[1]Sandalwood. Image source: Wikipedia
One of the most prized essential oils, Indian sandalwood is known for having many health benefits, even if it isn’t as popular as other essential oils.
The oil is distilled from the fragrant inner wood of the sandalwood tree (Santalum album), a tree that takes about 40 years to mature and to produce oil at full potency. In recent times, they have become endangered – mainly owing to illegal logging – and there is now a world shortage of high quality Indian sandalwood oil.
As a result, producers have started looking to Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum), which is native to Western Australia, for an alternative supply. By managing these trees with care, the Australians can offer a sustainable source of sandalwood essential oil.
Australian sandalwood essential oil has a milder fragrance than the Indian form. Its chemical content is a bit different, but it offers the same benefits for both the mind and body.
Australian sandalwood oil has a deep, fruity-sweet smell and is antiseptic, astringent, soothing, relaxing, sedating and regarded as an aphrodisiac. In aromatherapy, it is used for meditation, insomnia, tension, stress, depression, loss of libido and emotional problems. For the body, it is said to nourish and regenerate dry or mature skin, help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and strengthen fingernails.
Using Sandalwood Essential Oil to Benefit the Mind
Australian sandalwood essential oil is also said to fortify an inner resolve to persevere through emotional challenges.
Here are several recipes that I use to aid in meditation and help with mental stress and hormonal mood swings:
For mental stress and burnout
- To ease mental stress and burnout, take a bath with three drops of Australian sandalwood essential oil and three drops of lavender essential oil.
To calm erratic emotions and even out mood
- Two drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Four drops rose geranium essential oil
- Four drops clary sage essential oil
- Four teaspoons sweet almond carrier oil
- Mix and apply the blend with gentle strokes anywhere on the body, letting it absorb into the skin.
To relieve the mental effects of PMS
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Three drops fennel essential oil
- Three drops mandarin essential oil
- Four teaspoons sunflower essential oil
- Mix and apply the blend with gentle strokes over the abdomen area to help manage symptoms, have more energy and feel more positive.
To soothe the pain of grief or loss
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Four drops rose otto essential oil
- Two drops bergamot essential oil
- Four teaspoons apricot kernal carrier oil
- Mix and massage the blend with gentle strokes into the temples or anywhere on the body.
For meditation
- A powerful aid to meditation, Australian sandalwood essential oil has aromatherapy properties that will help release you from the grip of anxiety, worry and guilt, and bring you back to a feeling of inner peace.
- Add sandalwood essential oil to a room diffuser, humidifier or candle oil burner to release the oil’s molecules into the air. Breathe in the scent.
- Add sandalwood essential oil to a bowl of steaming water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam.
Healing and Improving the Condition of Your Skin and Nails
[2]image source: Pixabay.com
For centuries in Egypt and India, sandalwood essential oil has been added in cosmetics and salves to preserve the beauty and youth of women and men. It is particularly beneficial in the relief of irritated skin, and has excellent properties for dry skin, mature skin and wrinkles. It is also a great fix for unhealthy nail issues.
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Here are some recipes that I use with Australian sandalwood essential oil for healing the body.
To rehydrate dry skin
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Three drops frankincense essential oil
- Three drops geranium essential oil
- Four teaspoons jojoba carrier oil
- Mix and apply (allow it to be fully absorbed) to affected areas of dry skin several times a day.
To rejuvenate and tighten wrinkled skin
- Six drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Two drops immortelle essential oil
- Two drops neroli essential oil
- Four teaspoons avocado carrier oil
- Mix and gently massage the blend into the affected areas of your skin.
To nourish mature skin
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Four drops neroli essential oil
- Four drops patchouli essential oil
- Four teaspoons wheat germ carrier oil
- Mix and gently massage the blend anywhere on the body.
To soften rough or tired-looking skin
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Three drops patchouli essential oil
- Three drops sweet orange essential oil
- Four teaspoons apricot carrier oil
- Mix and gently massage the blend into the skin where it is needed.
To soften calloused skin
- Four drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Three drops lavender essential oil
- Three drops tea tree essential oil
- Four teaspoons cranberry sead carrier oil
- Mix and apply the blend to the affected areas several times a day.
Nail treatment
- Three drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
- Three drops bay essential oil
- Four teaspoons argan oil
- Rub the mixture into the nails and cuticles several times a day to speed the growth of healthier, stronger nails.
Sandalwood essential oil has been used for centuries in meditation and for emotional clarity. It is also famous for healing and improving the condition of the skin and nails. With its fruity and sweet smell, it has become an absolute favorite of modern essential oil users!
Have you ever used sandalwood essential oil? How do you use it? Share your tips in the section below: