Sandalwood essential oil can be extremely useful for various types of mental and physical health conditions. You can use it as a paste and apply it to the skin, or inhale it using a diffuser.
This oil has been used for centuries in foreign lands and now we are learning how it can help remedy everything from acne to high blood pressure.
Essential oils can be extremely beneficial to our everyday lives. Over the years, we have learned that these special oils that have been used for generations in other countries such as Asia and Africa, can be used for various medicinal purposes.
Many people are starting to use essential oils as healing methods which allow them to use more natural ingredients and fewer over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
One popular oil that offers healing, enigmatic, and protective properties, while also giving off a pleasant fragrance is sandalwood.
The oil is derived from the Santalum plant, which is a slow-growing tree native to South Asia. If you are interested in ways to use sandalwood essential oils, here are a few of the most popular benefits.
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1. Powerful and All-Natural Pain Relief
According to research that was published in 2000 by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, the active ingredient found in sandalwood oil known as alpha-santalol or a. santalol was found to have analgesic effects.
A test that was performed on lab rats showed that the oil could help with binding the delta opioid receptors, in other words, it could decrease the effects of pain modulation by regulating dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.
The research also showed that it could be beneficial for patients who suffer from anxiety and depression, a. santalol was shown to have similar effects to the drug chlorpromazine (Thorazine).
To use sandalwood oil for pain relief mix it with a carrier oil such as olive oil to create a pain relief ointment. Rub it onto sore muscles, knees, or joints to help relieve all types of pain.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops of sandalwood oil to your diffuser and inhale it for relief from headaches and migraines.
2. A Natural Remedy for Insomnia
There are many people all over the world that deal with sleep issues. Some may just have trouble falling asleep at times, or they are not getting enough sleep at night, while other deal with the ongoing struggle of insomnia that robs them of their sleep consistently.
For many years, sandalwood oil has been used as a natural sleep aid and remedy for insomnia. This is due to the impact that the ingredients a. santalol and b. santalol have on the user’s central nervous system.
A study that was performed in 2007 showed that inhaling sandalwood oil caused a sedative effect on lab rats. The inhalation of the oil was shown to increase the duration of non-REM sleep, which could be very helpful for individuals who had trouble staying asleep at night.
It was noted that the therapeutic action of santalols worked through the user’s circulatory system and was absorbed into the blood through respiration.
To use sandalwood oil for sleep issues, add a few drops to your hands or to a piece of cloth and place over your nose. Breath in deeply for thirty seconds. The aromatic scent will trigger the endorphins in your brain which will cause you to calm down naturally.
3. Increases Alertness and Concentration
While it may seem strange that the same essential oil that can help you sleep can also cause you to be more alert, recent studies have shown that inhaling the oil at high concentrations can help to stimulate us both mentally and physically.
The study used a much high concentration of sandalwood oil than usual recommended dosage, however, it showed that it had a positive effect on the subject’s respiration rate, body temperature, and their blood pressure.
It even improves the subject’s autonomic nervous system by elevating their pulse and skin conductance, which is the act where the skin is temporarily better at conducting electricity. Researchers observed that the high levels of sandalwood oil helped to increase alertness and enhance the subject’s mood.
Although there is still a lot of research that needs to be done to determine the effectiveness of sandalwood oil and alertness, there are several suggestions on how to use the oil for brain power.
One recommendation is to mix sandalwood with cedarwood, Melissa, Frankincense, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum with a carrier oil and apply 1 to 2 drops to the back of the neck in the morning and at bedtime, or add to a diffuser while you sleep.
Related: 25 Reasons To Starting Using Lavender Essential Oil Daily
4. It Includes Anti-Bacterial Agents
Sandalwood oil is a botanical product and these have been used for ages as both antibacterial and anti-viral agents. Essential oils have proven to be a great alternative to antibiotics when curing fungi, bacteria, or difficult viruses.
Sandalwood has been known to treat infections such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as well as antimycotic-resistant Candida strains. It has also been shown in some studies to halt the spread of the herpes simplex virus, type 1 and type 2.
There is currently no cure for either of these viruses. The use of sandalwood oil prior to infection was shown to reduce the rate of HSV type 1 by as much as 95.9%.
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5. It is Anti-Inflammatory
Sandalwood essential oil has been shown to have the same effects as common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, all without the side effects.
