Sandalwood essential oil has many traditional uses. For centuries, East Indian sandalwood oil has been a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine, the folk medicine of India.
In these traditions, sandalwood oil has been used with other therapies to help manage:
- the common cold
- urinary tract infections
- liver and gallbladder problems
- digestive problems
- muscle problems
- mental disorders
- hemorrhoids
- scabies
Sandalwood’s scent also makes it a popular choice for perfumes and aromatherapy. In aromatherapy, aromatic oils are used to promote mental and physical health outcomes. Many ancient cultures practiced aromatherapy. It remains popular among some people today.
Few of the traditional uses of sandalwood oil have been tested with modern science. There is a lack of studies evaluating the health benefits of sandalwood. This is why scientific research on its health benefits is limited.
Some studies have supported the idea that sandalwood has health perks. For example, research suggests that sandalwood may help:
- anti-inflammatory
- manage anxiety
- support wound healing
- guard against skin cancer
- fight bacteria
Anti-inflammatory
Sandalwood may haveTrusted Source anti-inflammatory effects by altering cell signaling in the body. There is some evidence that sandalwood may help decrease inflammation in the case of skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Anxiety
One studyTrusted Source of 87 women undergoing a breast biopsy showed that lavender, sandalwood, and orange-peppermint aromatherapy helped reduce their anxiety. Their beginning anxiety levels were self-reported, as were their anxiety levels after the aromatherapy.
Another study of 32 people in Vienna, Austria, had participants inhale lavender and sandalwood oil. The study found that the participants” blood pressure levels were lower and that the cortisol levels in their saliva were lower after the aromatherapy.
Wound healing
Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany found that skin cells contain olfactory receptors for sandalwood. When they activated those receptors, it appeared to promote skin cell growth.
Skin cancer
A study reported in the Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics suggests a compound found in sandalwood oil may help fight skin cancer. That compound is called α-santalol. Some studies have shown that this component can help promote cell death of cancerous cells.
There are many ways to use sandalwood oil in aromatherapy at home. You can:
- put a few drops in an ounce of your favorite lotion
- heat it in a small kettle of water to scent your home
- evaporate it using an essential oil infuser
- mix a few drops with an ounce of carrier oil like sweet almond oil and apply to your skin
Some people have allergic reactions to essential oils. They most often occur when people apply essential oils directly to their skin. If you’re concerned about an allergic reaction, test a small amount of sandalwood oil mixed with a carrier oil or lotion on a small patch of your skin. Wait to see if you react before using larger amounts.
