Scientific Name: Santalum album
Family : Santalaceae
Chandan plant (Santalum album), commonly known as Sandalwood.
Santalum album, or Sandalwood, is a small evergreen tree that is highly valued for its aromatic heartwood. Here are some key botanical features:
Sandalwood trees typically reach a height of 4-9 meters.
The leaves are leathery, opposite, and elliptical or lance-shaped, with a glossy green appearance.
The small, inconspicuous flowers are typically pale yellow or purplish-red and are often fragrant.
The heartwood of the tree is the most prized part. It is yellow to brown in color and has a rich, sweet, and distinctive fragrance.
Chemical Constituents:
Santalols: These are the primary aromatic compounds responsible for the characteristic fragrance of sandalwood.
Sesquiterpenes: Other sesquiterpenoid compounds also contribute to the fragrance and therapeutic properties.
Tannins: These polyphenolic compounds contribute to its astringent properties.
Properties:
Ayurvedic:
Rasa (Taste): Sweet (Madhura)
Guna (Quality): Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Oily), and Shita (Cool)
Virya (Potency): Sheeta (Cooling)
Vipak (Post-digestive Effect): Madhura (Sweet)
Pharmacological Actions:
Anti-inflammatory: Sandalwood oil and paste have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used topically to soothe skin conditions.
Antiseptic: Sandalwood oil has natural antiseptic properties that can help prevent infections.
Astringent: It has astringent qualities, which make it useful for toning the skin and reducing pore size.
Cooling: Sandalwood is considered cooling and is used to balance excess heat in the body.
Benefits:
1.Sandalwood is highly prized for its aromatic heartwood, which is used to extract essential oil. Sandalwood oil is used in perfumery, cosmetics, and aromatherapy.
2.In Ayurvedic medicine, sandalwood paste is applied topically to soothe and cool the skin. It is used for various skin conditions, including acne, rashes, and sunburn.
3.Sandalwood is also used in religious rituals and ceremonies due to its sacred and calming fragrance.
4.Sandalwood oil is believed to have mental and emotional benefits, promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety when used in aromatherapy.
5.Sandalwood is a versatile plant with various applications, primarily due to its fragrant heartwood and the soothing properties of its oil and paste. However, sustainable harvesting and conservation efforts are essential, as the demand for sandalwood has led to concerns about overharvest and illegal trade.