Updated 27 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnolopsida
- Order: Santalales
- Family: Santalaceae
- Genus: Santalum
- Part used: Wood
- Country of origin: China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Northern Australia
Precautions for use
Sandalwood essential oil can be used by various routes, although the oral route requires medical advice.
Can be a pure skin irritant, always use diluted to 20%.
People with asthma, epilepsy, renal failure, hormone dependent pathology, haemophilia or on anticoagulant treatment should not use this essential oil.
Other precautions
Cutaneous use:
- Sandalwood essential oil must be diluted for use on the skin: 20% in vegetable oil (20% essential oil in 80% vegetable oil).
Ingestion:
- The oral route can only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Diffusion:
- Pregnant women over 3 months, children and infants can use this essential oil in air diffusion for short periods.
Contraindications:
- Sandalwood essential oil should not be used by those prone to allergic reactions.
- Always carry out an allergy test in the crease of the elbow before use.
- People with asthma or epilepsy should seek medical advice before use.
- This essential oil is contraindicated for people suffering from kidney failure, hormone dependent pathology, haemophilia or under anticoagulant treatment.
- This essential oil should be used for short periods and in small doses.
Authorised users
How to use
Inhalation
Cutaneous
Oral
DiffusionRisks of use
Skin irritation
Properties
- Venous and lymphatic decongestant
- Pulmonary, genital and urinary antiseptic
- Cardiac tonic
- Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
- Antispasmodic
- Diuretic
- Antiseptic
- Mucolytic
Indications
- Cystitis
- Cardiac weakness
- Prostatitis
- Wrinkles
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Varicose veins
- Haemorrhoids
- Loss of libido
- Sexual fatigue
- Pelvic congestion
- Collibacillosis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Rheumatic pain
- Sciatica
Directions for use/usual dosage
- For inflammation and joint pain, use as a topical massage in combination with other essential oils and a vegetable oil.
- To prepare for meditation and banish mental chatter, apply a drop of sandalwood essential oil to the 3rd eye.
- To stimulate sexual desire, massage along the spine with a few drops of this essential oil mixed with a vegetable oil.
- For skin problems, apply locally in the morning and evening mixed with a vegetable oil to regenerate the skin.
- For urinary tract infections, massage into the lower abdomen mixed with a vegetable oil, or add to sitz bath water.
Find out more
Sandalwood has long been used as a building material for temples and other dwellings. Its export for carpentry was eventually banned because of the risk of over-exploitation. Sandalwood is best harvested from old trees, but can be sold from the age of 7. However, the tree is still heavily exploited for its essential oil, which is becoming increasingly expensive.