Sandalwood has a long history of use in Buddhism, and Buddhist temples built with, or incorporate sandalwood products in their operations, are often referred to as “Sandalwood Forests.” Sandalwood not only has an elegant fragrance but also offers benefits such as warding off evil spirits, calming the mind, and enhancing focus. This article explains the characteristics of sandalwood, its uses, and the types of products that can be made from it. It also addresses common questions about sandalwood, such as its benefits and precautions when using it. Additionally, we look at how sandalwood can aid in meditation and mindfulness practices.
What is Sandalwood? Exploring the Characteristics of Sandalwood:
Sandalwood belongs to the Santalaceae family and is an evergreen tree. It is one of the world’s most precious and rare woods. What makes sandalwood so valuable and why has its worth increased over the years? Here are two key characteristics of sandalwood:
Characteristic 1: Difficult to Cultivate, Rarely Available in Large Sizes
Sandalwood is a semi-parasitic plant that draw nutrients from leguminous plants. External factors such as pests and diseases can affect its growth. As a result, sandalwood is difficult to cultivate, and large-sized specimens are rare. Additionally, sandalwood trees grow very slowly, typically taking around 10 years to mature. This slow growth contributes to its scarcity in the market, leading to consistently high prices.
Characteristic 2: Fragrance Enhances with Age, Every Inch of Sandalwood is Precious
The fragrance of sandalwood primarily comes from its heartwood. The older the tree, the higher the oil content in its heartwood, resulting in a richer fragrance. As the usable heartwood is only half of the volume of the log, this further limits its production. This scarcity keeps the market prices of sandalwood products consistently high.
Uses and Three Common Sandalwood Products and Their Benefits:
Sandalwood is not only a rare wood, it is also valued for its precious fragrance and medicinal properties. Here are three common sandalwood products and their benefits:
Sandalwood Use 1
Medicinal Applications: According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, sandalwood has properties that help soothe the stomach, dispel cold, relieve pain, and promote the flow of energy through the meridians, which helps alleviate conditions such as diarrhea, chest congestion, blood stasis in the chest, and angina. Sandalwood also possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cough-suppressing, phlegm-reducing, astringent, and calming properties. It can help alleviate anxiety, nervousness, fatigue, and stress. Sandalwood also offers support for the urinary systems.
Sandalwood Use 2
Aromatics and Essential Oils: Sandalwood can be ground into powder or made into thin sheets for burning. It can also be crafted into incense sticks, incense coils, and other aromatic products for religious or air-purifying purposes. Sandalwood has mind-refreshing, emotion-soothing, sleep-aiding, odor-eliminating, and disinfecting properties. Also, sandalwood essential oil can be extracted and used in skincare products, which helps reduce skin problems such as inflammation, swelling, acne, spots, wrinkles and aging skin.
Sandalwood Use 3
Artistic Carvings: Sandalwood’s fragrance is long-lasting, making it ideal for crafting furniture and various artworks. Exquisite sandalwood furniture was more common among the nobility and royalty during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, due to the scarcity of the material, it is rarely used for furniture production. Sandalwood is often used for carving precious items such as buddha and bodhisattva statues, and Buddhist amulets for worshiping. It is also used to make Buddhist ritual tools such as vajra pestles, prayer beads, and bracelets. These items not only serve as collectibles but also carry significant spiritual value.
Can Sandalwood Ward Off Evil? What are the Benefits of Burning Sandalwood?
Grandmaster JinBodhi once said that spiritual items made using sandalwood, such as bracelets, prayer beads, amulets, or pestles, are believed to have the power to repel evil. Wearing sandalwood accessories offers protection against evil. Burning sandalwood incense in a room is believed to not only remove odors and disinfect the room but also purify the energy field, dispel negative influences, and protect against illness that lingers in the room.
According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, apart from keeping evil under control, sandalwood is believed to repel chills and dampness. Furthermore, its fragrance has the ability to clear the mind, awaken senses and improve concentration. It can aid meditation practitioners by relaxing their minds, reducing distractions, and helping them enter a state of deep meditation. As such, sandalwood is considered a precious material for self-cultivation practitioners when it comes to achieving a profound meditative state.
Precautions When Burning Sandalwood
While sandalwood has numerous beneficial properties, using it with moderation is recommended. Avoid burning an excessive amount of incense at once, as it can lead to suffocation and discomfort such as chest tightness. When burning sandalwood incense, ensure proper ventilation in the room. Adequate ventilation not only helps in spreading the fragrance but also prevents the incense aroma from suffocating individuals in the house, especially the elderly and children. When enjoying the scent of burning sandalwood, avoid inhaling the scent straight from the burner; instead, allow the fragrance to spread evenly around the house and inhale slowly to prevent coughing or irritation to the respiratory system.
Cibeiyin Store
The Cibeiyin Store is an online platform authorized by the founder of Bodhi Meditation, Grandmaster JinBodhi, to distribute blessed ornaments and accessories. All items are made from genuine, high-quality materials exquisitely crafted with attention to detail. Each item carries Grandmaster JinBodhi’s sincere blessings and tremendous auspicious energy. These items offer wearers blessings such as physical and mental health, peace and auspiciousness.
If you wish to purchase sandalwood products, the following options are recommended:
Sandalwood Incense:
JinBodhi Sandalwood Incense – (30cm)
JinBodhi Sandalwood Incense – (10.5cm)
Sandalwood Bracelets:
Sandalwood Bracelet (10mm)
Sandalwood Bracelet (12mm)
Sandalwood Bracelet (15mm)
Sandalwood Prayer Beads:
Sandalwood 108 Prayer Beads (6mm)
Sandalwood 108 Prayer Beads (8mm)
Sandalwood Ritual Tools:
Sandalwood Vajra Pestle (Small)
Extra Reading:
The Finest Sandalwood: Old Mountain Sandalwood
A Remarkable Tree on the Cliff: Cliff Cypress
Please note that the information provided here is for informational purposes, and any therapeutic or medical uses of sandalwood should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.