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Sandalwood Facts

Sandalwood Facts
Sandalwood is an evergreen tree that belongs to the sandalwood family. There are 16 species of sandalwood that can be found in Asia, Australia and on the islands in the Pacific Ocean. Sandalwood grows on the sandy, loamy, clayey and rocky soil, in dry deciduous forest. It can be also found in deserts, valleys and mountains (from the sea level to the altitude of 8.000 feet). Sandalwood is source of essential oils that have application in medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The most valued species of sandalwood is Indian sandalwood which is at risk of extinction due to unsustainable harvest of the plants from the wild.
Interesting Sandalwood Facts:
Sandalwood can reach 33 to 66 feet in height.
Sandalwood is semi-parasite. That means that sandalwood can survive on its own, but it prefers to "steal" nutrients from the roots of nearby plants by using tube-like structures (modified roots) called haustoria. By doing so, sandalwood exhausts resources of the host plant and prevents its normal growth.
Sandalwood has large, leathery leaves, which resemble the leaves of laurel.
Sandalwood produces red flowers with 4 petals. Flowers are arranged in clusters at the end of the branches. They contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers).
Sandalwood blooms all year round. Flowers attract honey bees and ants, which are responsible for the pollination of these plants.
Fruit of sandalwood is round shaped and pea-sized. It contains one black seed.
Sandalwood is best known by its beautiful scent. Intensity of scent of sandalwood depends on the type of soil. Essential oils of best quality are produced on the very poor soil.
Sandalwood is ready for the harvest at the age of 30 to 60 years. Trees can be left in the wild during a period of couple of months (white termites remove bark and sapwood and leave heartwood, basic source of essential oils), or it can be processed mechanically.
Essential oils of sandalwood have antispasmodic (relieve spasm of muscles), antibacterial (kill bacteria) and antiviral (kill viruses) properties.
Sandalwood is used in treatment of inflammation, skin disorders, rashes, cough, fever, flu, hypertension and restlessness. Essential oils are used to improve functioning of liver, heart and stomach and to strengthen the gums of teeth and muscles.
Essential oils of sandalwood are used in the industry of perfumes, soaps and lotions. Sandalwood water ("leftover" of steam distillation) is used in the manufacture of aftershaves.
Pieces of sandalwood can be used as ingredient of chewing tobacco.
Ground sandalwood is often used for the preparation of incense sticks.
Hardwood of sandalwood was used for building the temples and statues of Hindu gods and elephants in India. Due to belief that sandalwood plays role in reincarnation, essential oils are often used in the funeral rituals and for embalming.
Sandalwood can survive more than 80 years in the wild.


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