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| Sandalwood
Compiled by Dawn Hill of Crystal Forest How many are the trees on earth that bear the scented flower and juicy fruits! Yet, O' Sandal you are unique in possessing unparalleled fragrance of wood. [sanskrit verse] Latin Name Yellow Sandalwood Santalaceae Santalum Album Red Sandalwood Pterocarpus Santalinus Parts Used: Wood, roots, oil Did you know? There is a great wealth of literature and poetry glorifying the incredible properties of the Sandalwood Tree and they all refer to the YELLOW variety! Red Sandalwood is not considered a tree! It is related to the legume (bean) family, and grows in the Caribbean and Indonesia as well as India to a height of 25 feet or more. Yellow Sandalwood trees are a minimum of 30 years old before they are harvested although 60 years is more common Today, sandalwood oil is one of the most valuable, and expensive, raw materials available in Western perfumery and again comes from the Yellow Sandalwood Tree The most valuable part of the sandalwood tree is the scented heartwood. Yellow Sandalwood is a root parasite and extracts nutrients from the host plant by means of special formations called haustoria. It is not a single species of trees that nourishes the sandalwood but several and it is not yet fully understood what the exact conditions are that allow the tree to thrive. In creating the same conditions where Sandalwood trees are found to grow, scientists were unsuccessful in cultivating sandalwood. It grows only by its own sweet will ! It is endangered due to modernisation and strictly controlled by the Indian Government. Yellow Sandalwood is sold only to perfumers, craftsman, and incense makers men from India at auctions under armed guard due to its high value. Red Sandalwood is often used as a dye and is solueable in alcohol,ether, acetic acid, and alkaline solutions but not in water. It is often used to color tinctures. One yellow sandalwood tree in a forest makes the whole forest smell of sandalwood as the scent clings to other trees. Red Sandalwood is sweeter than Yellow Sandalwood, which is more meditative Due to its high value yellow sandalwood is exploited by thieves and smugglers and there are many people willing to illegally traffic this sacred tree. Most people use either variety of sandalwood in their magickal working interchangeably. Red Sandalwood Medicinal Antiseptic, aromatic, Used to cool the body during fevers & heat stroke; aids in the passing of kidney & gallstones, & for infections in the urinary tract. Acne, Dry/Cracked/Chapped Skin, After Shave, Greasy Skin, Moisturizer, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Coughs (dry, persistent), Laryngitis, Sore Throat, Diarrhea, Nausea, Cystitis, Depression, Insomnia, Nervous Tension, Stress Related Conditions, Aphrodisiac, Soothing, Relaxing, Uplifting, Sedative. Antiseptic properties in treating genito-urinary conditions such as cystitis & gonorrhea, a paste of the wood is used to soothe rashes & itchy skin, used for abdominal pain & chest pain Magickal Feminine, Moon, Water, one of the highest vibrations of any plant, wishes, full moon Esbats, wards negativity, astral projection, grounding, reincarnation, spirit offering, clearing negativity, protection, purification, healing, exorcism, spirituality. When mixed with lavender it makes an incense designed to conjure spirits. Yellow Sandalwood Medicinal Alterative, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, sedative, stimulant. Used for:acute dermatitis, bronchitis, cystitis, eye diseases, gonorrhea, herpes zoster, infection, palpitations, sunstroke, urethritis, vaginitis, to stop sweating. A decoction of the wood may be helpful for indigestion & fever & externally for skin problems, especially those of bacterial origin, cools & calms the entire body & mind. Help for skin/complexion A paste of yellow sandalwood powder made with water is applied on the face two times a day and washed off when it dries up. This helps in improving the complexion of skin. Magickal Feminine, Moon, Water, one of the highest vibrations of any plant, wishes, full moon Esbats, wards negativity, astral projection, grounding, reincarnation, spirit offering, clearing negativity, protection, purification, healing, exorcism, spirituality. When mixed with lavender it makes an incense designed to conjure spirits. |