This is probably the most important tree to the Indian sub-continent. Used in many different products as well as for religious purposes has made the East Indian variety of Sandalwood highly prized and sought after. Indigo Herbs has found a genuine source of this lovely smelling incense that is guaranteed pure and without any bulking agents. Our Sandalwood (Yellow) Incense Powder can be used to mix with other incenses or just on its own for a supremely luxurious aroma of mysterious India.

For at least 5,000 years India has been the leader in producing Sandalwood. Culturally Sandalwood is of major economic importance to India with many cosmetics, perfumes and soap products using sandalwood as an added aroma. It is also used as a topical treatment for complaints of the skin with a cooling action that relieves irritation. Because of its sacredness the Santalum album tree is used to make religious carvings with gaining popularity making this wood the second most expensive in the world. Believed to be an aroma that brings one closer to the divine, the incense is burnt in temples not only to purify the space but also as a conduit to be closer to the divinity represented there. The Sanskrit for Sandalwood is ‘Chandanam’; in this context the wood is worked into a paste and applied to the forehead as a means of cooling the thoughts and to provide a more definitive passage to a peaceful inner space.

Every part of the Sandalwood tree has a use with an outer sapwood surrounding an inner core or heartwood that is prized as being used in making incense and oil. The outer wood is used to make carvings and furniture. Because all the facets of this tree are in high demand the distribution and felling of Sandalwood trees is now regulated by the Indian Government. If left to grow the Santalum album can reach up to 40-50 feet and have a very distinctive eye shaped leaf that’s dark green in colour. Flowers are usually red and very small. The mature bark turns a red colour with age and when the whole tree is cut then it is very noticeable where the sapwood ends and the expensive heartwood begins.