Product Information

Botanical Name: Santalum spicatum

Main Constituents:
z-α-Santalol: 15 – 25%

Plant Part: Wood

Origin: Australia

Processing Method: Steam Distilled

Description / Color / Consistency: A thick, colourless to pale yellow liquid.

Aromatic Summary / Note / Strength of Aroma: A base note with a medium aroma, Sandalwood is oriental and balsamic with a soft, sweet, rich, woody aroma.

Blends With: Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Rosewood, Patchouli, Vetiver and Rose.

Product Abstract: Some thirty species of sandalwood occur throughout Asia, Australia and the Pacific region, six of which are native to Australia. This species is presently harvested in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, under strict controls. The evergreen is parasitic, burrowing its roots into nearby trees to gain sustenance for the first seven years, leaving the other to die. To produce oil this tree must be over 30 years old, preferably around 40-50 years when it has reached its peak for oil production. The high value of the wood and the oil has led to a steady decline of native sandalwood trees thus increasing efforts to establish plantations. New Directions Aromatics sources the oil by ethical means, which includes state-sponsored auctions. Sandalwood originally comes from the Sanskrit word candanam, borrowed by the Greeks as sandanon. The documented use of Sandalwood goes back 4000 years to India, Egypt, Greece and Rome when many temples and structures were built with it. Because of over-harvesting, this practice has steadily decreased to the point where Sandalwood is now only used for its oil.

Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided.

Storage: It is recommended that oils packaged in metal containers (for safe shipping) be transferred into dark glass containers to maintain freshness and attain maximum shelf life.