Sandalwood trees belong to a class of fragrant woods of the genus Santalum.the much prized wood of these trees is heavy,yellow and fine-grained,retaining its fragrance for decades.In a strange paradox,these sacred trees are botanically classified as hemi-parasitic evergreens,for they are equipped with special structures on their roots that penetrate the roots of host plants for the extraction of nutrients.
Sixteen species of sandalwood are found in various regions of the world,including Australia and Hawaii,but the most well known and economically important variety is the Indian sandalwood known as Santalum album.This variety possesses the highest oil content (6-7%) and the best aroma profile.It is indigenous to South India,growing in the western ghats and mountain ranges like Kalrayan and Shivalik hills. The highest quality of sandalwood trees is found in Mysore in Karnataka and in the Marayoor forest in Kerela. In these regions the tree reaches its prime in 50-60 years, at which point the tree has a girth of 2-3 feet and a height of up to 60 feet.
Unlike most trees, sandalwood is harvested by toppling the entire tree, so as to tap the richest heartwood from the stump and root. To be commercially viable, this is done when the tree is a minimum of 14 years old, but 30 years is preferable.
USAGES
In literature , the first mention of sandalwood occurs in the Ramayan, written thousands of years ago. In medieval times, the Maharaja of Mysore declared sandalwood as the "royal" tree.
Sixteen species of sandalwood are found in various regions of the world,including Australia and Hawaii,but the most well known and economically important variety is the Indian sandalwood known as Santalum album.This variety possesses the highest oil content (6-7%) and the best aroma profile.It is indigenous to South India,growing in the western ghats and mountain ranges like Kalrayan and Shivalik hills. The highest quality of sandalwood trees is found in Mysore in Karnataka and in the Marayoor forest in Kerela. In these regions the tree reaches its prime in 50-60 years, at which point the tree has a girth of 2-3 feet and a height of up to 60 feet.
Unlike most trees, sandalwood is harvested by toppling the entire tree, so as to tap the richest heartwood from the stump and root. To be commercially viable, this is done when the tree is a minimum of 14 years old, but 30 years is preferable.
USAGES - In Hinduism, sandalwood paste is integral to rituals and ceremonies. Buddhists believe that the scent transforms desires and maintains alertness during meditation. It also forms an important part of Zoroastrain fire ceremonies.
- Sandalwood has always been used as an important therapeutic herb not only in Ayurveda, but also in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. For more than 2000 years it has been used as a key ingredient in perfumes and incense, and in lotions and body oils.
- The traditional therapeutic applications of sandalwood include its use as a carminative and digestive muscle relaxant for the treatment of complications arising from diarrhea, nausea, colic and gastrits.
- The anti-spasmodic properties of sandalwood oil and heartwood have been used by traditional physicians for treating bronchitis, coughs and sore throat.
- Sandalwood essential oil is considered to have valuable applications for skin ailments, since its main component betasantalol has anti- microbial properties. It is known to clear the skin of acne, blackheads and spots, but should be properly diluted with a carrier oil because of its strength.
- Sandalwood is an excellent moisturizer and nourisher for the skin, considered especially useful for the reduction of wrinkles by cosmetologists.
- In the realm of mental and emotional medicine sandalwood treats depression, stress and nervous tension. It is both a sedative and a tonic.
- It reduces body heat because of its cool soothing effect on the body.
- Alternative medicine considers sandalwood to bring one close to the Divine due to its high spiritual vibrations. Wearing of sandalwood beads is believed to protect and promote spiritual awarness, and sprinkling the powder to clear a place of its negativity.
- Because of its resistance to white ants, the wood had been used in ancient times in the contstruction of houses.
In literature , the first mention of sandalwood occurs in the Ramayan, written thousands of years ago. In medieval times, the Maharaja of Mysore declared sandalwood as the "royal" tree.