Herb's Introduction
Santalum album L., commonly known as Indian Sandalwood or White Sandalwood, is a highly prized, slow-growing, evergreen, semi-parasitic tree belonging to the family Santalaceae. It is globally renowned for its fragrant heartwood, which yields the precious Sandalwood oil. The plant holds immense significance in religious, cultural, and medicinal practices across South Asia, particularly in India and Nepal. It is considered one of the oldest and most valuable sources of natural fragrance, commanding high commercial value. Historically, it has been a core element of traditional systems of medicine, notably Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese Medicine, for its cooling, soothing, and antiseptic properties. Its deep, sweet, and woody aroma makes it an indispensable component in perfumery, cosmetics, and aromatherapy.
Name in Different Countries
The herb's esteemed status is reflected in its numerous names across different languages and regions, highlighting its widespread use: Language Names Common Name (English) Sandalwood, Indian Sandalwood, Fragrant Sandalwood, White Sandalwood Sanskrit अनिंदिता (Anindita), Bhadrasara, चंदनम् (Chandanam) Hindi चंदन (Chandan), संदल (Sandal) Bengali চংদন্ (Chandan), শ্ৱেতচংদন (Shwetchandan) Tamil சந்தநம் (Chandanam), Anukkam, Asam Telugu చందనం (Chandanamu), శ్రీగంధం (Sri Gandham), Bhadrasri Kannada Agarugandha, bavanna, bhadrasri, ಚಂದಲ (Chandala) Malayalam ചംദനമ് (Chandanam), chandana-mutti Marathi चंदन (Chandan), gandhachakoda Urdu Sandal safaid Oriya ଚନ୍ଦନ (Candana), valgaka Chinese 自檀香 (Bai tan xiang), 檀香 (Tan xiang), 檀香木 (Tan xiang mu) French Bois de santal, Santal blanc, Santal de l'Inde German Sandelholzbaum, Sandelholz weiß Arabic صندل (خشب) (Sandal - wood) Indonesian/Malay Cendana Export to Sheets
Terminology
Scientific Name: Santalum album L. Family: Santalaceae Active Constituents: The primary active components are Sesquiterpene Alcohols, mainly α-santalol (41-55%) and β-santalol (16-24%), which are responsible for its distinctive fragrance and therapeutic effects. Other constituents include saponins, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and fatty acids like ximenynic acid (in seeds). Parts Used: Primarily the Heartwood and the Essential Oil extracted from it. The seeds are also used for oil. Ayurvedic Properties (Rasa/Guna/Virya/Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta) / Light (Laghu), Dry (Rooksha) / Cold (Sheeta) / Pungent (Katu). It is known to pacify Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Availability
Santalum album is indigenous to peninsular India but has been naturalized and cultivated in other regions of South Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and in countries like Australia and Indonesia. In Nepal, it is considered an exotic species and is cultivated, particularly in the Terai and lower hill areas up to an elevation of around 1200 meters, such as in the Pyuthan district. It grows best in well-drained, loamy, or sandy soils. The high demand, coupled with its slow growth rate and extensive exploitation, has led to it becoming a protected species in some areas, and overharvesting and illegal logging pose significant threats. Sandalwood products, including the wood, powder, incense, and essential oil, are widely available through suppliers, online stores, and traditional markets in Nepal for medicinal, religious, and cosmetic purposes.
External Look
Tree: An evergreen, semi-parasitic tree that typically grows up to 10-15 meters high. Its semi-parasitic nature means it needs a host plant for optimal growth, drawing nutrients from the roots of nearby plants. Bark: The bark surface is dark grey to nearly black, rough, with short vertical cracks. Leaves: Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic, elliptic-ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, ranging from 3.7 to 12 cm long. They are glabrous, shiny above, and glaucous beneath, with an entire margin. Flowers: The small, bisexual flowers are about 5-6 mm across, starting reddish-purple in color, and are borne in axillary and terminal paniculate cymes. Fruit: The fruit is a globose drupe, 8-12 mm across, which turns blackish-purple upon ripening, and contains a single seed. Heartwood: The most valuable part is the heartwood (central part of the trunk and roots). It is yellow-brown in color, hard, with an oily texture, and is renowned for its intense, long-lasting, sweet, and woody fragrance. The outer part, the sapwood, is unscented and typically white or yellow.
Healing Properties
Sandalwood is highly valued in various traditional medicine systems for its wide range of properties: Antiseptic and Disinfectant: Effective against certain bacteria and viruses, notably used for the genitourinary and bronchial tracts. Anti-inflammatory and Cooling: The paste is famously applied externally to soothe local inflammations, reduce fever-related heat on the temples, and alleviate burning sensations and pruritus (itching) in skin diseases. Diuretic and Urinary Antiseptic: Helps in promoting the flow of urine and is used to manage inflammatory conditions of the efferent urinary tract like cystitis and gonorrhoea. Antipyretic: Possesses fever-reducing properties. Astringent and Styptic: Helps to check secretions, control hemorrhaging, and tighten tissues. Sedative and Anxiolytic: The essential oil is known for its calming, relaxing, and pacifying effects on the mind and nervous system, easing tension and anxiety. Anticancer: Components like α-santalol show potential anti-cancer activity, particularly against skin cancer, leukemia, and prostate cancer in some studies. Skin Health Promoter: Its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory action makes it beneficial for various skin diseases, acne, and for improving skin complexion.
