Sandalwood (Chandan) Benefits and Side Effects

It is hard to list the benefits of sandalwood without beginning with its benefits for the face and skin. Sandalwood powder is widely used in skin care and facial creams and it is individually used as fairness and skin tightening pack. But does any of that have scientific proof to it?

It doesn’t come as a surprise that both red and white sandalwood are extensively studied for their skin benefits. White sandalwood oil has been found to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In vitro and in vivo (animal based) studies indicate that sandalwood oil can lower the amount of certain inflammatory molecules in the body which are specifically targeted for reducing psoriasis and dermatitis. Being an antioxidant, it helps to wipe off all the age spots, wrinkles and UV damage from your skin.

Furthermore, the chemical components present in Santalum album oil have been demonstrated to be efficient in inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is the most common pathogen affecting the skin. Not only this, it works against skin yeast infections and viruses like herpes.

And red sandalwood is not far behind in thefor skin benefits either. Just like Santalum album, red sandalwood is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In the traditional system of medicine, a topical application of red sandalwood is used to treat skin diseases and inflammatory skin conditions.

Preclinical studies indicate that a paste made from red sandalwood powder and petroleum jelly can be useful for improving wound healing as it increases collagenesis (formation of skin collagen).

Acne 

Acne is one of the most common skin condition which is caused due to clogging of skin pores with dead skin cells or oil. Propionibacterium acnes is the causative organism for acne. Sandalwood has a dual action on those pesky pimples, it stops the growth of acne-causing bacteria and reduces skin inflammation caused by acne. As an astringent, it tightens the skin and helps close pores. Thus, eliminating the risk of acne in the future.

Whip up a sandalwood face pack by mixing some rosewater and honey and say goodbye to skin problems.

Skin Whitening/Lightening

If you are one of those who is tired of the synthetic bleaching creams or worried about the possible side effects of long-term use on the skin then you need not worry. Sandalwood has long been known as a skin whitening agent in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, skin whitening agents reduce pitta dosha and rakta dhatu, the two components responsible for colour development in foetal skin. Thus, acting as varnya and providing a lighter tone and a natural glow to the skin.

Due to the rising demand for natural cosmetic and skin care products, a lot of research has been done to provide evidence to this claim.

Sandalwood hosts a chemical compound known as alpha-santalol which actively reduces melanocytes (skin pigment cells) in the skin by inhibiting an enzyme known as tyrosinase, thereby, providing a fairer looking glow to your skin.

Whip up a batch of sandalwood face mask by mixing some sandalwood with rosewater and a pinch of turmeric and some aloe gel.

Though sandalwood is well known for its skin benefits, it does have some benefits for your hair as well.

Studies indicate that inhaling a synthetic sandalwood variant can stimulate the growth of hair from the roots. It does so by activating growth factor IGF-1 and reducing apoptosis (cell death) of hair cells. Burn some sandalwood oil in an oil burner and get longer and healthier hair.

Sandalwood also has some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which means that it may help slow down ageing and premature greying of the hair along with age-related hair damage. Red sandalwood is traditionally used to reverse hair greying.

Though no studies have been done to confirm these benefits for hair, all of these properties have been well studied on skin tissue.

Nonetheless, sandalwood is a natural alternative to any chemical and is relatively harmless.

You can always add a dash of sandalwood to your hair mask along with some coconut oil or olive oil and aloe gel.

(Read more: How to stop hair fall)

Increased or unmanageable blood sugar levels can pose a serious threat to health and well being. Diabetics usually find it hard to keep hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) under control and most anti-diabetic medicines have one or the other effect on the body in the long term. As a natural anti-diabetic, sandalwood may be a respite to some.

Preclinical studies suggest that alpha-santalol, the biologically active compound present in sandalwood effectively reduces blood sugar levels. Being a good source of this compound, sandalwood oil is an excellent hypoglycemic agent (reduces blood sugar).

In an animal-based study, regular administration of sandalwood was found to reduce blood glucose by acting as a hypolipidemic (reduces blood cholesterol). 

In a study mentioned in the Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, nanoparticles made from red sandalwood with zinc oxide, when given together, can better manage diabetes than either of these alone. This is because zinc improves insulin production and function and sandalwood is a natural anti-diabetic.

(Read more: Diabetes symptoms)

Allergic rhinitis is a condition marked by sneezing, itching and watery eyes among others. It is usually triggered by the presence of an allergen such as dust or pollens and is quite troublesome.

In a random control trial, inhalation of aroma oils was found to reduce rhinitis symptoms along with improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue. The study included a 15-minute inhalation for about a week.

It was further suggested that santalol reduces allergic rhinitis by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

However, more studies are still needed to confirm this property of sandalwood and find the exact mechanism of action along with its safety profile.

Sandalwood possesses a sweet and woody scent and has sedative action, which is excellent for calming your nerves and providing relief from everyday stress and anxiety. It is widely used in aromatherapy as a relaxant and for stress busting.

In vivo studies demonstrate the neuroleptic (tranquilising) effect of alpha and beta santalol in sandalwood and sandalwood oil.

According to a pilot study mentioned in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, sandalwood may have some relaxing and anti-anxiety properties. Sandalwood not only alleviates anxiety but also provides you with a better mental clarity and improves mood which is helpful in improving work performance and day to day activities. Though more studies are needed to confirm this evidence.

Microbes like bacteria, fungi or viruses enter our body by various means and cause disease and sickness. In various studies, sandalwood oil has demonstrated antibacterial action against common human pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. It has also been found to significantly reduce the growth of Helicobacter pylori, that causes stomach ulcers and Candida albicans, common pathogenic yeast.

While antibiotics and antifungal treatments are available for inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth, there is no specific treatment for virus borne infections. A number of natural herbs have shown antiviral activity against a wide range of pathogens, sandalwood is one such herb. It has been suggested to reduce the growth of herpes virus and human papilloma virus along with HIV virus in in vitro studies. Though human studies are still to be done, the efficiency of sandalwood can’t be denied against this virus.

Sandalwood and alpha-santalol have been extensively studied for their anticancer potential. Both sandalwood oil and alpha santalol reduce the growth and spread of various types of cancer such as skin cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

A further study demonstrates that sandalwood breaks down mutated DNA in case of breast cancer and thus reduces the proliferation of cancerous cells. Apart from alpha-santalol, beta-santalol, and nuciferol were suggested to be the active anti-cancer compounds in this study.

Though more studies are still needed in this field, sandalwood and all of its components have been suggested to be a natural and safe chemotherapy agent.

• Traditionally, sandalwood is known to cure cough and bronchitis. It is a natural expectorant, which means it helps expel phlegm from the body.
• In traditional Indian medicine, sandalwood is used as an aphrodisiac to improve libido. You can either inhale sandalwood oil (put it in a diffuser) or use some sandalwood in your lotion or oils to reap this benefit.
• Sandalwood calms the nerves and is hence used to reduce muscle spasms and cramps.
• It is traditionally used as a carminative for reducing stomach gas and flatulence. Sandalwood paste, when applied on the forehead is used to reduce fevers.
• To reduce the side effects of dehydration, sandalwood paste is given along with some coconut water.
• Sandalwood oil is an excellent diuretic, which along with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, is useful for relieving urinary tract infections.
• Sandalwood essential oil and the paste of sandalwood powder have been found to reduce elevated blood pressure.
• Sandalwood is cooling to the skin, so, it can be used to reduce the itching and rashes in case of prickly heat. Just mix it with some rosewater and a pinch of turmeric and put an even layer on the affected area.