Herb of the Month
Sandalwood
(Botanical Name - Santalum abum
Indian Name - Chandan, Sriknanda)
Origin of Herbs:
Sandalwood is a medium-sized evergreen tree with almost drooping
branches, dark rough bark and scented nature wood. It has opposite
leaves, shining on the upper surface, with small dull purplish
flowers in small bunches and roundish, purple-black succulent
fruits. Its trade name sandalwood is based on its Indian name.
Sandalwood is believed to be indigenous to India. It is cultivated
in Karnataka, Coorg, Coimbatore and the southern parts of
Tamilnadu. It also grows wild.
Sandalwood yields an essential oil which contains Santalol.
Healing options:
Both the sandalwood and the essential oil have been used in
Ayurveda for many centuries. The wood is bitter, sedative, cooling
and a cardiac tonic. It is useful in arresting secretion or
bleeding and in promoting the flow of urine. Moreover, sandalwood
oil is a stimulant and an antiseptic. It has a soothing effect on
the skin and mucous membrances.
Genito-Urinary Disorders :
Both sandalwood as well as
the vital oil extracted from it has effectual antiseptic
properties that are very beneficial in healing disorders relating
to the urinary and genital organs like cystitis or inflammation of
the urinary bladder and gonorrhea, sexually transmitted diseases
that leads to swelling and irritation of the genital mucous
organs. Its
efficacy can be increased by the addition of Ajwainark or infusion
of ginger.
Skin Diseases :
An emulsion or a paste of the wood is a cooling dressing in
inflammatory and eruptive skin diseases such as erysipelas, an
inflammatory diseases of the face and prurigo, an itchy eruption.
The oil is useful for scabies too. This oil mixed with twice its
quantity of mustard oil is used for removing pimples. In summer,
regular application of sandalwood paste on the body, especially
for children, has a refreshing effect, which heals any tiny
infected spots.
Prickly Heat:
Sandalwood paste is a popular household remedy for prickly heat.
It prevents excessive sweating and heals inflamed skin. Dry
sandalwood power can be mixed in rose water and applied over parts
where there is profuse sweating.
Gastric Irritability:
Sandalwood is valuable in gastric irritability. About 22 grams of
a water emulsion of the wood mixed with sugar, honey and rice
water should be administered in the treatment of such a condition.
Dysentery:
Sandalwood is also beneficial in the treatment of dysentery. It
should be administered as for gastric irritability.
Fever:
Sandalwood paste applied on the temple relieves headache and bring
down the temperature in fevers.
Ayurvedic Supplements that contains Sandalwood :
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