What to know about Santalum album (sandalwood) before using it medicinally

Santalum album, commonly known as sandalwood, is a herb that has been prized for its numerous health benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving sleep quality and skin health.

As a popular ornamental plant, sandalwood is valued for its attractive evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers, making it a favorite among gardeners and landscaping professionals. From a botanical perspective, Santalum album is a member of the Santalaceae family, with distinctive heart-shaped leaves and woody roots that allow the plant to thrive in a range of environments.

With its rich history dating back over 4,000 years, sandalwood has been revered in ancient Indian and Chinese cultures for its medicinal and spiritual properties, and remains a highly sought-after herb in traditional medicine and aromatherapy practices today.

This article explains the medicinal, horticultural, botanical, and historical aspects of Santalum album.

What are the medicinal properties of Santalum album?

Santalum album helps with anxiety and insomnia due to its sedative properties. Its essential oils, such as santalol and santalene, have a calming effect on the nervous system. Sandalwood is also used to treat skin conditions like eczema and acne.

The active constituents of Santalum album, such as santalol and santalic acids, are responsible for its medicinal properties. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant effects, which contribute to its therapeutic benefits.

The heartwood of the Santalum album tree is the most commonly used part for medicinal purposes. The wood is rich in essential oils, which are extracted through distillation or solvent extraction. The wood's aroma and properties are also used in traditional medicine.

Improper use of Santalum album can cause side effects such as skin irritation, allergic reactions, and digestive issues. Ingesting large quantities of the plant's essential oils can lead to liver or kidney damage.

Precautions when using Santalum album medicinally include proper dosage, quality control, and individual tolerance. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with certain health conditions should consult a healthcare professional before using the plant.

What are the horticulural aspects of Santalum album?

Santalum album grow well in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with full sun to partial shade. Average annual rainfall of 600-800 mm and temperatures between 15-30°C are optimal for growth.

For planting, choose a spot with good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Plant seeds or seedlings in the monsoon season, when the soil is moist. Water thoroughly and maintain a 1-2 m radius of clear space around the plant.

Harvesting is typically done after 30-40 years when the plant reaches maturity. Harvesting should be done carefully to avoid damaging the roots. Cut the wood at the base of the trunk, just above a lateral branch, using a sharp saw.

Common pests and diseases of Santalum album include root-knot nematodes, scale insects, and fungal infections such as root rot and heart rot. Regular monitoring and integrated pest management practices are necessary to prevent these issues from impacting the plant's growth.

What are the botanical aspects of Santalum album?

Santalum album is a small, evergreen tree or shrub with a straight, cylindrical trunk and a rounded crown, typically growing up to 10-15 meters in height and 1-3 meters in diameter.

Sandalwood belongs to the family Santalaceae and is classified as Santalum album, a species endemic to tropical Asia. Its botanical classification is as follows: Kingdom: Plantae, Clade: Angiosperms, Clade: Eudicots, Order: Santalales, Family: Santalaceae, Genus: Santalum, Species: S. album.

There are several variants of Santalum album, including the Indian sandalwood (S. album var. album), the Chinese sandalwood (S. album var. chinense), and the Mysore sandalwood (S. album var. mysorensis), which differ in their leaf shape, bark color, and wood grain.

Santalum album is native to the tropical forests of southern and western Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and parts of China. It typically grows on well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade at elevations up to 1,500 meters.

The life cycle of Santalum album is characterized by a long juvenile stage, typically lasting 10-20 years, followed by a short reproductive period, which lasts only a few weeks in the year. The tree produces small, yellowish flowers in clusters, followed by small, red or purple fruits that are dispersed by birds and animals.

What are the historical aspects of Santalum album?

Santalum album is an aromatic tree whose resin has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, perfumery, and spiritual practices. It has been employed in ancient India, China, and Egypt for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties.

In Hindu mythology, sandalwood is associated with the god Vishnu and the goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing purity, prosperity, and good fortune. In ancient Indian literature, it is mentioned as a sacred wood used in the construction of temples and homes. It is also revered in Buddhism for its fragrance and therapeutic benefits.

In various cultures, sandalwood has been imbued with symbolic meanings. In Hinduism, it represents spirituality and devotion, while in Buddhism, it signifies wisdom and enlightenment. In ancient China, it was a symbol of wealth, power, and social status. In Islamic tradition, it is associated with prayer and spiritual growth.

The historical texts that mention sandalwood include the Rigveda, the oldest Hindu scripture, and the Ayurvedic texts, the Charaka Samhita and the Ashtanga Hridayam. These texts describe the properties and uses of sandalwood oil, wood, and powder. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder also wrote about the plant's medicinal properties in his book "Naturalis Historia".

Archaeological evidence of sandalwood's historical significance includes the discovery of sandalwood oil and wood in ancient Indian and Chinese tombs. The temple complex at Borobudur in Indonesia features sandalwood sculptures and carvings. In the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro in Pakistan, archaeologists found sandalwood residues on artifacts, indicating its widespread use in ancient times.