A Look At The Science-Supported Healing Benefits Associated With Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood is certainly both a traditional scent and a classic medicine. Used as an aromatic more than 4000 years, and also as a medicine in the Ayurvedic technique for maybe a millennium, the timber on its own has been greatly valued by mankind. The essential oil, while only growing popular during the past hundred years, is an absolutely classic scent, with crucial science-proven remedial medicinal purposes. Whether it be for the body or mind, sandalwood oil typical offers effective support.

To begin with just a little background -- sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. Looks pretty easy, until you discover that sandalwood is actually a parasite; it grows merely on certain other trees in tropical environments. The tree needs to be planted besides the best host tree, already of a specific age, for it to climb up. When harvesting the wood, which is very slow to grow, both trees need to be cut down. Evidently this presents concerns for this important resource.

The harvesting of the timber in The Indian subcontinent, where the premium specimens are thought to be from, has been stopped by the authorities in order to protect the tropical rain forests. Elsewhere in the world, harvesting is controlled to ensure the demise of the rain forests in The Indian subcontinent does not happen again for this specific purpose.

It is distinct that for the reasons of uniqueness alone, the essential oil is a thing to be cherished. However, the oil has certain very impressive and important medicinal characteristics that make it even more valuable. One application is a direct derivation of the use of the wood's paste for skin care: The essential oil has been proven to prevent the occurrence of skin cancer if put on before exposure to UVB light as well as chemo-toxins.

Research workers at South Dakota State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, pointed out "alpha-santalol, a major component of sandalwood oil, works well in preventing UVB-induced skin cancer development." Research workers at the University of Colorado, Denver, noted that the oil triggered apoptosis (normal cell death) of cells which were on their way to becoming cancerous. Clearly the essential oil makes an important therapeutic contribution to skin care formulations.

The aroma is highly regarded for its soothing, centering qualities, without being sedating. In Vienna, Austria scientists published a report where participants were positively affected in the regions of alertness, attentiveness, calmness, mood, enjoyment and vigor. This correlates to its long-time use as the first preference aromatic in aiding meditation.

Curiously, the oil in addition has been researched for supporting deeper, more peaceful sleep. The essential oil works both when inhaled and when topically applied. One study examining the effects of inhaling santalol, the most important natural constituent of the oil, found this ingredient could result in a significant decrease in the time spent tossing and turning in sleep-disturbed subjects, and also increased the overall time spent in REM sleep.

So you will notice that sandalwood oil has some marvelous, valuable therapeutic activity -- features that everyone can take pleasure in. The most common are Australian as well as South Pacific, though you may still find some Indian available through specialty sources. You will discover they have subtly different aromas, and you might have a strong preference for one over another. Once you discover an oil you like, purchase some to put away! Sandalwood improves (and more costly) with age -- you'll have an exquisite oil for you and your family to really enjoy now and on into the future.

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