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Sandalwood essential oil is both an exceptionally popular aroma, and a classic medicinal, therapeutic essential oil. Employed as as a natural perfume for over for many centuries, and as well as as a therapy in the Ayurvedic technique, the paste of the wood on its own was greatly valued by human beings. The oil itself, has been getting popular during the past century, it is an incredibly classic aroma, with important science-proven therapeutic medicinal applications. Both for the skin and the nervous system, sandalwood oil can offer therapeutic benefits.

First, a quick look at the history: sandalwood oil is distilled from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. Sounds pretty simple, until you find out that sandalwood is in fact a parasite; it grows exclusively on a few species of other species of trees in tropical environments. To cultivate sandalwood, the tree needs to be planted next to the right host tree, already of a certain age, for it to climb up. When the sandalwood is cultivated, which itself is extremely slow to grow, both trees need be taken down. Clearly this presents challenges for this declining natural resource.

The harvesting of the wood in The Indian subcontinent, where the premium sandalwood trees are thought to be from, has been limited by the government to bestprotect the tropical rain forests. In other places around the world, production is watched to make sure the decline of the tropical forests in India occurs no where else.

It is distinct that due to its endangered situation alone, the oil from the sandalwood tree is something to be held dear. Yet, the aromatic oil has some very unique and potentially very useful therapeutic actions which make it of even greater value. One use is a derivation of the use of the wood’s paste for skin treatment. The distilled essential oil has been shown to lessen the occurrence of skin tumors if put on before being exposed to UVB light, and separately chemicals which cause skin cancer.

Research workers working within a University environment, (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences), pointed out “santalol”, a primary chemical component in sandalwood, works well in limiting UVB-induced malignant skin tumors. Scientists have also noted that the essential oil caused apoptosis (normal cell death) of cells in cells that were otherwise becoming cancerous. Certainly the oil can make an important ingredient in skin care products.

Sandalwood oil’s scent is highly regarded for its calming, centering qualities, without being sedating. In Vienna researchers published a report in which subjects had been positively affected in the areas of attention, emotional condition, enjoyment and vigor. These actions relate to sandalwood oil’s frequent use as the preferred aromatic in aiding meditation.

Interestingly, the oil in addition has been researched for assisting with more peaceful sleep. Sandalwood does this both when inhaled and when topically applied. One study looking at the results of inhaling “a-santalol”, of the oil, discovered this is likely to result in a significant decrease in the minutes spent waiting to fall asleep in sleep-disturbed subjects, and further, raised the overall duration in the important dream sleep of REM.

So you can see that sandalwood oil has a number of valuable medicinal features that a lot of people may enjoy.

For more on the therapeutic value of aromatherapy essential oil, and one of many important oils individually such as frankincense, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.