Amazing Health Benefits of Sandalwood

Sandalwood - Amazing Health Benefits of Sandalwood

The wood (heartwood) of tree species belonging to the family Santalaceae and genus Santalum is known as sandalwood. 1 The wood from these trees has a distinctive pleasant scent. There are various tree species in this genus, the most well-known of which being East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) and Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).

These are the two most common species used to make sandalwood oil. Indian sandalwood is a tiny evergreen tree that grows up to 30 feet tall and has fragrant yellow to maroon flowers, oval leaves, and dark red-black fruit.

The Indian sandalwood, also known as chandana in Sanskrit, has been used in India for centuries. It is regarded as a sacred aspect of Hindu rituals. The oil produced from the wood is usually used.

Sandalwood's Therapeutic Applications:

The heartwood is the central section of the tree, and it has a distinct scent. The oil derived from this heartwood is known as East Indian sandalwood oil, and it is used to treat a variety of ailments. The wood can also be pulverized and utilized in other ways. The medicinal properties of sandalwood are detailed in the next section.

It has a long history of use in perfumes, ceremonies, and a variety of medical ailments. It is utilized in medicine because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-microbial qualities, which are still being researched for future applications.

Benefits of Sandalwood

Psoriasis:

Psoriasis is a skin ailment in which a patient's elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp develop itchy, scaly, and red spots.

Sandalwood, when applied topically to the places where psoriasis plaques (patches) are present, has been demonstrated to lessen the severity of the illness. This is owing to the fact that it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Wrinkles, Scars, and Darkening of the Skin:

It has been used as an essential cosmetic product for many years.

Sandalwood has traditionally been used as an anti-aging product since it lowers wrinkles, scars, and skin discoloration. This is owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and toning properties.

Wounds:

Sandalwood aids wound healing and is used for it because of its anti-microbial (anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral) properties as well as its anti-inflammatory properties.

Eczema:

Eczema is a medical disorder in which dry, scaly, red areas of skin develop, causing irritation and bleeding. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, sandalwood oil applied to the skin aids in the management of the condition.

Acne:

Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities make it effective in treating acne.

Brain:

It has been shown in animal experiments to have memory-enhancing properties, sedative and relaxing effects, and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, it could be used to treat sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and Alzheimer's disease, but more research is needed.

Cancer:

Animal and cell culture research have shown that the molecule -santalol found in sandalwood has anti-cancer potential. As a result, it has the potential to be used in the treatment of skin tumors, but more research is needed before it can be used in humans.

Ulcers:

• An ulcer is a break in the stomach or intestine lining.
• Sandalwood contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects, according to research.
• The oil is efficient against H. pylori, the bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. As a result, sandalwood oil extract is utilized to heal stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Infection Management:

• Sandalwood oil extract has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties.
• Its anti-bacterial properties help it treat ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria, as well as skin acne caused by staphylococcal and streptococci bacteria, and its anti-viral properties help it treat skin warts, blemishes, and Molluscum contagiosum, a pox-virus infection.
• Scabies is a mite-borne skin infection that causes skin burrows, itching, red rashes, and inflammation. l or fungal)
• The skin webs between the fingers are the most commonly affected area.
• Sandalwood has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for reducing scabies redness, itching, and inflammation.
• Sandalwood's active ingredients are also beneficial for chronic bronchitis, gonorrhoea (after the current disease has been treated), vaginitis (bacterial or fungal), and urinary tract infections (UTI).

Heart:

Sandalwood has shown cardio protective effects via reducing cardiac tissue damage, as well as antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and blood sugar-lowering properties, all of which need to be studied further in humans.

Diabetes:

Sandalwood has blood sugar reducing and antioxidant characteristics, making it a good candidate for diabetes treatment, although more research is needed.

Sandalwood has an antipyretic effect, which means it lowers body temperature and can be used to treat fever. Several animal investigations have backed up this claim.

What is the Best Way to Use Sandalwood?

Sandalwood can be used in a variety of ways.

• Steam distillation is used to extract the oil from the heartwood of sandalwood.
• Its powder is made into a paste and applied on the skin.

According to your health situation, your Ayurvedic physician will recommend the form and dose.

Sandalwood's Negative Effects

Sandalwood consumed by mouth in proportions used in food is probably harmless, but long-term use could be dangerous.

The following are the most common side effects:

• The skin itchiness (due to the use of sandalwood incense)
• Urine with blood (kidney damage)
• Allergic skin reactions as a result of skin-to-skin contact

Precautions When Using Sandalwood

When using sandalwood, remember to take the following risks and warnings into account:

Pregnancy:

Sandalwood oil has been shown in animal experiments to have an effect on the foetus when administered to pregnant women. As a result, it should not be used without contacting a gynecologist first.

Kidney diseases:

Sandalwood should be avoided by persons who have kidney illness since it can harm them.

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