Aromix Group

I love using an essential oils diffuser. I have a couple, both of which cost me just under $12. I use mine mainly in the lounge, on an evening. I have a variety of different oils that I use in them, but my favorite (I guess because of the scent) is Sandalwood. Generally, Sandalwood is used for reducing stress and relaxation purposes – and I can’t say that I disagree with its intended purpose.

It’s been in use around the world for several thousand years, due to it’s beneficial, tension releasing properties. It comes from the Santalum genus, of which there are more than one. Chiefly the Santalum Album and the Santalum Spicatum, otherwise known as the Sandal tree, and situated in India and Australia respectively.

The trees are protected, this because they’re slow to mature and low in number. In some parts of the world, particularly India, there are incidents of ‘tree poaching’, whereby individuals damage immature trees in order to harvest the oil for monetary gain.

Sandalwood Tree

The Sandalwood tree reaches maturity somewhere between sixty and eighty years into its growth cycle. The oil itself is gathered from the tree roots and the heart-wood. This is where the oil is at its most concentrated. The amount of oil yielded is related to the tree’s age. A mature sandal tree will produce higher levels of oil.

Typically, an Australian sandalwood tree will be harvested anywhere between it’s twelfth and twentieth year. Interestingly, the trees are never cut using the traditional felling method. They’re uprooted, as a means of harvesting the oil from the heart-wood and the tree roots. Due to the fact that the tree is notoriously difficult to cultivate, sandalwood plantations are carefully controlled and monitored.

According to scientific study, the tree is far happier to populate naturally, than it is through the manipulation of man! On a side-note, if you have Google Earth, you can view sandalwood plantations in Western Australia, and enjoy a birds eye view of their rather impressive looking sandalwood forests.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Once a tree has been harvested, the oil is distilled and allowed to mature, before it’s used on the commercial market. As an essential oil, it’s uses are mainly related to inducing tranquillity and relaxation, and the scent itself is deliciously aromatic – spicy, sweet and soothing.

It can be used in diffusers, for bathing and showering. The oil is used in soaps, lotions, creams and perfumes. Due to its popularity, Sandalwood is readily available, and the heady fragrance is well worth paying for. The next time that you’re feeling a little stressed or harassed, try burning sandalwood oil in an oil diffuser. Then simply sit back, relax and soak up the wonderful aroma!