QUICK SUMMARY
Sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from the heartwood of Santalum trees, and most of its benefits come from α- and β-santalol. Lab and animal research shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activity, and a human study found a sandalwood massage blend lowered stress. Use it diluted on the skin or in diffuser blends, and buy from ethical, sustainable sources, because wild sandalwood is in sharp decline.
Sandalwood essential oil benefits are vast and can do wonders for the body. It’s known for its powerful grounding effects, but it can do so much more!
It is one of the treasures God tucked into creation, and research now backs much of its traditional reputation. Below we cover where it comes from, what the studies show, and simple ways to use it at home.
Table of Contents
Sandalwood History & Composition
One of the most recognizable fragrances in aromatherapy, sandalwood is used most widely in the perfumery industry to the tune of hundreds of tons of oil each year. In Eastern cultures, sandalwood oil appears in holy ceremonies and religious rituals. It marks significant events like weddings and births, as decorations and ceremonial rites. It is a popular choice in Ayurvedic medicine to bring cooling, soothing balance to the body.
Derived from the Santalum genus, the sandalwood family of trees is grown all over the world. Usually, Santalum album out of the Indonesian region is the most commonly utilized species for essential oil production. Other sandalwood trees used for essential oils most commonly are Pacific Sandalwood (Santalum austrocaledonicum), Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum), and Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum) but they aren’t as well-known or well-studied as Indian Sandalwood. Outside of that region, the US carries the highest demand for sandalwood essential oil use, and it has been increasing, driving the price up, as well.
It’s an evergreen tree grown for the heartwood, which is harvested after heavy rains once the tree is a certain size. The inner wood is powdered, and then steam distilled for essential oil extraction. With increasing demand meeting a difficult cultivation process and potentially unsustainable harvesting practices, we could ultimately lose sandalwood altogether. A 2025 review found that natural populations of Indian sandalwood have already declined sharply from overexploitation, habitat loss and disease (1).
The maturity of the tree at harvest and the depth of color affect the specific composition of the essential oil that is extracted. Of the molecules that comprise sandalwood, the most notable is santalol, which gives the aroma of sandalwood its distinctive woodsy aroma (2).
If harvested too young, the santalol amounts will be on the lower end, affecting the expected medicinal properties, and impacting the benefits of aromatherapy with sandalwood oil. When considering the many sandalwood essential oil benefits, take care to trust your source. You want authentic sandalwood oil because you need to know the chemical composition is accurate, and you need to trust that your source is using ethical, sustainable growing methods.
7 Benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oil
While many essential oils come from the leaves and flowers of plants and, therefore, share similar components, sandalwood oil is different. It comes from the heartwood of the tree, usually Santalum album, and primarily boasts varieties of santalol molecules. Still, they are powerful substances, and their beneficial effects are being proven more each day by health professionals and studies.
1. Sedative Effects
Traditional Asian remedies often include sandalwood for anti-anxiety effects, and science is confirming these abilities. In a 1995 study, Japanese researchers isolated α- and β-santalol and gave them to mice. Both compounds lengthened drug-induced sleep and changed motor activity, supporting sandalwood’s traditional use as a sedative (3).
Sandalwood is more than a sleepy oil, though. In a 2023 Japanese brain-wave study, inhaling it activated the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain tied to emotion and focus (4).
Application: Try adding 1-2 drops to our DIY bath bomb recipe, letting this take the place of other bath bombs fragrances. Add to a warm bath before bed for a soothing soak.
2. Antioxidant Ability
As with many essential oils, sandalwood carries strong antioxidant abilities. One major benefit of antioxidant substances is their effect on metabolic conditions, as noted by a 2013 study published in the journal Phytomedicine that evaluated the antioxidant in sandalwood essential oil used to benefit diabetic mice. They concluded that “it was observed that the beneficial effects of α-santalol were well complimented, differentially by other constituents present in sandalwood oil, thus indicating synergism in biological activity of this traditionally used bioresource.” (5) In other words, santalol works best alongside the other compounds in the whole oil!
A 2023 review of the Santalum genus confirms that preclinical and clinical studies show sandalwood’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood sugar-lowering activity (6).
3. Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammatory conditions are pervasive in our country and can result in metabolic or chronic illness. This brings me to one of the most exciting of sandalwood essential oil uses – as an anti-inflammatory!
In 2014, Canadian scientists took sandalwood oils and pure a-santalol and b-santalol extracts and weighed them against ibuprofen in human skin cells, where they suppressed most of the same inflammatory signals ibuprofen did. The results were so promising that they called for topical applications as a comparable anti-inflammatory agent. (7) No wonder it’s so popular in massage and body oils – even diluted sandalwood can help ease inflammatory responses in the body.
4. Skin Tonic
Sandalwood essential oil uses also include many skin care products and applications. That’s because sandalwood has several properties that are beneficial for skin sensitivity and maintaining good skin health. From antimicrobial properties protecting against infectious intruders to antiseptic abilities to help keep skin clean and clear, sandalwood oil has a lot to offer.
In a 2024 study, a hand sanitizer made with a sandalwood oil nanoemulsion showed strong antibacterial activity against every microbe tested (8). Another 2024 study found sandalwood oils strongly active against Madurella mycetomatis, the fungus behind a hard-to-treat tropical skin infection (9).
The benefits of sandalwood oil include anti-inflammatory activity that will help improve the appearance of skin, as well. Try using a skin-friendly carrier oil like jojoba for added benefits.
