Product Overview
Our Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Santalum paniculatum, locally known as `Ili`ahi, is indigenous to Hawaii and is harvested from a family-owned plantation committed to organic cultivation and reforestation. The extremely rich, woody, sweet, and full-bodied calming aroma has amazing longevity when applied to the skin – a truly fine Sandalwood oil.
Hawaiian Sandalwood, as with all Sandalwoods, is a hemi-parasitic tree/shrub that peacefully co-exists through a complex root system with a select group of host plants.[1]
The Sandalwood essential oil most recognized is distilled from Santalum album in the Mysore region of India. It is an alarming fact that Mysore Sandalwood has endured severe population decline and genetic impoverishment (i.e., become nearly extinct) due to decades of over-harvesting, mismanagement of forests and illegal poaching – all driven by lucrative global demand. This is good news and bad news. The bad news is that high value plus harvesting restrictions are powerful incentives for the development of synthetics and the routine adulteration of genuine Sandalwood oils.[2] The good news is that this near tragedy created a new industry in other regions for cultivating various species of Sandalwood (including S. paniculatum) using more sustainable practices – a successful strategy for redirecting market pressure away from this precious botanical. Sandalwood, an exquisitely fragrant and praiseworthy tree, like the majestic elephant, has been nearly loved to death. May your usage of Sandalwood be mindful, and may you be present in the magnificence of every application.
Eden Botanicals sources a wide variety of sustainably harvested Santalum species from reputable suppliers in different geographical regions that we are sure will enchant and delight even the most discriminating Sandalwood lovers and natural perfumers. Sandalwood oil is beneficial in targeted skincare preparations and facial serums to improve the appearance of aging, dry, or congested skin. The sensual and divine aroma inspires an ambiance of peaceful contemplation and lends elevating and centering properties to meditation and incense blends.
1 Industry Communication.
2 Turin, Luca. The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell, 2006, p. 77.
3 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 68.
