One of the most distinctly “Indian” resources is sandalwood. On Pat’s very first trip to India – 9 years ago – he bought a small elephant carved from this precious wood. I remember the first time I smelled that fragrance. How unique it was. It is hard to explain it, but once you have breathed it in, you never forget it. The strength of the sandalwood oil is such that the elephant, after all these years, continues to give that terrific aroma!
We have been on the hunt for a cross carved from sandalwood to give as a special gift for our cousin Ethan, who is making his Confirmation in June back in the U.S. As you can imagine, in a land where 98% of the population are non-Christians, this is not an easy task! In general, the folks here in India don’t say “no”. Almost anything is possible… for a price! The sandalwood cross, however, became quite the challenge. Finally, after a long string of “no’s” … we stumbled upon a little Muslim run jewelry shop, whose shopkeeper said “Yes, for you we will find! Come back in 1 week’s time.” Sure enough, 1 week later… the cross was ours! I held it to my nose… yes, that unmistakable smell!
A bit of sandalwood history and interesting facts:
- One of the oldest incense materials, Sandalwood has been in use for at least 4,000 years. It is one of the most calming incenses and therefore is one of the preferred ones for meditation. It calms the mind, enhances mental clarity. Sandalwood is grown almost exclusively in South Central India, in the dry forests of the Deccan plateau, which rolls through the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. If you were looking at a map, this would be approximately a 200-kilometer circle using the City of Bangalore as its center. Lucky us!!
- As the tree grows, the essential oil develops in the roots and heartwood, which requires at least 15 to 20 years. Full maturity is reached after 60 to 80 years. The core of dark heartwood gradually develops, which is covered by outer sapwood. The sandalwood tree is never “chopped down”, but rather uprooted in the rainy season, when the roots are richer in the precious essential oil. The best quality oil comes from the Indian provinces of Mysore and Tamil Nadu, where the harvest of Sandalwood trees are protected by the state government.
- Sandalwood has a sacred 4,000 year old history of being mentioned in Sanskrit and Chinese manuscripts. The oil was used in religious ritual, and many deities and temples were carved from its wood. The wood is soft to carve and is frequently used in sacred fragrant carvings. The ancient Egyptians imported the wood and used it in medicine, embalming and ritual burning to venerate their gods. In Buddhism, it is considered to be one of the three incenses integral to Buddhist practice, together with Aloes wood and Cloves. Depression, anxiety and insomnia were thought to be improved by sandalwood. It was believed to promote spiritual practices, peaceful relaxation, openness and "grounding." It is used in many death ceremonies to help the crossing over, and to comfort mourners. It is also used in many forms of initiation rites to open the disciples mind to receive consecration. In the Zoroastrian Temples it burns in there sacred fires to soothe the troubles of all humanity. It is used by the Jewish, the Buddhist, the Hindus, as well as almost every other belief system for its vast diversity in attributes.
- Its ardent admirers have called Sandalwood oil "Liquid Gold," due to its precious nature. Once the oil has been distilled it is matured for six months so that it can achieve the right maturity and perfume. It develops from a very pale yellow to a brownish yellow. It is extremely thick and viscous with a heavy, sweet, woody and fruity aroma which is pungently balsamic.
- Sandalwood trees are all protected by the government of India; their population has been vastly reduced in the past decade. While government approval is needed to harvest even one sandalwood tree, poaching is prevalent!
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