Virtues of Sandalwood Extend Through Time
Overview
Sandalwood is one of the oldest aromatic materials, being acknowledged in ancient biblical and in Indian text as well as used in religious ceremonies throughout the ages. Botanically known as a small evergreen in the genus Santalum and family Santalaceae, this modest-sized tree (up to 10 meters) provides a great deal of commerce for India and to some extent Australia and is now being examined by the medical industry for its medicinal properties. There are several species of Santalum, but only a few are used commercially, most notably Santalum album (India) and Santalum spicatum (Australia). Other tress from such places as Polynesia and Fuji are in small numbers and in great decline. Oddly, other plants such as the Bead Tree or Candlewood are known as sandalwood but are not botanically parallel. Sometimes, non-related plants such as Red Sandalwood are used as fillers for the more expensive, genuine sandalwood.
Sandalwood from the Mysore region (known as “sandalwood city”) of southern India is generally considered to be of the highest quality sandalwood available, providing great commerce for this region of India. Of the traditional areas in Southeast Asia where sandalwood is found, India has been the front runner in creating plantations in which to continually harvest Sandalwood (The Australian Government has also set up reserves as well). Trade and harvest of Indian sandalwood is under strict regulation and the trees themselves are under government protection; only the government of India is permitted to own the trees. To produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils, harvested Santalum trees are recommended to be at least 40 years of age, but 80 or above are preferred. However, trees at 30 years of age are still harvested but considered of inferior quality.
Much of the valuable wood is found in the roots of sandalwood and thus harvested by uprooting the entire tree versus cutting it at the trunk. In the last few years alone, the price of sandalwood has skyrocketed, mainly due to rising demand and limited supply. Increased demand has mainly come from the perfume and aromatherapy industry. Sandalwood essential oil and paste is used in Indian and Chinese medicine and of course aromatherapy botanical medicine. The perfume industry covets this oil for its ability to blend well with other perfume oils; hence, it is used extensively in hundreds of cosmetic products.
Over the centuries, the use of sandalwood and its products have been an integral part of several religious cultures. It scent, either as an essential oil or ground as incense, is thought to bring one closer to the Divine. Hindus burn incense made from sandalwood oil in burial pyres and at funerals. It’s also used in temples to remind people of the heavenly realms. Yogis in India use the oil to anoint each other during ceremonies and before meditation as well deity statues often made of sandalwood itself.
Sandalwood Used to Fight Anti-microbial Bacteria
Opposition to antibiotic use in food agriculture has been gaining momentum. In years past, it was known that severe illness-causing microbes such as Salmonella and E. coli could be contracted through eating contaminated meat. Now, it is proposed that contraction of bacteria, in this case antibiotic resistant bacteria, can possibly be transferred through ingestion, handling of industrial animal manure, as well as through drinking manure-contaminated ground water. With these scenarios coming to the surface, scientists and government officials alike are in alarm and strongly suggesting the decrease if not absolute elimination of non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in the meat industry. Recent media has brought attention to the proposed link between the steep increase of antibiotic-resistant microbes with use and perhaps misuse of antibiotics in agriculture. Modern industrial agriculture raises animals in tight often inhumane quarters which results in animals being much more susceptible to sickness and disease, thus the administration of antibiotics is very common. Because bacteria and other microbes can easily mutate (in as little as 20 minutes), it is no wonder that great concern is now mounting.
