Overview
Sandalwood is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for immunity & disease prevention. Chandan (Santalum album, Fam. Santalaceae) is one of the most valued aromatic woods in Ayurveda. Found extensively in Mysore (Karnataka) forests where trees over 4000 years old are known. The heartwood develops fragrant oil only after 40-50 years of growth. Multiple varieties described — Shveta (white), Rakta (red), Pita (yellow), Kaliyaka (dark). Sandalwood is cooling, bitter-sweet, and is one of the best Pitta-pacifying drugs. It is extensively used in burning sensation, fever, skin diseases, urinary disorders, and bleeding conditions. Applied externally as a paste for skin cooling and complexion improvement. Sandalwood oil contains alpha and beta-santalol as the chief constituents. The wood from Mysore is considered the finest globally. West Indian, East African, and Australian sandalwood are inferior varieties. Several tests for adulteration described. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 11-13.
How Sandalwood Helps with Immunity & Disease Prevention
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Sandalwood has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing immunity & disease prevention:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Sandalwood oil (2.5-6% in heartwood): alpha-santalol and beta-santalol (C₁₅H₂₄O — Sesquiterpene alcohols, 90%), Santalic acid, Teresantalic acid, Ketone, Aldehydes. Oil specific gravity 0.973-0.985, refractive index 1.505-1.510.
- Also Known As
- English: Sandalwood, White Sandalwood, Indian Sandalwood
Sanskrit: चन्दन, श्रीखण्ड, गन्धसार, मलयज, भद्रश्री, गोशीर्ष
Hindi: चन्दन, सफेद चन्दन
What the Classical Texts Say
- Daha (burning sensation)
- Trishna (excessive thirst)
- Jwara (fever — especially Pitta type)
- Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
- Visha (poisoning)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Prameha (urinary disorders/diabetes)
- Shweta Pradara (leucorrhea)
- Mutrakrichchhra (dysuria)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Other Herbs for Immunity & Disease Prevention
See all herbs for immunity & disease prevention on the Immunity & Disease Prevention page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.