The history of sandalwood oil is deep rooted in the spiritual and religious traditions of India since decades.
Moreover sandalwood oil is effectively used in in aromatherapy and cosmetic purposes.
This essential oil is loved for its sweet, rich and enchanting smell.
Let us learn about the history and uses of sandalwood oil.
History: The exact origin of sandalwood is vague, but it is known to have originated in the islands of south-eastern Indonesia.
However, some texts say that this wood is native to southern India; again some scripts say that sandalwood trees were introduced here more than 2,000 years ago.
Today sandalwood is widely grown in the deciduous forests on the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau.
The wood has even distribution in foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Australia, China, the Malay Archipelago and Taiwan.
The oil is extracted by distillation from sandalwood trees, which flourish in southern India, especially in the forests of Karnataka.
The most superior variety is the Mysore sandalwood oil.
In ancient history, India is said to be a vigorous exporter of luxury items like sandalwood, gold, spices, fine textiles, gems, perfumes, and ivory.
In 700 BC, rice, sandalwood and peacocks were traded along the coastal route to the Persian Gulf.
Known as 'chandana' in Sanskrit, sandalwood was used for varied purposes, especially when it was noted that burning sandalwood incense sticks not only filled the air with charming fragrance, but it also helped to keep away insects like flies and mosquitoes, people started using it even more.
Many ancient Indian texts have a mention of sandalwood oil as an important ingredient in ayurvedic medicines.
Later it was seen to be used in carvings, sacred objects and handcrafted ornaments.
In Hindu temples, there is always an obvious smell of sandalwood as the air is suffused with the smell of the incense sticks, specially made from sandalwood oil, jasmine and turmeric.
The uses of this oil are mentioned here comprehensively: Medicinal Use: Since ancient times, sandalwood oil is widely used as a medicine owing to its anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory properties.
Apart from these two, the oil is also an excellent antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, sedative, tonic, antiviral, immune stimulant, and bronchial dilator.
As it has excellent calming properties, formerly sandalwood paste was applied to cure fever, sleep disorders, skin eruptions, viral infections etc.
It is also known to be effective in curing haemorrhoids, impotence, bronchitis, diarrhoea, cancer (prostate, breast, cervical and skin), and urinary tract infections.
Sandalwood oil was also used to cure snake and insect bites.
Often sandalwood oil is used as a balm in meditation units, because its calming and astringent properties awaken sensuality, brings calmness to the mind and enables in deep relaxation of mind, body and soul.
With regular usage, a person can achieve the power of greater intuition and sense of awareness.
It also activates the sacral chakras and caters to the emotional issues steadily.
Cosmetic Use: Sandalwood oil is widely used in diverse cosmetic items, perfumes, body oils etc.
It has the power to reduce skin problems like acne, thus found in many skin creams.
Spiritual Use: Sandalwood incense is an important item in the sacred realm of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Hindu deities are offered with flowers smudged with sandalwood paste indicating purity.
Spiritual people wear the paste as a dot or tilak on the forehead.
Apart from using sandalwood oil in incense sticks, this oil is also used in some temples to smear the God as pure perfumes.
The wood used to be burnt during death ceremonies with a belief that it helps the soul reach heaven.
The power of this oil is still used widely in various countries, acknowledging all of its benefits.