Concern for antibiotic-resistant microbes is worldwide. A need to find alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatment is rising. Essential oils have been gaining attention by research scientists for their antimicrobial properties. A collaborative study of researchers in Austria and Germany (Flavor and Fragrance Journal 2006 May/Jun; 21(3): 465-468) found that santalols of sandalwood (the main chemical components of sandalwood) in medium and/or high concentrations showed significant antimicrobial potential against the yeast Candida albicans, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Other Promising Uses
In a 2007 science review (Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008 Feb.; 46(2): 421-432), researchers found that sandalwood oil and its major constituents (namely alpha-santalol) have anticarcinogenic, antiviral and as well as bactericidal activity. Phenomenally, a study conducted by the Department of Virology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2007 May; 51(5): 1859-62) found that sandalwood essential oil exhibited virulence against isolates of drug-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1. The dreadfulness of virulence spread by mosquitoes is well-known, especially in Africa and South America. Mosquito-borne diseases include such maladies as malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis and yellow fever. Conventional mosquito treatment relies on chemical pesticides which are often administered in water where mosquito larvae reside. Yet, the risks to people and the environment are well established. Naturally derived insecticides, especially from aromatic plants and their essential oils was recently investigated at Omar Almuktar University, Elbieda, Libya, Africa (Parasitology Research 2006 Sep; 99(4): 466-72). Sandalwood essential oil (as well as other essential oils) induced 100% mortality of various mosquito larvae species within 24 hours or less.
Concluding Remarks
It is rather evident that the value of sandalwood extends across centuries and continents. It is revered by various religions, scientists, aromatherapists and perfume enthusiasts alike. What is remarkable is that uses of plants and their essential oils are bringing such world-wide engagement as their promising applications are uncovered in scientific research. A need for alternatives to conventional antibiotics as well as insecticides is clear. As less-than amiable agriculture practices surface and resistance to current antimicrobials increase, it is apparent that humankind will revert back to solutions found in nature and perhaps make a more diligent effort to conserve the very earth that sustains us.
Aromtherapy practitioners are growing in number in the US, as the use of essential oils for for immune support increases. For more on the therapeutic use of essential oils, visit http://www.anandaapothecary.com
Antibiotics? I Think Not
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more reluctant to give you a prescription for antibiotics unless it’s proven that you are indeed suffering from a bacterial infection? Well, I wish I could say better late than never, but in the case of antibiotics, we’re far too late.
Antibiotics were once touted as a modern miracle and they did indeed save lives, once upon a time. The problem has been that they have been so widely overused and not just for bacterial infections, but for every single thing doctors didn’t know how to treat. In fact, even if the illness was viral, we were routinely given a prescription for antibiotics so we would happily go home and feel as though the doctor helped us get well.
The truth is, we would’ve been far better off NOT getting those antibiotics for every single illness we encountered. Our immune systems would’ve been much more helped if we’d stayed home and rested, drank lots of fluids, and boosted our immune system with natural herbal and homeopathic remedies and whole food supplements.
The reason is, since antibiotics have been so widely overused, superbugs have emerged that are leaving us vulnerable with no recourse – UNLESS your immune system is strong because you and your pets have been eating natural diets, using whole food and natural supplements, and exercising, so that your body is protected naturally.
By relying so heavily upon antibiotics to be our cure-all, along with steroids (a subsequent article will elaborate on this horrible drug) we’ve compromised our and our pets immune systems and left them wide open and susceptible to these superbugs that are continuing to emerge all the time.
“Our society has been conditioned with quick-fix and band-aid medicine. We know from experience that this, often times, only gives temporary relief and in fact can generate a rebound effect of symptoms or undesirable side effects. Complimentary medicine, in particular Homeopathy and Herbs, can play a very large part in the successful rearing of our animals. Homeopathy and Herbs are essentially, natural healing processes, providing remedies to assist the patient to regain health by stimulating the body’s natural forces of recovery. They concentrate on treating the patient, rather than the disease.” Marina Zacharias, author of Healthy Breeding with Herbs and Homeopathy. http://www.naturalrearing.com
The good news is there are alternatives we can use that will give us healthy, strong pets that can resist these superbugs. First, by using a homeopathic or holistic veterinarian, you can talk to them about what your options are for helping keep your pet at their optimal health. Each animal is as different as each of us. If you care for your pets in a holistic way, meaning for the entire animal rather than waiting to treat a specific ailment, you will already be ahead of the game.
By feeding food natural to your pet’s species, such as a raw food diet for cats and dogs, and incorporating whole food supplements, prebiotics and probiotics, you won’t need to concern yourselves about antibiotics and their detrimental side effects.