Advantages
The advantages of Santalum album stem from its versatility and potent properties: High Therapeutic Efficacy: Used effectively for a broad spectrum of ailments, from urinary tract infections and gonorrhoea to skin diseases and fever. Calming and Aromatherapy Benefits: The unique fragrance of the oil has a profound relaxing effect, which is highly beneficial in aromatherapy for reducing stress, improving mood, and aiding in meditation. Cosmetic Superiority: Its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties make it an excellent natural ingredient in high-end cosmetics, perfumes, and skincare products. Cultural and Religious Significance: Beyond medicine, it holds deep spiritual value in Hinduism and Buddhism, being essential for rituals, prayer beads, and incense, symbolizing purity. Fixative Quality in Perfumery: Sandalwood oil serves as an excellent fixative, enhancing the longevity and depth of other fragrances in perfumes.
Uses
Santalum album is utilized in different forms across various disciplines: Area of Use Specific Applications Traditional Medicine (Internal) Treating fever (especially sunstroke/heatstroke), diarrhoea, dysentery, gastric irritation, cough, spermatorrhoea, gonorrhoea, cystitis, and urinary disorders. Used as an anti-aphrodisiac in Ayurveda. Traditional Medicine (External) Paste application on local inflammations, temples (for fever and headache), skin diseases (erysipelas, prurigo, acne) to allay heat, and on wounds (with salt water, in Madagascar). Sandalwood oil for scabies. Chinese Medicine Primarily for epigastric pain, chest pain, abdominal blockage, angina pectoris, and vomiting, as it moves and regulates qi and expels cold. Aromatherapy Used for its soothing, relaxing aroma to reduce confusion, balance the mind, ease headaches, and relieve dry cough. Cosmetics & Perfumery Essential oil used extensively in perfumes, soaps, creams, anti-wrinkle creams, and therapeutic oils for its fragrance and skin benefits. Religious & Cultural Wood is crafted into prayer beads, incense, and temple carvings. The paste is applied to the forehead (tilak) as a symbol of purity and to keep the pituitary gland cool. Used in funeral rites to guide the soul. Export to Sheets
Using way
The usage of Sandalwood is determined by the required therapeutic effect: As a Paste/Emulsion (External Application): The heartwood is traditionally rubbed with water on a stone (or processed into fine powder/paste) to be applied topically. For Fever and Headache: Applied to the temples and forehead to draw out heat and provide a cooling effect. For Skin Inflammation/Diseases: Applied directly to the affected area to reduce heat, itching, and inflammation (e.g., prickly heat, erysipelas, acne). Internal Administration (Decoction, Infusion, or Pills): For Urinary Disorders/Gonorrhoea: A watery emulsion of the wood, sometimes mixed with sugar, honey, or rice water, can be consumed orally. In Nepal, it is used as an infusion with water cooked in rice. Powdered wood mixed with milk is also made into pills. For Digestive Issues: Taken internally as a part of formulations for gastric irritability, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Essential Oil: Aromatherapy: Diffused into the air, or a few drops are added to bathwater or a carrier oil for massage to induce relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote sleep. Topical (Diluted): Used in low concentrations, mixed with carrier oils or creams for skin care, acne, and anti-scabies treatment. Incense/Aromatic: The powdered wood is used to make incense sticks (joss sticks) and cones for religious and spiritual practices, providing a calming atmosphere. Note: Due to the internal use of Santalum album in traditional medicine for genitourinary disorders, it is often advisable to use it in combination with other diuretic or urinary disinfecting drugs. Internal use should be avoided by pregnant/breastfeeding women and individuals with kidney diseases.
Conclusion
Santalum album (Sandalwood or Chandan) is far more than a fragrant wood; it is a profound natural medicine, a spiritual cornerstone, and an economic asset, especially within the context of Medicinal Plants of Nepal and South Asia. Its heartwood and essential oil offer powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and cooling properties, making it invaluable in treating urinary tract infections, skin ailments, and fever. The plant's deep, calming aroma provides significant psychological benefits in aromatherapy, helping to mitigate stress and anxiety. Despite its high value and numerous advantages, the species faces conservation challenges due to over-exploitation. Sustainable cultivation and adherence to strict harvesting regulations, as implemented in Nepal, are crucial to ensure that this fragrant treasure continues to serve humanity in medicine, wellness, and tradition for future generations.