The active ingredients in sandalwood are known to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. There is also speculation that sandalwood oil could be an effective treatment for skin conditions such as sunburn, psoriasis, warts, and other forms of inflammation.
A study posted in the Frontiers in Pharmacology Journal talks about the possible inflammatory benefits of sandalwood oil.
6. An Ideal Treatment for Acne
A clinical trial that was published in 2012 showed that sandalwood is a great treatment for facial acne. Using a mixture of sandalwood oil and salicylic acid, the test subjects which included teens and adults who had mild to moderate acne showed that 89% had a reduction in acne lesions and skin inflammation.
To try this remedy for yourself, mix sandalwood powder with rose water to create a paste, apply to the affected area. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off.
To learn how to create a helpful face pack using sandalwood oil for acne treatment, check out this video.
7. Sandalwood Oil Can be Soothing and Stimulating
As mentioned earlier, sandalwood essential oil can be used to promote mental clarity. So, it would be no surprise that it would also help create feelings of relaxation and peace.
A study that was performed in 2006 showed that applying the oil to the skin would promote a feeling of harmony, and a present, clear, and calm awareness.
Related: 10 Reasons to Use An Essential Oil Diffusers In Your Home
8. It Can Help Relieve the Effects of Anxiety and Depression
By adding sandalwood oil to your diffuser and inhaling it, you can increase the production of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which helps promote calmness and boosts your mood.
These are the same ingredients found in many antidepressant medications, however, sandalwood oil doesn’t have the same side effects as prescription drugs.
9. Sandalwood Oil is a Known Natural Aphrodisiac
Many people may not be aware of this special power that sandalwood oil has. It can help to increase your libido, especially for men, and it can also promote energy as well.
It is an excellent oil to use when giving a massage or it may also be added to any type of topical lotion to improve your mood.
10. Use it to Boost Your Memory
We have already discussed how sandalwood oil can help with mental clarity, and that means it can also help improve your memory as well. If you can focus and concentrate better, you are more likely to remember important details easier.
If you have trouble remembering names or tasks that need to be done each day due to stress, you can add a few drops of sandalwood oil to your diffuser to improve your mental clarity and give your memory a much-needed boost.
The oil helps to stimulate the brain’s limbic and pineal areas which affect memory and emotions, according to an article on healthyfocus.org.
11. The Perfect Remedy for Coughs and Respiratory Illnesses
The next time you experience a cough or cold, instead of reaching for the cough syrup, try using sandalwood oil instead. This essential oil works as an expectorant and can be effective in relieving coughs.
It can also fight viral infections which are the primary cause of colds, the flu, and various other illnesses.
12. Decreases Blood Pressure
Sandalwood can be very useful when it comes to lowering your high blood pressure. Add it to a glass or milk or water to bring your numbers down quickly. You may also consider creating a paste of sandalwood oil and applying it to various parts of the body for the same effect.
A study posted in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation showed the positive effects of sandalwood oil and Ylang-Ylang on heart rate and blood pressure in men.
13. May Be Used as a Helpful Diuretic
Since sandalwood oil has calming and anti-inflammatory agents, it also helps to calm down inflammation in the urinary tract while increasing relaxation to promote the easy passage of urine.
It can help to increase the frequency of urination and treat various infections such as bladder or kidney infections because it works to flush out harmful toxins.
14. A Great Overall Tonic for All Types of Ailments
As you can see, sandalwood essential oil can be used for a wide range of illnesses and health conditions. Due to its effectiveness, it has been used over the years as a safe and efficient tonic for people of all ages, especially children.
Unlike many other essential oils, sandalwood can be safely administered to children. It can help to soothe an upset stomach and restore balance to your digestive, nervous, or circulatory system.
Sandalwood Essential Oil Has Some Outstanding Benefits
Sandalwood essential oil has been used for centuries to help with a variety of mental and physical conditions. Now, there have not been any risks found with this oil, aside from it is not recommended to be used raw on the skin.
To apply sandalwood oil, you should always mix it with a type of carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil.
There are various other herbs that can be mixed with sandalwood to create enticing scents. Try using Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, or Black Pepper to enhance your aromatherapy.
Whether you use sandalwood oil for health issues or to help provide you with better clarity throughout the day, it is safe to say that this is one essential oil that everyone should keep on hand.