Sensuous Sandalwood Oil
With a sweet, rich and woody aroma, not to mention a multitude of natural therapeutic benefits, Sandalwood Essential Oil has become one of the most desirable oils for personal care and wellbeing.
While the distinctive scent makes Sandalwood a popular choice in perfumery, especially in men’s colognes, the oil’s health benefits make it a first choice for many users. Abundant in a unique natural compound, alpha-santalol, Sandalwood Oil has the power to reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote relaxation. Sandalwood is also said to help alleviate a range of physical issues, from headaches and inflammation to chest infections and fevers. With therapeutic properties for skin and hair, it’s become a popular additive to many personal care products; many people simply dilute Sandalwood with a carrier oil and apply it directly to their skin and hair to appreciate its benefits.
All this goodness makes Sandalwood an indispensable, all-purpose oil for any collection. As if that wasn’t enough, many users also consider Sandalwood one of the best oils for spiritual use.
Where Does Sandalwood Oil Come From?
Extracted from the heart and roots of the Santalum tree genus, Sandalwood Oil has a long history in health and wellness that stretches back several centuries and cultures to ancient times.
- The Greeks cottoned on to its cooling properties and are said to have used Sandalwood medicinally to calm fevers.
- The Chinese used Sandalwood similarly to alleviate fevers, as well as to promote relaxation and soothe skin irritations.
- The Egyptians used sandalwood in the embalming ritual, as an ingredient in perfumes and to cleanse the body and mind.
Yet it was the Hindus and Buddhists in ancient India who first believed Sandalwood had a purpose that stretched beyond the physical into the spiritual.
And while lots of people swear by Sandalwood to this day, with its beautiful and unique scent and wide-ranging benefits, it continues to have a huge following in spiritual circles too.
Spiritual Sandalwood Oil
The link between Sandalwood and spirituality has only gained momentum since ancient times, with Hindus and Buddhists continuing to value this oil within their religious rituals.
Why is Sandalwood spiritual?
Hindus believe Sandalwood stimulates the pineal gland, a crucial brain component that regulates sleep and circadian rhythms, connecting us to our higher self and the divine.
Buddhists feel similarly about Sandalwood Oil and believe its power to improve focus and calmness results in greater meditation.
As such, both continue to use Sandalwood Oil in spiritual practices today to enhance the overall experience. Yet this isn’t restricted to Hinduism and Buddhism - there are many other religious groups that incorporate Sandalwood Oil in their rituals, including Christians, Muslims, Taoists, and New Age Spiritualists. Beyond religious circles, you will also find Sandalwood Oil used by all manner of people - mindfulness practitioners, yogis, aromatherapists, psychologists, high-performance athletes, entrepreneurs, tribal communities and individuals seeking personal growth.
In short, if you’re looking for an essential oil to help you connect at a higher level, whether that’s for religious purposes or simply to increase clarity, self-awareness and overall well-being, Sandalwood Oil can help you.
How to Use Sandalwood Oil Spiritually
When it comes to using Sandalwood Oil spiritually, there are several methods to consider. Here are some of the popular ones used to appreciate the full benefits of sensuous Sandalwood Oil.
- Meditation Aid: Diffuse Sandalwood Oil in your meditation space to deepen your practice, calm the mind, and enhance spiritual awareness.
- Anointing Oil: Apply diluted Sandalwood Oil to the forehead or pulse points during prayer or ritual for spiritual protection and to open the third eye.
- Cleansing Rituals: Use Sandalwood Oil in a cleansing bath or diffuse as part of a ceremony to purify your energy and create a sacred space.
- Chakra Balancing: Diffuse or apply diluted Sandalwood Oil to balance and align the chakras, particularly the root and crown chakras.
- Enhancing Intuition: Inhale Sandalwood Oil or dilute and apply during divination to heighten intuition and spiritual insight.
- Sacred Scents: Use Sandalwood Oil in a diffuser to create a holy, peaceful atmosphere in your home or spiritual sanctuary.
- Manifestation Rituals: Incorporate Sandalwood Oil into manifestation rituals to amplify intentions and connect with higher energies.
Sandalwood Oil and Aromatherapy
With its rich, woody fragrance and ability to promote relaxation and spiritual well-being, it’s no surprise Sandalwood Essential Oil has become a staple in aromatherapy practices.
Below are some of the ways you can incorporate Sandalwood into aromatherapy:
- Stress Relief: Diffuse Sandalwood Oil in your home or workspace to create a calming environment that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
- Sleep Aid: Add a few drops of Sandalwood Oil to a diffuser or pillow spray before bedtime to help improve sleep quality and combat insomnia.
- Anxiety Reduction: Inhale Sandalwood Oil directly from the bottle or apply it to a tissue and breathe in deeply to help reduce feelings of anxiety and tension.
- Mood Enhancement: Combine Sandalwood Oil with other uplifting essential oils like Bergamot or Lavender in a diffuser to elevate mood and create a positive atmosphere.
- Focus and Clarity: Diffuse Sandalwood Oil in your study or work area to enhance concentration, mental clarity, and focus during tasks that require sustained attention.
- Meditation Support: Use Sandalwood Oil in a personal inhaler or aromatherapy necklace to carry its grounding scent during meditation or mindfulness practices.
- Skin Care Treatment: Add Sandalwood Oil to a facial steam or blend it with a carrier oil for a calming facial massage that nourishes the skin and soothes the mind.
Other Sandalwood Oil Uses
Beyond meditation and spiritual practises, Sandalwood Oil has many other uses and has become one of the preferred natural remedies for supporting health and wellness.
In skincare, Sandalwood Oil is a versatile ingredient, said to offer anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe irritated skin, antimicrobial properties to help combat infections and acne, and powerful antioxidants to prevent premature aging. Its antiseptic qualities can accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring, while its moisturising effect keeps skin soft and supple. Additionally, sandalwood acts as a natural astringent, tightening pores and improving skin elasticity.
In haircare, Sandalwood Oil benefits all hair types, helping to balance oil production in oily hair with its natural astringent properties, while deeply hydrating and nourishing dry, brittle strands to improve texture and shine. It’s also effective for managing combination hair and enhancing the strength, volume, and shine of normal hair, all while leaving a pleasant woody aroma.
Safety
As with all essential oils, which are highly concentrated and potent liquids, you must dilute when applying topically and use Sandalwood Oil with caution.
In most cases, Sandalwood Essential Oil is great for hair care although in some people, it may cause irritation. For this reason, we always recommend performing a patch test before you begin using your oil regularly for hair care.
Sandalwood Oil is not designed for oral consumption and can cause serious harm if ingested. We recommend using your Sandalwood Oil for external purposes only.
Finally, we recommend storing your Sandalwood Oil in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children or pets.