness as it opens the third eye. Devout Hindus make a Sandalwood paste with which they anoint their 'Shiva eye'. Despite its gentle softness, Sandalwood has a male scent, which is structurally similar to a male pheromone that sends an unmistakable, yet barely perceptible, scented message to the opposite sex. This is why Sandalwood can be an effective aphrodisiac. Spiritually it is balancing and calming, a fragrant key to a meditative space dimension. Sandalwood is also said to protect against evil spirits. It is said that mean spirited people will not even be able to come close to it. Unfortunately, this belief has not proven to be true - mean spirited people do come close to it all the time. Illegal poachers, who couldn't care less and simply want to cash in on the very lucrative international market, lay axe on the tree and smuggle it to neighbouring countries that don't have export regulations. Under such circumstances enforcing regulations and safeguarding sustainable harvests becomes extremely difficult. Asia is by far the greatest market for Sandalwood products, it being used not only for incense and perfumery, but also for carving sacred artefacts and building shrines and temples. While it is possible to grow Sandalwood in other tropical regions, it appears that it looses its distinctive scent. If the wonderful gifts of this tree are to survive into the future, the Indian Government will have to get a lot more proactive to protect these trees.

Traditional
In aromatherapy Sandalwood is mostly used for its emotionally balancing effect. It is helpful for treating psychological problems such as egotism, arrogance, stress related issues, impotence and frigidity. As a remedy it is used for infections of the urinary tract and respiratory conditions, such as sore throat and bronchitis. In aromatherapy skincare it can be used in balancing lotions, especially night creams that can be helpful for either dry or oily skin.

Magical
Sandalwood is used in tantric practices to balance all chakras and awaken the kundalini snake. It can be used in magical perfumery to attract a lover. Sandalwood balances, centres and calms the mind. It is used for meditation and purification and to ward off evil spirits.

Scent
A gentle, soft, woody, balsamic, slightly sweet scent that blends well with Rose, Ylang Ylang, Benzoin, Jasmine, Verbena, Cinnamon, Frankincense Vanilla and Mimosa.

1ml* Dilution. 1ml: 9ml Light Coconut Oil.