Everything You Need to Know About Sandalwood Incense

Sandalwood is a globally recognized incense ingredient with a history dating back tens of thousands of years. Originating primarily in India, it spread through ancient trade routes to Arab and Chinese regions, becoming a symbol of healing and purity in spiritual ceremonies.

The Santalum family of trees, derived from the Sanskrit “Candana” or “Chandana” meaning “wood for burning incense,” has a deep-rooted connection with incense culture. Sandalwood has been used in China for nearly 2,000 years, influenced by Indian practices and the arrival of Buddhism. Historically known as 白檀香 (bai tan xiang), it is now simply referred to as 檀香 (tan xiang).

Sandalwood Incense Aroma High-quality sandalwood incense offers a fresh, woody, warm, and milky scent with a powdery quality. It blends well with other aromas and acts as a fixative, enhancing the longevity of blended scents, making it a core ingredient in perfumery.

Origins and Characteristics Sandalwood trees are semiparasitic, requiring other trees for growth. They are found in India, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, and the South Pacific. Most commercial sandalwood comes from Indian and Australian plantations due to the rarity of wild sandalwood.

Sandalwood Heartwood The heartwood of the tree contains essential oils that give sandalwood its distinctive scent. These oils take 15-30 years to develop, with older trees yielding higher quality oils. Harvesting involves uprooting the tree to save the oil-rich roots.

Indian vs. Australian Sandalwood

• Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album): Prized for its complex, gentle, and long-lasting aroma due to higher concentrations of α- and β-santalols. Mainly produced in Karnataka, it is now government-controlled to prevent overexploitation.
• Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum): Offers a greener, less gentle scent with lower santalol concentrations. It is more affordable, sustainable, and preferred by many incense makers.

True Sandalwood “True sandalwood” refers to trees in the Santalum family, primarily Santalum album and Santalum spicatum. Unrelated trees with similar scents are sometimes called “false sandalwood.”

Uses of Sandalwood Incense Sandalwood incense is used in religious practices, traditional medicine, and daily life for its calming properties. It aids in meditation, yoga, and relaxation, and has insect-repelling properties. Historically, it was used in Chinese intellectual and imperial circles.

Health Benefits Sandalwood incense reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, and alleviates depression symptoms. It also has insect-repelling and skin-conditioning properties.

Effectiveness and Usage While sandalwood’s effects are scientifically proven, it is more suited for regular use to maintain well-being rather than as a potent medical treatment. It is best used in well-ventilated areas with proper holders.

Blending and Choosing Sandalwood Incense Sandalwood blends well with other woods, herbs, spices, florals, and resins. When choosing, opt for all-natural incense without bamboo centers for the best aroma and health benefits.

Safety Notes Always use proper incense burners, never leave burning incense unattended, and burn on fireproof surfaces.

Feel free to share your experiences with sandalwood incense in the comments below.