Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood with its gentle warming woody scent has many uses, from easing urinary tract infections to being an aphrodisiac! It can be used as an antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, sedative, aphrodisiac and diuretic.It has beneficial effects for relieving symptoms of urinary tract infections such as cystitis and for soothing skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.With its pleasant woody scent it is also good for using in men’s skincare products.
BENEFITS
Sandalwood essential oil has the following healing properties:
Antiseptic, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Viral, Expectorant, Sedative, Aphrodisiac, Insecticide and Diuretic
Skin conditions – due to its antiseptic properties it is effective in relieving skin complaints such as chapped skin, psoriasis, eczema, acne and sores.
Urinary tract infections – can soothe and relieve symptoms of cystitis thanks to its diuretic and anti-spasmodic properties.
Sunstroke – Sandalwood can be used to ease symptoms associated with sunstroke.
Bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throats – gargling with Sandalwood can help ease sore throats and using steam inhalation can help to harness its antiseptic and expectorant properties to ease symptoms of respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and laryngitis.
Fluid retention – Sandalwoods diuretic properties make it excellent for relieving fluid retention.
Stress, tension and anxiety – Sandalwood has sedative properties which can make it particularly good for people who are tense and stressed or suffering with anxiety.
Impotence – As an aphrodisiac sandalwood can be used by people suffering with impotence.
BLENDS
Whilst most essential oils can be used together some oils can overpower other oils. Sandalwood goes particularly well with oils such as:
Bergamot
Black pepper
Geranium
Lavender
Myrrh
Rose
Vetivert
Ylang-Ylang
WAYS TO USE
DIFFUSE
Sandalwood essential oil can be used in diffusers or oil burners. Using Sandalwood essential oil in this way is particularly beneficial in relieving stress and tension, it can also help to relieve urinary tract infections and sunstroke.
Diffuse 1 - 3 drops of Sandalwood essential oil in an oil burner or diffuser.
BATH
Sandalwood essential oil can be added to a warm bath to relieve stress and tension, it can help to ease skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It can also relieve urinary tract infections such as cystitis.
Add 1 - 3 drops of Sandalwood essential oil to a warm bath.
Note: Care should be taken not to use more than 3 drops to prevent the bath from becoming too slippery. Essential oils should be added to a carrier oil before adding as oil and water do not mix and essential oils will float on the surface of the water and if used neat can burn the skin.
INHALATION
Inhaling Sandalwood essential oil is effective in helping to relieve symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections such as colds, bronchitis and coughs. Steam inhalation helps to clear congestion in your head, nose and chest.
Simply add 1 - 3 drops of Sandalwood essential oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel or blanket over your head and shoulders to enclose your head over the bowl and inhale for 5 – 10 minutes.
Note: Steam inhalation may be too strong for children, instead place the bowl in the room or close by and allow the steam to infuse in the air.
GARGLE
When very diluted Sandalwood essential oil can be used help with bad breath and mouth infections.
Add 1 – 3 drops of essential oil to a glass of water and gargle, ensuring not to swallow.
DEODORANT
Sandalwood can be added to coconut oil and baking soda to make a fresh smelling effective natural deodorant to combat excessive perspiration.
Add 3 drops of Sandalwood essential oil to 6 tablespoon of solid coconut oil 6, 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 4 tablespoons of either arrowroot or corn-starch and mix well.
MASSAGE
Massage is a great way of relaxing the body and mind and easing aching muscles. Sandalwood makes an excellent oil to use in a massage due to its sedative properties, it can help relax the mind and help relieve tense, tight muscles
Adults - up to 7 drops of Sandalwood in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
Children over 2 years old - up to 3 drops Sandalwood in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
CREAM
Adding a few drops of Sandalwood to a base cream is a great way of harnessing Sandalwood’s antiseptic and properties to treat minor cuts and scrapes and to soothe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, sores and acne.
Add up to 12 drops of Sandalwood essential oil to 30 ml of base cream.
SIDE EFFECTS
As with all essential oils it should not be used neat on the skin, essential oils are very concentrated oils that can irritate the skin unless mixed with a carrier oil. Essential oils should not be used internally unless under the supervision of an aromatherapist.
There are no other specific cautions for Sandalwood essential oil.
Pets can be particularly sensitive to the effects of essential oils and can even be toxic so where possible should either be avoided or used where a pet is able to go into another room for example