Sandalwood
Profile
| Latin Name | Santalum album |
| Chinese Name | Tan Xiang |
| Family | Santalaceae |
| Note | Base |
| Aroma | <Moderate> |
| Color | Brown |
| Parts Distilled | Wood & Root |
| Regions | Australia, India, Indonesia |
| Taste | Spicy, Bitter |
| Nature | Slightly Cooling |
| Affinity | BL, KD, LU, SP |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Sesquiterpenol (~70-80%) |
| Skin Type | All, especially Dry |
| Dosage | 10% |
TCM Categories
Functions
- Clear damp heat in the Lower Heater
- Opens the diaphragm to move qi for cough, nausea, expel phlegm, heartburn
- Calm the shen and spirit for insomnia, anxiety, restlessness
Indications
- Damp Heat in the Lower Heater for cystitis, prostatitis, leukorrhea, ovarian cyst, impotence, piles/hemorrhoids (CV-3, BL-39, GB-34, GB-26, GB-41, SP-9, LI-11)
- Running Piglet Qi due to Empty-Fire stemming from the Kidneys, for insomnia, aggression, panic attacks (KI-5, KI-3, CV-7, CV-15, KI-9)
Topical Applications
- Apply a 10% dilution with St. John's wort Oil (in Olive Oil) over varicose veins due to Sinking Spleen qi with Damp-Heat.
Other Applications
- Add 10-15 drops of Sandalwood to bath water for relaxation.
Specific Protocols
- Apply 10% dilution of Sandalwood (20%), Geranium (30%), and Niaouli (50%) to SP-6, SP-9, SP-4, CV-12, CV-9, and ST-42 to clear Stomach Fire depleting Spleen Qi and resulting in Dampness.
- Apply directly to CV-17 to calm the shen.
Actions
- Urogenital antiseptic
- Diuretic
- Antispasmodic
- Antidepressant
- Expectorant
Contraindications & Cautions
- None
Notes
- Clear Heat & Dry Dampness (Lower Heater)
- Over harvested
- Australia has Sandalwood farms for harvesting
- Transforming
- Aphrodisiac
- Chronic stress
- Dai mai oil, drains damp heat
- Active on Ren 15 for the Bao Mai and benefits HT KD communication
- Clearing damp heat in the Lower Heater can help with how we think about things
- Helps someone see what they are fixated on and clinging to
- For varicose veins due to sinking SP Qi
- Caution as it is often adulterated, use reputable supplier
- True sandalwood is not overwhelming inhaled from the bottle
- Strongly calms shen
- For stress that is related to the environment
- For parasitic influence, for parasites that thrive in damp heat
- For someone that is nagged a lot in their environment
- Relieves pensiveness
- Equally effective on the upper and lower jiao
- Can increase awareness of our environment and help one distinguish what is real and true, and be receptive to feedback
Additional Comments
- Sandalwood is often adulterated.
- Sandalwood has been found to promote white blood cell production.
From Class
- Sandalwood: Oil that resonates with Ren-17 Danzhong; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)
- Wood scents — sandalwood, cedar, cypress, pine, Palo Santo: Wood oils invoke/invite spirits to help the deceased's journey; burned, used as oils, or decocted to bathe and soften the body's residual tension. (Yuen)