General Properties

• antibacterial
• antifungal
• anti-inflammatory
• antimicrobial
• cytotoxic
• demulcent
• relaxant

Description

Australian Sandalwood is steam distilled from the wood of the evergreen tree. Santalum spicatum is a small evergreen tree or shrub that can grow up to 8 metres in the wilds of Western and Southern Australia. Plantation trees are generally 4-5 metres tall. They can take 5-10 years before they produce essential oils, but to get top quality oils the trees must be around 25 years old!

Aromatherapists report that Santalum spicatum is equal to Santalum album for traditional uses and, as they become more familiar with it, Santalum spicatum will show a greater depth of appliation and eventually become the aromatherapy Sandalwood. Due to the fact that supplies of East Indian Sandalwood are rapidly dwindling (to the point of extinction) and costs are escalating, Australian Sandalwood is now the only Sandalwood we offer.

Australian Sandalwood contains bisabolols and farnesol in significant amounts and a high level of nuciferols. The presence of bisabolols are very similar to the bisabolols found in German Chamomile. Also found in Australian Sandalwood is farnesol, which can be found in floral essential oils like Rose, Ylang ylang and Jasmine. This modifies the deep earthy sandalwood scent everyone is familar with to make it greener and fresher smelling, with the wood-like presence lingering in the background. Farnesol is believed to have anti-bacterial properties. In skincare, Sandalwood is wonderfully soothing for treating dry, dehydrated skin. Combined with Lavender in an appropriate carrier oil it is wonderful for dry, itchy skin. On its own, in a carrier oil, it is great for red, inflammed skin. Australian Sandalwood can be blended with other oils to be used as an inhalant to help relieve dry coughs and also help to clear chest and nasal congestion. It may also help clear infections in the respiratory tract.

Mentally, Australian Sandalwood has been described as the 'fragrance of the subtle body.' It has a calming and harmonising effect to help to reduce tension, fear, confusion and anxiety. It is a great oil to use when unwinding after a long and stressful day. It helps to encourage warmth, understanding and meaningful contact. As with the East Indian Sandalwood, Australian Sandalwood is considered an aphrodisiac, especially for men. It is said to be a very emotional oil, helping to bring out desires that would otherwise remain hidden.

Australian Sandalwood blends well with Lavender, Vetivert, Orange, and Eucalyptus Radiata.

Specific Cautions

References

Information about this essential oil came from the following sources:

1. Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Fragrant Pharmacy. (Toronto: Bantam Books, 1990)
2. Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z. (United Kingdom: Saffron Walden, 1988)
3. Tisserand, Robert and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety. (Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1995)

Note and Disclaimer

The information and opinions provided here are for general educational purposes only and do not replace medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult a suitably qualified medical practitioner to ensure that you will not have any medical problems from any of our products.

Product Specifications