Introduction
Sandalwood is a tree that grows in Asia. It has been used to ease swelling in skin problems, such as wounds and dermatitis. It has also been used to ease anxiety when applied or breathed in as an oil. Some people have used it to ease symptoms of urinary pain. The bark from these trees can be made into a cream or lotion. Sandalwood can also be taken as a pill, powder, or extract.
Dosages
There are no advised doses for sandalwood.
What Research Shows
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to use sandalwood on the skin and to take it orally in small doses for a short time. It may cause allergic skin reactions in some people. D1, D2 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
REFA Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
REFA1 Bhat TA, Begum W. Efficacy of Tamarindus indicus, Melia azadirach and Santalum album in syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge: A single-blind randomised controlled trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2017 Dec 19;15(2).
REFB Anxiety
REFB1 Trambert R, Kowalski MO, et al. A randomized controlled trial provides evidence to support aromatherapy to minimize anxiety in women undergoing breast biopsy. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2017;14(5):394-402.
REFC Radiation-Induced Dermatitis
REFC1 Rao S, Hegde SK, et al. Sandalwood Oil and Turmeric-Based Cream Prevents Ionizing Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients: Clinical Study. Medicines (Basel). 2017 Jun 24;4(3). pii: E43.
REFC2 Palatty PL, Azmidah A, et al. Topical application of a sandal wood oil and turmeric based cream prevents radiodermatitis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy: a pilot study. Br J Radiol. 2014 Jun;87(1038):20130490.
REFD Safety
REFD1 Burdock GA, Carabin IG. Safety assessment of sandalwood oil (Santalum album L.). Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Feb;46(2):421-32. Epub 2007 Sep 21.
REFD2 de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016 Jul-Aug;27(4):170-175.