Aromatherapy for the Mind Body and Spirit.
Sandalwood is unquestionably among the world’s most extensively used essential oils, highly valued for its scent in perfumery, because of its therapeutic effects in Eastern traditional medicine systems, as well as for its capacity to center your mind in meditative yogic traditions.
The Sandalwood essential oil is generally produced by using steam distillation from the wood from the Sandalwood tree, together with the heartwood from the roots creating the greatest possible superior essential oil. Sandalwood is distinctly an evergreen, growing to some height of 9 meters, with leather like leaves and small crimson flowers. Native to southern tropical Asia, the tree is parasitic, attaining its nutrition from a number of other tree species. Because of the very fact it must be exclusively grown this unique way, and because of its apparently strict specific group of environmental conditions, Sandalwood is hard to propagate. To increase the difficulty of effective cultivation, Sandalwood takes more than 25 – 30 years to mature before producing oil of any worth.
Sandalwood essential oil has a wood like, balsamic, sweet and slightly musky smell; it’s a pale yellow, greenish or brown liquid with excellent tenacity (the aroma includes an inclination to last a long time) and superior fixative qualities. You will find generally several types available, with Santalum Album is regarded as the most important therapeutically. The Mysore region of eastern India is recognized as producing the very best high quality of the oil, though its cropping is triggering a stress about the area’s natural atmosphere. Lately, an oil from the particular Austrocaledonia species has been created about the island of Vanuatu from effectively cultivated Sandalwood trees. This oil includes a fantastic aroma, plus a woodsy, smoky scent that may easily help remind you of being by a tropical beach. It is also a superb base note in perfume and cosmetic blends.
Within the Western world, Sandalwood oil is unquestionably most broadly known as natural and woodsy, with a sweet body perfume and used ‘as is’, or like a familiar aroma in several cosmetics, aftershave’s and the like. Within the Far East, however, Sandalwood’s importance in cultural and spiritual traditions can not be overstated. The wood is created into furniture, religious symbols, used to build temples and burned as incense celebrating a range of events. The oil is required to anoint the dead, helping their transition to another existence. In Burma, women sprinkle it on passersby and on other family members . In Hindu traditional culture, Sandalwood is burned inside a tent to ensure that the smoke surrounds the bridal couple. For the meditative yogi, the oil and incense encourage a tranquil state of mind, supporting alignment with the self and the universal Self.
Within the ancient medicine system of Ayurveda, Sandalwood is valued for it’s capacity to cool the hot pitta temperament. It’s indicated for inflammatory conditions, for example inflamed skin, or intestinal and genito-urinary issues that require cooling. Modern aroma therapists view the oil as an effective skin care agent for dried up skin, general irritation and acne it may assist in case of bronchitis, dry coughs, laryngitis or an irritated throat; it may relieve nausea, and may assist in cases of cystitis.
Sandalwood essential oil really is an excellent tonic for a hyper-active mind. In practical terms, the oil is regarded as being an anti-depressant through it’s capacity to alleviate hot, irritated emotional states, and to aid in release from over-thinking and worry. More esoterically, the aroma is regarded as ‘divinely sweet’ and softly balsamic, qualities which stimulate the grounding of the worldly element. It’s thought to release one from the ‘tyranny from the intellect’ which could easily cloud a person’s true character, delivering about an infinitely more peaceful condition unifying body, mind and spirit. Through this quiet, unified condition, meditation may influence profound transformation.
Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-
For ‘obsessive’ thinking – try 4 drops of Sandalwood and 2 drops of Vetiver in a single tablespoon of carrier oils (such as jojoba)
To obtain detached analytical thinking – try 3 drops Geranium, 2 drops Sandalwood and 1 drop Patchouli in a single tablespoon of carrier oil.
For a great perfume also with soothing characteristics – mix 3 parts Sandalwood and 2 parts Vanilla oil – the blend produces a wonderful tropical island aroma .
These blends may also be used inside a diffuser by omitting the carrier oil. The doses apply for general massage, reflexology, or utilized on the heart beat points and temples.
Finally, Sandalwood is among one of the few essential oils which enhances as time passes. Because of growing demand from clients, the oil’s cost is climbing considerably every single year. It may be useful to purchase a bit more than you believe you will need immediately, as storing it for a while will simply create a stronger oil for future use. Obviously, samples are an economical starting point, as you’ll be able to find a Sandalwood variety that appeals the most to you.