Sandalwood (Santalum album) – is a small, evergreen tree. Interesting fact about it, is that it is a parasitic one. What it does, it attaches suckers to the roots of other trees. It is native of India and the best quality oil comes from the region called Mysore, hence the name Sandalwood Mysore , referring to the Santalum album species. This tree is so valuable; it is protected by the State government.
The trees are very slow growing and only very mature trees, about 30 years old are used for essential oil extraction. It is actually a very interesting process. The trunks are cut and left to dry and lie in the forests until insects; ants in particular, eat the outer bark of the tree, exposing the heartwood. The heartwood the ants wont eat.
It is this heartwood that is used for incense and the extraction of precious Sandalwood essential oil by steam distillation, which produces very thick and viscous oil with a very persistent aroma, when applied to the skin. This oil has been use for centuries in India in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and is very well known for its powerful affinity with urinary and respiratory tracts.
It is a great remedy for various infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis and bladder infections. It works great in combination with bergamot and chamomile.
- 1 oz of carrier oil, such as jojoba or grapeseed, add 6 drops sandalwood oil, 5 drops chamomile, 3 drops bergamot - shake gently and massage the lower abdomen, hips and lower back areas. Also try in a bath by adding oils not exceeding 10 drops total – 5dr Sandalwood, 3dr chamomile, 2dr bergamot.
It is a great pulmonary antiseptic and is of essence when it comes to coughing, especially spasmodic cough. It is one of the best oils to use in the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, and sore throat. The best way to treat that is via inhalations or topical application.
- Massaging 1 neat drop of sandalwood on your neck can relieve laryngitis. If sensitive ad one drop of carrier oil to it.
Externally Sandalwood is great for chapped, wrinkled, acne, dry skin types. It is healing, moisturizing and soothing when used in a rich oil base. It is very versatile oil for it can be used for oily and dry skin, acne and eczema and will sooth an itch.
Sandalwood has a masculine smell, however combined with rose otto or ylang-ylang, it will create a soft, sweet aroma that will please any woman and heal your dry skin.
It is important to know that the Australian Sandalwood oil from Eucarya spicata species produces inferior oil that does not offer the properties of the Santalum Album. The same goes for West Indian oil which is totally unrelated species with much less or no therapeutic value. A piece of good news: New Caledonia has great plantations of genuine Sandalwood.
Visit http://www.rejuvelate.com/index.php/products/anti-aging-argan-face-oils/for products with Sandalwood essential oil in the base of organic carrier oils of argan and other exotic base oils.
Natural Cures Not Medicine
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