Photos via Quintis
While many of us find the holidays joyful, there is also stress, uncertainty, and loss following a very difficult time of pandemic, economic challenges, social strife and more. Among the things we can do when feeling stress is to take time for ourselves and explore the benefits in using fragrance to cope, calm, and center. “Sandalwood has the ability to calm the mind, uplift the soul and excite the senses. It has been used for thousands of years in healing, medicine, and adornment.” –Jeffrey Paul (Creator of fragrance as wellness & Fragrance, Wellness and Beauty Editor for Instep Magazine).
Sandalwood Essential oil and bottle from Quintis
As I sit at my desk and look at deadlines and a busy calendar, I can smell the day-old waft of sandalwood from the blotter next to me. It encourages me to pause and helps me focus. As I have taught various groups about aromatics, many people have found that it takes time for the fragrance of sandalwood to move to their nose from a scent strip and I remind them that it asks them to be patient. A quality sandalwood oil will have two large molecules, α-santalol and ß-santalol, that support the longevity of the scent and that unfold slowly on paper or skin. Both contribute to the unique cedary, woody, resinous, milky scent of the oil: in particular, α-santalol has been found to affect mood and attentiveness as it increases our ability to concentrate and while also feeling at peace.
sandalwood flowers via common stock
Sandalwood reminds us to be a part of our community by both giving and receiving. As a sapling, its roots reach out to neighboring plants for nourishment and hydration. As the tree matures and ages, it gives back to its surroundings by providing flowers for nectar, nesting and protection for wildlife, and seeds for nourishment. By aging in the place where it belongs, sandalwood develops its precious scented heartwood much like an elder gains wisdom. As we approach the holidays, we can remember that we are part of a community of our choice, and we can both give and receive support.
photo from Quintis
Artisans living in Kannauj, India have known through centuries the sensual feel of sandalwood carvings and beads that release their scent when warmed with skin. Peoples of the Pacific Islands knew of the beauty of sandalwood and scented their hair and skin with coconut oil infused with sandalwood. In India unguents made from fine powder are used as an antioxidant and for a cooling effect. According to Ayurvedic thought, sandalwood is said to remove sins and sorrow while augmenting wealth. Simply inhaling the fragrance affects our respiration and pulse leading to a calm and relaxed state.
Buddha from Quintis.com.au
At the end of another challenging year, we can work on getting rid of the stress and welcoming in a hopeful new year. How do we do this? It may be as simple as having a favorite scarf or a piece of absorbent paper that you scent with the essential oil to carry with you through the day. If you are traveling, take some sandalwood with you. Meditation can be enhanced through focusing on a familiar aroma like sandalwood as a focal point to keep our thoughts from wandering.
Sandalwood soothes us through our senses whether we breathe in the scent or smooth sandalwood-scented lotion on our skin. It takes us to a place of peace and belonging; and it reminds us of the value of patience. As the holidays come and go and the new year arrives, remember to center with sandalwood.
Samples of Indian sandalwood kindly provided by Quintis.
Elise Vernon Pearlstine, Editor and Author of Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance
Please read Michelyn’s interview with Vanessa Ligovich, Chief Marketing Officer of Quintis here
Please read our World Perfumery Congress Report where Firmenich’s Principal Perfumer Frank Voekl and Ilaria Resta, Global President discuss the shift over the past few years towards fragrance as wellness
Quintis Sandalwood oil
Thanks to Quintis we have 10 ml of sustainable Indian sandalwood oil for one registered reader worldwide. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you find most interesting about the therapeutic properties of Sandalwood, what you learned and where you live (Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Syria are excluded. Draw closes 12/24/2022
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