Sandalwood (Santalum album) has been used in perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries for thousands of years. Its soothing and cooling effects make it perfect for skin care. It is also used during meditation.
Santalum album (also known as Indian sandalwood) was originally harvested from wild trees in India. Although sandalwood cultivation has recently been controlled by the Indian government, illegal harvesting and over-exploitation have put the species at risk.
Recently, other sources of sandalwood have emerged. These are Santalum album and Pacific Sandalwood (Santalum austrocaledonicum) grown in Australia. Australian native sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) is also sustainably harvested from the wild for essential oil production. But are they a good substitute?
Fragrance-wise, Pacific sandalwood is most similar to Indian sandalwood, with the same warm, buttery scent. The aroma is a little less immediate than the Indian sandalwood (it doesn't jump out of the bottle as much), but after a few minutes the scent of both oils is about the same. This is confirmed by the chemical profile of these oils; both oils are high in alpha and beta santalol. Historically, Pacific sandalwood has cost significantly less than the Indian species, but Australian-grown Santalum album is actually cheaper than Pacific oil.
Meanwhile, Australian sandalwood has lower levels of santalol, which affects the medicinal value of the oil. The different chemical profile means that this oil has a much more woody scent than the Pacific and Indian variants. Less is known about the medicinal uses of this type of sandalwood, but in general it can be used in the same way as other types of sandalwood. This oil is much cheaper than other types.
Please note that Amyris (Amyris balsamifera), also called "West Indian Sandalwood", is not a true sandalwood. Although this oil is popular in its own right, it is much cheaper than real sandalwood, so it can sometimes be used as a fake for real sandalwood oil.
In conclusion, if you like Indian Sandalwood but want to go elsewhere for ethical or cost reasons, Australian Santalum album or Pacific Sandalwood are the best alternatives. If you prefer the scent of wood to butter in perfumery, Santalum spicatum is your best bet. If you prefer organic products, choose organic Australian sandalwood.
And finally, did you know that sandalwood is a parasite? It obtains nutrients by attaching its shoots to the roots of other trees. It would be interesting to know what effect the chemical composition of sandalwood oil has on the other plants from which it derives its life force.
Stay tuned for the full article on sandalwood essential oils, including blending ideas and recipes.