Materials: Selected Indian Sandalwood. Flat Incense

Size: 8 inches, 75gm

Description:

Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), also known as white sandalwood or sandalwood, is an important symbolic material in Buddhist rituals. It is primarily used in incense, prayer beads (rosaries), and offerings, symbolizing purity, devotion, and spiritual awakening. In Buddhism, sandalwood is considered a symbol of precious teachings and spiritual practices, representing non-aversion and inner peace. For example, in meditation practices, sandalwood incense is burned as an offering to help clear the mind, bring calm, and promote a greater sense of unity and focus. It is also commonly used to balance the root chakra, providing stability and grounding, helping practitioners maintain spiritual balance during meditation. In Buddhist temples, sandalwood oil or powder is also used to anoint Buddha statues or as a healing element in rituals, helping participants achieve spiritual clarity and inner healing. Generally speaking, sandalwood plays a role in Buddhist rituals as an aid to meditation, a cleansing space, and a symbol of the sacred. This role is similar to its use in other religions, such as Hinduism and Islam, but emphasizes spiritual tranquility and devotion.

Origins of Indian Sandalwood

The origins of Indian sandalwood date back approximately 4,000 years to ancient history, with references in Sanskrit and Chinese manuscripts. It is native to Asia, particularly the tropical forests of southern India (e.g., Karnataka), Indonesia, and Australia. Its scientific name, Santalum, likely derives from the Sanskrit word "candrāh," meaning "shining, white," describing the light color of its wood. Historically, it was introduced from Indonesia and Australia to southern India, East Asia, and Southeast Asia by Austronesian seafarers around 1300 BC. In ancient Egypt, it was used in deity worship and embalming rituals; in India, it was used in the carving of religious artifacts, in Ayurvedic medicine, and for the decoration of statues. Due to its aromatic and healing properties, sandalwood quickly became a vital commodity in religion, medicine, and trade. It remains a valuable resource today, but overexploitation has led to conservation challenges in its native habitat.

Overview of the Indian Sandalwood Manufacturing Process

The production of Indian sandalwood products begins primarily with the heartwood of mature sandalwood trees (which typically grow for 30-50 years). This process involves harvesting, processing, and extracting the heartwood. The trees grow slowly, require specific climates and soils, and are typically cultivated in southern India or Australia.

1. Harvesting and Preparation: Mature trees are felled, the outer bark removed, and the heartwood extracted. The heartwood is ground into a fine powder or wood chips to increase the surface area for extraction.

2. Extracting the Essential Oil: The most common method is steam distillation. Sandalwood powder is placed in a still and heated with steam for several hours, causing the volatile compounds to evaporate and condense into oil. The spent charge can be reused in incense or other products. A common home method is infusion: sandalwood chips are immersed in a carrier oil (such as almond oil), heated or left to stand for several weeks, and then filtered.

3. Product Processing: The extracted oil can be used to make incense, soap, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. For example, in a factory, the oil is tested before being added to the soap production line. Modern biochemical production methods use genetically engineered microorganisms to synthesize sandalwood oil, but traditional methods still predominate.

Sustainability is emphasized throughout the process, as sandalwood trees are a limited resource and often require cultivation.

Composition of Indian Sandalwood

The primary component of Indian sandalwood is its volatile oil, which accounts for 2-5% of the wood. 90-97% of this oil is sesquiterpene alcohols. According to ISO standards, high-quality sandalwood oil should contain 41-54% α-santalol and 16-24% β-santalol, which are central to its aromatic and healing properties. Other components include:

(Z)-α-santalol (approximately 45.8%): The primary active ingredient, providing a calming effect.

- (Z)-β-Sandarol (approximately 20.6%): Contributes to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

- β-Octenal (approximately 9.4%) and epi-β-Sandarol (approximately 3.3%): Contribute to the aroma.

- Trace components: such as 2(E),6(E)-farnesol, epi-α-bisabolol, phenols, lactones, and terpenes.

In addition, sandalwood seeds contain approximately 52.5% protein and minerals (such as potassium, zinc, and calcium). These components contribute to sandalwood's antibacterial, sedative, and spiritual healing properties.