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Sandalwood (Chandan) (Santalum album): Precious fragrant wood prized for centuries in Ayurveda, perfumery, and spiritual practice.
🔍 Quick Facts
| Common name | Sandalwood (Chandan) |
| Other names | Chandan, Safed chandan (Hindi); Santhanam (Tamil); Srigandha (Kannada) |
| Scientific name | Santalum album |
| Plant family | Santalaceae |
| Size | 4–9 m semi-parasitic tree |
| Native region | South India, Southeast Asia |
| Climate | Tropical/Sub-tropical |
| Ease of growing | Slow |
| Parts used | Heartwood, Oil, Roots |
About Sandalwood
Indian sandalwood is a semi-parasite: its roots attach to neighbouring plants to draw water and nutrients, so it must be grown with a host such as pigeon pea or casuarina. Its fragrant heartwood takes 15–30 years to develop, which, combined with smuggling, has made it scarce and expensive. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are its traditional homes, and since 2002 private farmers in Karnataka can legally grow it.
Botanically known as Santalum album, it belongs to the Santalaceae family. It is native to South India, Southeast Asia and grows best in a tropical/sub-tropical climate. The parts most often used are the heartwood, oil and roots.
Traditional & Ayurvedic Uses
Sandalwood is best known for:
- Skin care
- Aromatherapy
- Fever
- Anti-inflammatory
- Meditation aid
Most of these uses come from Ayurveda and folk medicine. Where we know of good clinical evidence, or of a specific safety concern, we say so in the overview, precautions and FAQs on this page.
How Sandalwood Is Used
- Sandalwood paste (rubbed on a stone with water) is applied to the forehead and skin for cooling.
- Sandalwood oil is a base note in perfumery and agarbattis.
- Powdered wood is used in face packs.
How to Grow Sandalwood
| ☀️ Sunlight | Full sun to light shade when young. |
| 💧 Watering | Moderate; tolerates drought but not waterlogging. |
| 🪴 Soil | Red, well-drained, slightly rocky soil. |
| 🌱 Propagation | Seeds, raised in nurseries with a host plant in the same bag. |
| 📅 When to plant (India) | Plant in the monsoon. |
| 🏡 In pots / at home | Not viable in pots long-term because it needs host roots. |
Precautions & Safety
- Commercial "sandalwood" products are often synthetic or adulterated.
- The oil may cause skin sensitisation in some people.
- Ingesting sandalwood oil can harm the kidneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading on Sandalwood
Written by the WhyOnPlanet editorial team · Last updated October 2026