Santalum album
Family: Santalaceae
Sandalwood, Chandana
Origin: India
Sandalwood is a small tree that grows primarily in India. The wood of its stem, which grows from 20 to 30 feet high, is heavy and straight-grained and varies in color from white when young to yellow or orange when older. its oval leaves are covered with a whitish bloom; its small flowers, varying in color, grow in numerous cymes.
In traditional Chinese medicine, sandalwood oil is considered an excellent sedating agent.
The medicinal properties of sandalwood reside in the oil, which can be pressed from the wood or extracted with alcohol or water. The antiseptic and disinfectant properties of this oil are similar to those of cubeb oil. The oil can also be used for bronchitis and for inflammation in mucous tissue. A decoction of the wood may be helpful for indigestion and fever and externally for skin problems, especially those of bacterial origin.
Sandalwood is known as a hemiparasite or semi-root parasite and requires a range of suitable host plants for its nutrition and moisture requirements. It preferrs to be grown alongside leguminous plants such as Acacias or any other leguminous tree or shrub.
