Beauty

Description

Sandalwood (santal) oil is obtained from white or East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), a tree belonging to the genus Santal from the Santal family (Santalaceae). His homeland is the highlands of East and Southeast India, the islands of the Malay Archipelago. The evergreen Indian sandalwood grows up to 10 meters high and over a meter in diameter, attaching itself to the roots of surrounding trees with root suckers — haustoria. Using the juices they extract, it parasitizes, although it can feed on its own, since it has its own root system. Belongs to endangered species due to mass cutting.

In addition to the species Santalum album, many tree species that grow in America, Africa and Australia are also called sandalwood. They belong to other species and families, but the oils extracted from them have a similar smell. The difference with real sandalwood oil lies in a different chemical composition and mild healing properties.

To obtain sandalwood oil, tall, thirty-year-old trees are used. During this period, they accumulate essential oil in the core of the trunk and roots, which is extracted from crushed and soaked wood by distillation with live steam, i.e. high pressure steam. The process of steam distillation lasts two to three days, the output is a finished product in the amount of 4-6% by weight of the feedstock. Trees are chosen not only by age, but also by the color of the wood: light wood gives less oil than dark wood.

Chemical composition

It is a viscous, light yellow or colorless dense liquid with a persistent odor. Consists of cis-isomers of α- and β-santalol, α- and β-santalene, trans-isomer of α-bergamotol. The quality of the oil increases with an increase (up to 90%) of the content of santalol (С15Н23ОН) — an alcohol belonging to sesquiterpenoids, which is the carrier of a wonderful aroma.

Sandalwood oil is soluble in ethanol (C2H5OH) and mineral oils, but insoluble in water.

Application

In India, China, Egypt, sandalwood oil was widely used several millennia ago, and it is still popular today. Its scope is great: perfumery, cosmetics, medicine, religious ceremonies in Buddhism and Hinduism. The oil is included in the formulation of expensive perfumes to give the bouquet an oriental flavor and as a fragrance fixative. It is introduced into cosmetics as a biologically active ingredient, used in aromatherapy.

In medicine, the use has sharply decreased due to the appearance of modern, cheaper medicines, in addition, the production of sandalwood oil has decreased due to the barbaric cutting of white sandalwood, and its price in the market is very high.

Healing properties of sandalwood oil

It has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. The oil is effective for catarrhal phenomena in the nasopharynx, broncho-pulmonary diseases. Promotes the separation of sputum, has an expectorant effect. Before the advent of sulfa drugs and antibiotics, it was the first line drug in the treatment of urological and some sexually transmitted diseases. Increases immunity, has antispasmodic, decongestant, diuretic effect. The aroma has a relaxing and calming effect, helps with nervous tension, depression, insomnia, promotes the emancipation of consciousness and meditation. Eliminates manifestations of vegetovascular pathology: headache, dizziness. Is an aphrodisiac. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin, helps with swelling under the eyes, smoothes fine wrinkles. Very effective for acne, fungal diseases, scabies, eczema.

Contraindications

May cause various forms of allergies. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, testing is required to determine individual intolerance. Contraindicated in pregnant women and those suffering from acute or chronic pyelonephritis.

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