Present in many iconic perfumes and beauty products, sandalwood has a long history in ancient cultures for its scent and health benefits. It gives off a deep, woody scent and often smells like a mix of floral, balsamic, and sweet accents. Sandalwood is quite a mood enhancer, rendering us feeling calm, relaxed and even loved! Sandalwood oil is extracted from the dried wood of the plants, using a process known as steam distillation. It originates from the East Indian sandalwood plant; both the heartwood and the roots of these precious plants are used to make sandalwood essential oil.
But in terms of aromatherapy, how can we benefit from sandalwood?
As a sensational massage oil
Dilute a few drops of sandalwood oil with 10ml of carrier oil of your choice, such as jojoba, olive or coconut oil, and gently massage the oil mixture into the skin. Note: if you’ve never used sandalwood before, start off with fewer drops of it, and gradually add on as you get used to it.
- For a decadent bath
Run a warm bath and add 5 to 10 drops of sandalwood oil, and soak in it, allowing its aroma to relax and calm you. Bliss!
- Fill your room air with its rich scent
Put 8 to 10 drops into a diffuser with water, and allow the rich, musky scent permeate your room. Warning: Sandalwood is known for its aphrodisiac properties too!
- Inhale it
Feeling down? Breathe it in directly from your essential oil bottle. Alternatively, you can sprinkle a couple of drops of it on to your handkerchief to sniff on.
- Apply it topically
Dilute a few drops of sandalwood essential oil with a carrier oil and then apply it to your temples, between your forehead, the soles of your feet or other parts of your body to help you feel grounded and comforted.
Did you know?
Sandalwood trees aren’t trees per say, but rather, they’re plants that attach themselves to the roots of other trees and grow on them. They can grow to a height of 10 metres.
