Sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from a tree native to the East Indies, and found growning wild throughout the South Pacific. The Australian variety has a woody, balsamic, deep and complex aroma (this one is one of the owner's favorite Sandalwoods of all time :-)

A recent customer just sent us this note: "This is a deep, honeyed, balsamic and slightly floral Australian oil at a terrific price. Ten years from now, this is the oil that people will wish they had stocked up on, in the same way that people are currently saying: Oh crud, I could have bought Indian oil from 80-year-old heartwood! Your oil is great right now, (and) it's going to age into something truly spectacular!"

This classic Aussy Sandalwood is a soft yellow and viscous fluid, with excellent tenacity (the aroma naturally lasts a long time). Sandalwood is known for its superior fixative properties, used in both therapeutic blending and natural perfumery. Australian sandalwood has been the subject of heated debate in terms of 'the ultimate sandalwood essential oil' ~ we think this one may have you agree that Australian Sandalwood is a beutiful, unique and therapeutic essential oil in a class of it's own.

The long history of Sandalwood in the cultural and spiritual life of Asia cannot be overstated. The wood was carved into furniture, temples, and religious icons; it is burned as an incense in Buddhist and Hindu temples, and retains an important place in Tibetan and traditional Chinese medicines. The oil is high in sesquiterpenes, a class of compound which has been studied in Europe for its stimulating of the pineal gland and the limbic region of the brain - the center of our emotions.

Sandalwood has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, traditionally as a skin tonic, and for yogic meditative practice. It may be beneficial for both acne and dry skin; it has also been used to treat chronic bronchitis.

The oil's aroma is relaxing, uplifting and gently sedative, considered to have antidepressant effects. Sandalwood may also be helpful in cases where depression has lead to sexual difficulties, and can support the nervous system and circulation.

The Australian Sandalwood oil is a perfect choice where Indian sandalwood is called for ~ the only noticable difference being that a fine Indian variety may have a unique, sweet top note ~ lending itself to unique perfume blends. Indian sandalwood oil is becoming increasingly rare, and it may be best to allow the natural Sandalwood jungles of India to re-establish themselves. We think you may find this Australian variety well-suited to your aromatic and therapeutic needs.

To learn more about the use of all our essential oils, we encourage you to visit The Ananda Apothecary Forums, where you can post questions regarding specific applications of each oil. Questions in the forums are regularly answered by Ananda Apothecary staff, and other experienced aromatherapy practitioners.