The Significant Scientific Research-Supported Healthy Benefits Of Sandalwood Essential Oil


Sandalwood is both a vintage scent and a classic medicine. Used as an aromatic for more than 4000 years, and as a medicine in the Ayurvedic technique for maybe a millennium, the timber on its own has been considerably valued by mankind. The essential oil, while only becoming popular within the last hundred years, is an incredibly classic scent, with important science-proven remedial medicinal functions. Whether it be for the body or mind, sandalwood oil typical offers effective support.

To begin with just a little backdrop -- sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. Sounds pretty simple, until you find out that sandalwood is actually a parasite; it grows only on certain other trees in tropical environments. The tree needs to be planted adjacent to the best host tree, already of a specific age, for it to climb up. When harvesting the wood, which is extremely slow to grow, both trees need to be cut down. Clearly this presents issues for this important resource.

The harvesting of the timber in India, where the premium specimens are thought to be from, has been stopped by the authorities in order to safeguard the tropical rain forests. Elsewhere in the world, harvesting is regulated to ensure the demise of the rain forests in The Indian subcontinent does not happen again for this reason.

It is clear that for the reasons of uniqueness alone, the essential oil is a thing to be cherished. However, the oil has certain very impressive and important medicinal characteristics that make it even more valuable. One practical application is a direct derivation of the use of the wood's paste for skin care: The essential oil has been shown to prevent the occurrence of skin cancer if put on before exposure to UVB light as well as chemo-toxins.

Research workers at South Dakota State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, noted "alpha-santalol, a major component of sandalwood oil, works well in preventing UVB-induced skin cancer development." Research workers at the University of Colorado, Denver, noted that the oil triggered apoptosis (normal cell death) of cells which were on their way to becoming cancerous. Obviously the essential oil makes an important therapeutic contribution to skin care formulations.

The aroma is highly regarded for its calming, centering qualities, without being sedating. In Vienna, Austria scientists published a report where participants were positively affected in the areas of alertness, attentiveness, calmness, mood, enjoyment and vigor. This correlates to its long-time use as the first preference aromatic in aiding meditation.

Curiously, the oil in addition has been researched for supporting deeper, more peaceful sleep. The essential oil works both when breathed in and when topically applied. One study examining the effects of inhaling santalol, the primary natural constituent of the oil, found this ingredient could result in a significant decrease in the time spent tossing and turning in sleep-disturbed subjects, and also increased the total time spent in REM sleep.

So you will notice that sandalwood oil has some marvelous, valuable therapeutic activity -- features that everyone can take pleasure in. The most common are Australian as well as South Pacific, though you may still come across some Indian available through specialty sources. You will find they have subtly different aromas, and you might have a strong preference for one over another. Once you discover an oil you like, buy some to put away! Sandalwood improves (and more costly) with age -- you'll have an exquisite oil for you and your family to really enjoy now and on into the future.

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