| lwood is one of the world's most widely used | | | | individual with the universal Self. |
| essential oils, prized for its scent in perfumery, for its | | | | In the traditional Indian medicine system of |
| therapeutic effects in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibetan | | | | Ayurveda, Sandalwood is valued for it's ability to cool |
| medicine systems, and for its ability to center the | | | | the fire of pitta. It is indicated for inflammatory |
| mind in meditative yogic traditions. | | | | conditions, such as inflamed skin, or intestinal and |
| Sandalwood essential oil is most often extracted via | | | | genitor-urinary conditions that require cooling. Modern |
| steam distillation from the wood of the Sandalwood | | | | aromatherapy considers the oil an effective skin care |
| tree, with the heartwood of the roots producing the | | | | agent for dry skin, general irritation and acne; it can |
| highest quality oil. Sandalwood is an evergreen, | | | | help in cases of bronchitis, catarrh, dry persistent |
| growing to a height of 9 meters, with leathery leaves | | | | coughs, laryngitis and sore throat; it may relieve |
| and small purple flowers. Native to southern tropical | | | | diarrhea and nausea, and can be supportive in cases |
| Asia, the tree is parasitic, gaining its nutrients from | | | | of cystitis. |
| one of several other tree species. Because it can | | | | Beyond the physical body, Sandalwood essential oil is |
| only be grown this way, and due to its seemingly | | | | a great tonic for the hyper-active mind. In practical |
| strict set of environmental conditions, Sandalwood is | | | | terms, the oil is considered an anti-depressant |
| difficult to propagate. To add to the challenge of | | | | through it's ability to relieve hot, agitated emotional |
| successful cultivation, Sandalwood takes nearly 30 | | | | states, and to assist in release from over-thinking and |
| years to mature before yielding oil of any worth. | | | | worry. More esoterically, the aroma is considered |
| Sandalwood essential oil has a woody, balsamic, | | | | 'divinely sweet' and softly balsamic, characteristics |
| sweet and slightly musky aroma; it is a pale yellow, | | | | which evoke the grounding of the Earth element. It is |
| greenish or brownish liquid with excellent tenacity (the | | | | said to release one from the 'tyranny of the intellect' |
| aroma tends to last a long time) and superior fixative | | | | which can cloud one's true nature, bringing about a |
| properties. There are several varieties available, with | | | | more serene state unifying body, mind and spirit. |
| Santalum album is considered the most important | | | | From this quiet, unified state comes forth the true |
| therapeutically. The Mysore region of eastern India is | | | | creative mind, finding infinite possibility in the here and |
| thought to produce the highest quality of this oil | | | | now. It is in this peaceful, unified state where |
| type, though its harvesting is creating a strain on the | | | | meditation can affect profound transformation. |
| area's natural environment. Recently, an oil of the | | | | Recommended essential oil blends for calming the |
| austrocaledonia species has been produced on the | | | | mind are as follows - these can be used for general |
| South Pacific island of Vanuatu from successfully | | | | massage, reflexology, or applied to pulse points and |
| cultivated Sandalwood trees. This oil has a fantastic | | | | temples: For 'obsessive' thinking, try four (4) drops of |
| aroma, with a woody, smoky scent that can remind | | | | Sandalwood and two (2) drops of Vetiver in one |
| one of being at the beach - an excellent base note in | | | | tablespoon of carrier; for a detached analytical state |
| perfume and cosmetic blends. | | | | try three (3) drops Geranium, two (2) drops |
| In the West, Sandalwood oil is perhaps best known | | | | Sandalwood and one (1) drop Patchouli in one |
| in the west as a natural, woody, sweet body | | | | tablespoon of carrier. These blends can also be |
| perfume used 'as is', or as a familiar aroma in many | | | | created for use in a diffuser by omitting the carrier |
| cosmetics, aftershaves and the like. In the east, | | | | oil. For a great perfume also with soothing qualities, |
| however, Sandalwood’s | | | | combine three parts Sandalwood and two parts |
| importance in cultural and spiritual traditions cannot be | | | | Vanilla oil - the blend produces a wonderful tropical |
| overstated. The wood is carved into furniture, | | | | island aroma. |
| religious icons, used to build temples and burned as | | | | Finally, Sandalwood is one of the few essential oils |
| incense in a great variety of ceremonies. The oil is | | | | which improves with age. Due to increasing demand, |
| used to anoint the dead, helping their transition to the | | | | the oil's price is climbing significantly every year - it |
| next life. In Burma, women sprinkle it on passersby | | | | can be worthwhile to purchase a little more than you |
| on the last day of the year for the release of sins. In | | | | think you'll need immediately, as storing it for some |
| Hindu marriages, Sandalwood is burned in a tent such | | | | time will only result in a richer oil in the future. Of |
| that the smoke surrounds the bridal couple. For the | | | | course, samples are also a great place to start, as |
| meditative yogi, the oil and incense encourage a | | | | you can first find a Sandalwood that truly suits you. |
| serene state of mind, supporting alignment of the | | | | |