5. Cancer-Fighting Power
In lab tests, sandalwood essential oil health benefits seem to include protective abilities against various kinds of cancer cells. A 2025 review found that α-santalol stops breast, prostate, skin and liver cancer cells from growing and triggers their death in lab and animal studies, while being gentler on normal cells (10).
In a 2025 lab study, α-santalol slowed the growth and spread of human melanoma cells while leaving normal skin cells largely unharmed (11). Prostate cancer cells met a similar fate in a 2021 study, where α-santalol shut down the AKT-mTOR growth pathway and triggered autophagy (12). Whatever researchers uncover about essential oils and potential cancer prevention and treatment, I’m certain that I want these substances in my body if cancer cells were ever to try to crop up!
6. Reduce Anxiety
We’ve already seen its sedative effects, and a 2023 Korean study of 59 older women found that massage with a blend of lavender, Roman chamomile and sandalwood oils eased both itching and stress compared with a weaker sandalwood-only massage (13). Just a small amount of sandalwood essential oil can help to calm anxious, restless nerves in any situation. I recommend it for relaxation when it’s time to sleep, and its calming effect helps in anxious moments, too.
For quick stress relief, add a drop in diffuser blends, especially mixed with other essential oils for anxiety relief. Sandalwood oil may be too thick for room diffusers on its own so blending with other, lighter oils will usually work best, or you can put a single drop on an AC vent to allow the earthy aroma to circulate naturally.
7. Treat and Protect Skin
Make the most of the antiseptic, astringent, and protectant effects of sandalwood by including a drop or two in your lotion, cleanser preparations, and other natural skin care products. As a potential skin cancer protective agent, it can boost the appearance of skin and should be considered for facial remedies, since our faces are exposed to so much sun on a daily basis.
There are many sandalwood essential oil uses that include our external health as well as internal wellness.
While sandalwood has been reported in rare cases of reaction or sensitization, it’s generally a gentler oil if you suffer from skin sensitivity. Overall it is proving itself as a safe oil with antimicrobial and anticancer benefits setting it apart. Use common sense and caution as with any other oil, but take additional precautions when it comes to unethical sourcing and avoid frivolous use that may threaten us with the loss of the health benefits sandalwood provides.
Sandalwood Essential Oil Uses & DIY Tips
Because of the overuse and underproduction of sandalwood, we must use extra caution to source it well and use it well. Such clear health benefits cannot be ignored, so integrate sandalwood into your wellness routine with care and respect for our natural resources. Here are some go-to ways to use sandalwood and maximize its effect.
Sandalwood makes our list of top essential oils for depression because of its grounding, calming action. You can also include it in your personal bedroom blends for enhanced libido such as this personal lubricant DIY. Sandalwood has been used for ages to enhance skin and as a body moisturizer, making it a great addition to body care products like our homemade facial cleanser or soothing DIY body butter.
These are just a few of the many benefits of Sandalwood essential oil which is why it makes our must-have list of healing essential oils.
Keep reading: 11 Cedarwood Essential Oil Benefits & Uses for Sleep, Hair & More · Myrrh Essential Oil Benefits: 8 Uses, Research & Biblical History · Aromatherapy Guide for Beginners: How to Use Essential Oils Safely
References
- Rajarajan K, Jadhav M, et al. Genetic and genomic resources of Santalum album: past achievements and future prospects. Genetica. 2025. Source.
- Yan X, David SD, et al. Biological Properties of Sandalwood Oil and Microbial Synthesis of Its Major Sesquiterpenoids. Biomolecules. 2024. Source.
- Okugawa H, Ueda R, et al. Effect of α-santalol and β-santalol from sandalwood on the central nervous system in mice. Phytomedicine. 1995. Source.
- Ueda K, Horita T, et al. Effects of inhaling essential oils of Citrus limonum L., Santalum album, and Cinnamomum camphora on human brain activity. Brain Behav. 2023. Source.
- Misra BB, Dey S. Evaluation of in vivo anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant potentials of α-santalol and sandalwood oil. Phytomedicine. 2013. Source.
- Sharifi-Rad J, Quispe C, et al. Santalum Genus: phytochemical constituents, biological activities and health promoting-effects. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2023. Source.
- Sharma M, Levenson C, et al. Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine/chemokine production in skin cells by sandalwood oils and purified α-santalol and β-santalol. Phytother Res. 2014. Source.
- Meghani N, Mansuri A, et al. Fabrication, assessment, and potential anti-bacterial activity of sandalwood oil nanoemulsion and its hand rub sanitizer. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024. Source.
- Abd Algaffar SO, Seegers S, et al. Sandalwood Oils of Different Origins Are Active In Vitro against Madurella mycetomatis, the Major Fungal Pathogen Responsible for Eumycetoma. Molecules. 2024. Source.
- Wang R, Shi G, et al. Therapeutic potential of α-santalol: Sources, mechanisms, and anti-tumor prospects. Fitoterapia. 2025. Source.
- Chandrasekaran R, Lu ML, et al. Growth Suppression and Selective Disruption of F-Actin by α-Santalol in Human Melanoma Cells. Anticancer Res. 2025. Source.
- Walters C, Reed M, et al. Autophagy Induction by α-Santalol in Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Anticancer Res. 2021. Source.
- Shim MS, Je NJ, et al. Aromatherapy Massage for Relief of Pruritus and Stress in Older Women. Altern Ther Health Med. 2023. Source.
