Sandalwood Incense Benefits: 5 Of The Best
Sandalwood incense is a unique and beloved scent, which is progressively becoming more popular with time. In this article we will show you our top 5 favourite Sandalwood incense benefits, and why it should be at the top of your fragrance list!
Sandalwood has become one of the most popular scents around, however, its wood doesn't come cheap, being one of the most expensive in the world. Perhaps this is because of sandalwood's significance in many different religious groups and faiths, or because the native Indian tree is becoming more and more rare.
Sandalwood incense has been used for millennia, making it one of the first incense scents on ancient records.
What is Sandalwood Incense?
Sandalwood incense involves the burning of the wood sourced from trees in the genus Santalum family. These trees are usually found in the tropical forests of India, Indonesia, and Australia. When the wood is made into incense sticks, cones, or essential oil, and then burnt, it realises a pleasant aroma, mostly described as warm and earthy.
Growers harvest the Santalum wood at a minimum age of 40 years old (preferably 80 years or more), which ensures that the fragrant oils have built up enough within the wood. Also, growing Sandalwood is very labour-intensive because the trees need extra attention. This means many people view Sandalwood as a valuable commodity.
The origins of Sandalwood date back to over 5000 years ago, where Ancient cultures burned Sandalwood incense as a part of their religious ceremonies.
People who practice Ayurveda also use Sandalwood as a major part of their ceremonies. During Ayurvedic rituals, the practitioner puts Sandalwood paste on the forehead of the patient, which was seen to help connect them with the divine realms.
What Does Sandalwood Incense Smell Like?
Burning Sandalwood incense creates a woodsy and earthy fragrance, a grounding aroma with many beautiful benefits. This distinctive scent has the power to foster a warm, welcoming environment.
The scent of the Sandalwood incense lasts for hours, meaning its wonderful benefits can serve you throughout the day.
Top 5 Benefits of Sandalwood Incense
1. Promotes Calm and Peace
Anxiety, poor self-esteem, and stress are common and reoccurring issues in our modern world, however, burning Sandalwood incense can offer some relief.
The smoke produced by burning Sandalwood creates soothing energy for your body, mind, and environment. This can help towards lowering blood pressure, improving confidence, and reducing feelings of stress.
This natural, earthy scent is also extremely grounding, helping you to embrace feelings of abundance, gratitude, and relaxation.
2. Ensures Restful Sleep
If you suffer from insomnia (or another sleep disorder), try burning Sandalwood incense before bedtime. We can't promise it'll 100% work, however, Sandalwoods's woodsy aroma has been known to have a sedative effect.
The calming properties of Sandalwood will bring about deep muscle and mind relaxation, hopefully helping you to drift gently off into an uninterrupted slumber.
NOTE: Always ensure that you safely extinguish incense sticks before going to sleep.
3. Encourages Positivity
Burning warm, woodsy Sandalwood incense is known for its wild ability to bring about positivity and motivation. Sandalwood is also known for its concentration-improving abilities, making it a perfect tool to use in happiness-enhancing meditations. It dispels negative energy and attracts positive energy into any environment.
4. Naturally Anti Septic
Ancient civilizations commonly used Sandalwood essential oil for its wound-healing properties. It is known to be antiseptic, cleansing for cuts, burns, bites, and rashes. These ancient people saw Sandalwood as a prized wood due to its health benefits, rarity, and sacredness. And even for many modern people, is it still associated with improving health.
Burning Sandalwood incense may similarly have these effects. This is because its healing properties can be exerted through the smoke of the wood, however, more research is needed.
5. Improves Spiritual Connection
Sandalwood is commonly burnt during moments of prayer and meditation, and this isn't a new development. People who practised early religions burned Sandalwood incense during the most sacred ceremonies, including early followers of many modern religions including Christianity and Hinduism.
The smoke produced from burning Sandalwood can open our Third Eye, having a large impact on intuition and spiritual connection. It also acts as a conduit between the physical plane and the spirit world.
When Should I Burn Sandalwood Incense?
When to burn Sandalwood incense should have no limits, however, it can be most useful during times of meditation, studying, work, relaxation, and even exercise (mostly yoga and pilates). It also works well burning before bedtime, helping to relax the body, mind, and spirit before sleep.
How to Use Sandalwood Incense To Cleanse Energy
If you are feeling symptoms of stress, a lack of emotional or physical balance, or you are just feeling a little bit 'off', burn Sandalwood incense, and embrace its healing effects. Here's how.
Find a place of tranquillity
Simply find a place in your home, somewhere you feel comfortable and relaxed. Take in all factors of comfort: is the temperature right, is the lighting right, is the room right, and would music help me relax?
Get into a meditative state
Close your eyes and empty your mind. To do this, focus on your breathing, taking deep, long, and steady breaths until your mind becomes calm. If that doesn't help, try focusing on other parts of your being, like your heartbeat, or the noises around you. Meditating is a tricky business, so be kind to yourself and practice patience.
Repeat positive affirmations.
The scent of Sandalwood reduces your blood pressure, and as this happens, you may become more relaxed. This allows for positive affirmations to replace negative thoughts. Try repeating words, or phrases, that are kind, encouraging, motivational, and true to you.
Extinguish and dispose
Burn your Sandalwood incense and meditate for around 10-20 minutes. Then ensure you have put out all the embers and safely dispose of the ash, oil, or wood.
How to Use Sandalwood Incense To Help You Sleep
If you have had trouble drifting off at night, try our method for 'burning incense to help you sleep'.
Create a relaxing environment
Arrange your chosen incense burning room, so the ambience is compatible with your idea of what is 'cosy', 'relaxing', and 'safe'. Possibly warm light, cool temperatures, and the sound of the birds outside are how you prefer your comfort, incense-burning space.
Get comfy
Sit or lie in a comfortable position, however, ensure you won't fall asleep while the incense is lit, I choose to sit for this reason! Meditation and mantras are good tools to use to stay awake, whilst reducing feelings of anxiety.
Light your incense
Let the healing Sandalwood smoke wash over you and relieve the stress of the day. Ensure your incense is lit at a safe distance from you and any flammable object.
Extinguish and dispose
Ensure all embers have been put out and that the ash is disposed of safely.
The Bottom Line
There are many wonderful benefits to Sandalwood incense, perhaps why it was so sacred to our ancestors. Sandalwood's healing and spiritual powers have been a source of calm for many people, including us. We hope you enjoy its relaxing properties as much as we have.