Distillation. Sandalwood must be distilled so that the oil can be extracted from within. Many different methods are used, including steam distillation, water distillation, CO₂ extraction, and solvent extractions. Steam distillation is the most common method used by sandalwood companies.

Where does sandalwood come from?

Sandalwood Santalum album

album, commonly known as Indian Sandalwood, is a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. This small tropical tree grows to 20m high with red wood and a variety of dark colors of bark (dark brown, reddish and dark grey).

Why is sandalwood so expensive?

Sandalwood oil is sought after because of its soft, creamy, and long-lasting scent that it produces. Unfortunately, the production of Sandalwood has decreased while the demand continues to increase. It is on its way to becoming extinct, and that's what makes Sandalwood so expensive.

How is sandalwood grown?

Growing these trees is quite easy. ... The tree starts flowering after around seven years, and the tree trunk develops fragrant heartwood after 10 years. Sandalwood saplings should be planted in well drained soil and watered frugally on alternate days. Reduce the volume of water as the years go by.

What ingredients are in Sandalwood?

Main constituents. Sandalwood oil contains more than 90% sesquiterpenic alcohols of which 50–60% is the tricyclic α-santalol. β-Santalol comprises 20–25%. The composition of the oil will depend on the species, region grown, age of tree, and possibly the season of harvest and details of the extraction process used.

Sandalwood - The Story of Sandalwood in Western Australia

Does sandalwood expire?

Sandalwood powder does not expire. However, its colour and odour might change with time, if not stored properly, due to moisture.

Can you smoke sandalwood?

Sandalwood seems to be a big seller in the incense industry, so lots of people have inhaled that version of sandalwood smoke.

Does sandalwood tree attract snakes?

Do they like the fragrance of sandalwood or is it something else. As far as the labor of snakes is concerned, scientists have proved that snakes do not have the labor of smell. ... But the snakes are wrapped around the sandalwood tree, not because of the scent of sandalwood but to keep themselves cool.

What is the cost of sandalwood per kg?

Today, it costs anywhere between Rs. 65,000 per kg (if it is extracted from smuggled wood) and Rs 1.5 lakh per kg.

What is the most expensive tree in the world?

The treasure is one of the rarest trees in the world: lapnisan or agarwood. It is also the world's most expensive tree. A kilo of agarwood fetches as much as P750,000. A whole tree is worth tens of millions of pesos, which is why many people would kill for a piece of this rare tree.

Which country is the largest producer of sandalwood?

India contributes 90 per cent of the sandalwood oil production in the world.

Is Indian or Australian sandalwood better?

In recent years Australian sandalwood oil has been incorporated into many high end perfumes and other cosmetic products. Australian sandalwood does produce a lower oil content when compared to Indian sandalwood although it consistently produces the oil forming heartwood from a young age.

Which is the costliest wood in India?

Indian rosewood

Although rosewood is the most expensive type of wood available in India, it is mostly preferred due to its termite-resistant quality, durability and versatility. Rosewood can be used for making kitchen cabinets, sofas and even wooden flooring.

Is sandalwood and Chandan same?

Although sandalwood (chandan) is popular as a beauty remedy, very few people know about the red sandalwood. Rakta Chandana or the red sandalwood is one of the finest ingredients for your skin. The red sandalwood tree can be found mostly in the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India.

Where is Chandan tree India?

It is native to Mysore, Coorg, Hyderabad, Nilgiri, and Western ghats of South India. Although there are many varieties of Chandan, Malayagiri Chandan or Shrikhand is the sweetest and real of them all! The tree has a beige-white color wood with an enchanting fragrance.

How long does it take to grow a sandalwood tree?

Sandal trees can be grown in all types of soil except marshy land. It needs at least 15 to 20 years to procure sandal wood from the tree. A tree may be cut after attaining a girth (circumference) of 242 to 3 feet at the chest height of the tree. The hearth wood starts developing after 7 years.

Is it legal to plant sandal tree?

Government declared growing sandalwood tree illegal due to rise in smuggling and exporting of sandalwood in recent years. However, planting of sandalwood is legal in India but plantation activities are undertaken by governments departments. The department controls the cutting of sandalwood.

What is the cost of 1 sandalwood tree?

ONE TREE MAY BE CONSISTING average of 60 - 100 Kgs Heart wood in it. Price Range starts from Rs. 12,000 - 13,000 / kilogram.

Which sandalwood is costly red or white?

Although Sandalwood has many species but only two of them i.e.White Sandalwood and Red Sandalwood are most widely cultivated. Due to its therapeutic and cosmetic value White Sandalwood is quite expensive.

Can we grow sandalwood in USA?

Grow Indian sandalwood in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. ... Most are hot-weather plants, such as black acacia, which thrives in USDA zones 10 through 12.

What is the most profitable tree to grow?

• Instant shade trees. ...
• Flowering dogwood. ...
• Thornless locust. ...
• Heritage fruit trees. ...
• Hybrid chestnut. ...
• Black walnut. ...
• Bonsai trees. ...
• Willow.

What plant do snakes hate?

Use repelling plants: Snakes don't like the smell of particular plants, including garlic, lemongrass, and marigold. Bonus: Some of the plants that snakes don't like also tend to repel insects.

Can sandalwood be eaten?

When you think of sandalwood, it's unlikely that food is the first thing that springs to mind. But this tree, most commonly known for its use in furniture or as a fragrance for perfume and incense, actually produces an edible nut, which an enterprising couple from Western Australia is now farming.

Why is sandalwood illegal Kenya?

First, what has emanated from this study is that criminal cartels have directed their criminal business of sandalwood poaching to Kenya because of three major factors: force of demand and supply of precious wood, institution failures and regulatory and policy failures.

Is sandalwood a drug?

In India, the essential oil, emulsion, or paste of sandalwood is used in the treatment of inflammatory and eruptive skin diseases. The oil has been used in the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal system as a diuretic and mild stimulant, and for smoothing the skin.