Something that is also happening is not just superbugs that can be transmitted from animals to humans, but one I know of that can only be transmitted from HUMANS to ANIMALS, and this superbug is called MRSA. While it isn’t as evident in the USA, it is rapidly becoming a problem in the UK. It is a superbug, bacterial infection that has developed as a result of overusing antibiotics. I have a dear new friend who lost her companion and friend, Bella, a beautiful Samoyed dog, to this dreaded bacteria. http://thebellamossfoundation.com
Jesse Dallas, author of Are Antibiotics Making Your Pet Sick? writes “The body should have 80% friendly bacteria and about 20% bad bacteria inside the intestinal tract. After the use of antibiotics, the body will have no more than 20% friendly bacteria and 80% bad bacteria if not more.
-Most illness, disease and problems begin in the intestinal tract. Thus, antibiotics create the potential for serious illness to begin.
-You may not be giving your pet antibiotics, but if it has ever eaten foods with preservatives, you have been giving your pet what I call ‘hidden antibiotics’. The job of preservatives is to control bacteria and once your pet eats food with preservatives, it will ultimately have an effect inside the intestinal tract too and kill the friendly bacteria.
-You should expect it will take at the least 1 year to recolonize the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria after the use of antibiotics.
-Recolonize the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria by using supplements and feeding natural foods.” http://www.pet-grub.com
Now is the time to be proactive and change this. By not remaining apathetic, but by taking action in your life and the lives of your pets, we can and will make a difference.
One more thing that is giving us much hope and one that has me jumping for joy are therapeutic grade essential oils. In 1985 Dr. Jean Claude Lapraz, MD did a study using the therapeutic grade essential oils Oregano and Cinnamon in testing their “antibiotic” like qualities. What he found was that not one single bacteria or virus can live in the presence of these oils!
That is the direction I’ve taken for myself, family and pets and I hope you’ll consider doing the same.
Originally published for the Holistic Pet Care topic on Suite101.com
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How Aroma Therapy Can Help You
Aromatherapy is a good way to improve the life of all individuals. The key is to ensure that the aromatherapy is customized according to the needs and wants of the individual. An aromatherapy practitioner will be able to identify the blend of essential oils that will create the desired results. Whether an individual seeks stress and pain relief, beautification and cleansing, or general relaxation aromatherapy can be a great tool to improve your life
The use of aromatherapy to aid in the relaxation of the mind and body is highly recommended when one is under extreme stress. It is important to implement aromatherapy in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. There are blends that are created to promote happiness, calm and serenity.
Aromatherapy can be used in a number of different ways. It can be applied as relaxing massage oil, added to a soothing bath as a salt or oil, or used in air fresheners or diffusers. Aromatherapy blends can also be created as inhalants or skin applications. The goal of aromatherapy in stress relief is to help create an over-all sense of well-being. The aroma and a good massage can help improve an individual’s sense of well-being.
Aromatherapy essential oils can also help promote weight loss. The scent of vanilla-infused candles can be inhaled to reduce cravings for sweets. Patchouli can be inhaled to lessen hunger. Reducing snack intake and hunger will result in weight loss.
Need help overcoming insecurities? Try mixing your own blend of jasmine and bergamot. It is said to be a confidence boosting aroma. Blend 16 drops of bergamot with 4 drops of jasmine and add to your diffuser. 4 drops of veviter should give you that extra boost you need.
It is common as you age, that new body aches and pains sneak up on us. Fortunately, these aches and pains can be eased with aromatherapy blends in massage oils, skin lotions, and booboo juice. You can purchase a ready-made aromatherapy remedy for aches and pains or create your own. For an ideal massage oil, mix an ounce of your favorite carrier oil with 10 drops of a pleasant essential oil. Use the mixture to rub and soothe away aches and pains wherever they occur on your body.
It should come as no surprise that aromatherapy has been used in skin care for years. It is a natural approach to a fresh, youthful look. You can make your own natural skin products from shampoos and conditioners, to facial toners and moisturizers. Mouthwash, lotion, nail care, perfumes, and cologne can all be made using the soothing aroma and benefits of essential oils.
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