Interesting facts

The botanic name Santalum is probably derived from the Sanskrit word candráh meaning shining, white, and describes the light colour of the wood. Album also means white.
The oldest mention of sandalwood goes back to the fifth century BCE and is to be found in the Nirukta, a commentary on the Vedas of ancient India. Since termites are unable to destroy the hard, aromatic heartwood, in India the tree has always been regarded as a protective tree whose scent drives out evil spirits. The wood was dedicated to the god Shiva and was used in the building of temples and to make statues of the gods.
According to the Hindu faith, sandalwood aids higher reincarnation. Hence deceased rulers were embalmed with the essential oil, and even today sandalwood is added to the funeral pyres of rich Indians. According to one Indian legend the sandal tree is always surrounded by snakes bewitched by its sweet scent. Moreover, sandalwood powder is thought to neutralise snake and scorpion venom. In yoga, sandalwood is linked to the Root Chakra and is supposed to waken the kundalini snake, i.e. to have an aphrodisiac effect.
Arab physicians brought sandalwood to Europe in the Middle Ages, where it first appeared in Italian pharmacies in the 15th century. The German naturalist, physician and botanist Adam Lonicer (1528-1586), also known as Adam Lonitzer or Adamus Lonicerus, mentioned sandalwood in his work on herbs, the Kreuterbuch, published in 1557. He described it as blocking flows; strengthening heart, stomach and liver; cleansing blood and combating thirst and heat. In the middle of the 19th century, doctors treated gonorrhoea sufferers with sandalwood.
Ayurvedic medicine describes sandalwood as bitter, cooling, astringent and soothing. It uses compresses of powdered sandalwood with rosewater as a remedy for inflammation and skin diseases.
In aroma therapy sandalwood is used to counteract the consequences of excessive mental work. The harmonising fragrance is thought to calm, release tension and help restore inner peace.
Incidentally: although similar in name, red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is not related to the white Indian sandalwood. The red wood of this tree, which belongs to the Fabaceae or pea family, is popularly added to tea mixtures for a touch of colour. Today, this wood is not considered to have any medicinal properties. For a long time it played an important role in wool dyeing.