Sandalwood and Stress—Taking The Edge Off + Soothing the Senses Giveaway

Sandalwood and Stress

Photos via Quintis 

While many of us find the holidays joyful, there is also stress, uncertainty, and loss following a very difficult time of pandemic, economic challenges, social strife and more. Among the things we can do when feeling stress is to take time for ourselves and explore the benefits in using fragrance to cope, calm, and center. “Sandalwood has the ability to calm the mind, uplift the soul and excite the senses. It has been used for thousands of years in healing, medicine, and adornment.” –Jeffrey Paul (Creator of fragrance as wellness & Fragrance, Wellness and Beauty Editor for Instep Magazine).

sandalwood oil

Sandalwood Essential oil and bottle from Quintis

As I sit at my desk and look at deadlines and a busy calendar, I can smell the day-old waft of sandalwood from the blotter next to me. It encourages me to pause and helps me focus. As I have taught various groups about aromatics, many people have found that it takes time for the fragrance of sandalwood to move to their nose from a scent strip and I remind them that it asks them to be patient. A quality sandalwood oil will have two large molecules, α-santalol and ß-santalol, that support the longevity of the scent and that unfold slowly on paper or skin. Both contribute to the unique cedary, woody, resinous, milky scent of the oil: in particular, α-santalol has been found to affect mood and attentiveness as it increases our ability to concentrate and while also feeling at peace.

sandalwood flowers via common stock

Sandalwood reminds us to be a part of our community by both giving and receiving. As a sapling, its roots reach out to neighboring plants for nourishment and hydration. As the tree matures and ages, it gives back to its surroundings by providing flowers for nectar, nesting and protection for wildlife, and seeds for nourishment. By aging in the place where it belongs, sandalwood develops its precious scented heartwood much like an elder gains wisdom. As we approach the holidays, we can remember that we are part of a community of our choice, and we can both give and receive support.

best skincare and fragrances with sandalwood

  photo from Quintis

Artisans living in Kannauj, India have known through centuries the sensual feel of sandalwood carvings and beads that release their scent when warmed with skin. Peoples of the Pacific Islands knew of the beauty of sandalwood and scented their hair and skin with coconut oil infused with sandalwood. In India unguents made from fine powder are used as an antioxidant and for a cooling effect. According to Ayurvedic thought, sandalwood is said to remove sins and sorrow while augmenting wealth. Simply inhaling the fragrance affects our respiration and pulse leading to a calm and relaxed state.

buddha sandalwood

 Buddha from Quintis.com.au

At the end of another challenging year, we can work on getting rid of the stress and welcoming in a hopeful new year. How do we do this? It may be as simple as having a favorite scarf or a piece of absorbent paper that you scent with the essential oil to carry with you through the day. If you are traveling, take some sandalwood with you. Meditation can be enhanced through focusing on a familiar aroma like sandalwood as a focal point to keep our thoughts from wandering.

Sandalwood soothes us through our senses whether we breathe in the scent or smooth sandalwood-scented lotion on our skin. It takes us to a place of peace and belonging; and it reminds us of the value of patience. As the holidays come and go and the new year arrives, remember to center with sandalwood.

Samples of Indian sandalwood kindly provided by Quintis.

Elise Vernon Pearlstine, Editor and Author of Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance

Please read Michelyn’s interview with Vanessa Ligovich, Chief Marketing Officer of Quintis here

Please read our World Perfumery Congress Report where Firmenich’s Principal Perfumer Frank Voekl and Ilaria Resta, Global President discuss the shift  over the past few years towards  fragrance as wellness

Sandalwood oil can relieve stress

 Quintis Sandalwood oil

Thanks to Quintis we have 10 ml of sustainable Indian sandalwood oil for one registered reader worldwide. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you find most interesting about the therapeutic properties of Sandalwood, what you learned and where you live (Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Syria are excluded. Draw closes 12/24/2022

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @elisepearlstine @quintissandalwood @jeffreypaulbeauty

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We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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27 comments

  • amanna says:

    I love a good, pure sandalwood oil and have been using my current favorite frequently (for the reasons stated at the start of the review). The way sandalwood whispers instead of shouts its presence and enhances meditation is what I find most interesting. I hadn’t considered the connection between sandalwood and community before – good food for thought, especially during the holidays. Best wishes and holiday cheer from the US!

  • Jeremi says:

    The way sandalwood helps our respiration and pulse leading to a calm and relaxed state was the thing I found the most interesting. I learned that sandalwood soothes us through our senses. I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU.

  • dLin says:

    Very interesting how powered sandalwood can have a cooling effect, and the smell itself can help you relax. From TX USA

  • rachelng says:

    Elise!!! ❤️❤️❤️ What beautiful descriptions! Quintis is the Best! The students in my fragrance club Love the Quintis sandalwood samples they were so kind to donate! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    Thank You Quintis!

  • Johnmc500 says:

    Removing sins and sorrow and augmenting wealth.
    Getting rid of stress and welcoming a new year.
    Wishing this for all the readers this holiday season.
    Oklahoma USA

  • Salem says:

    I didnt know that sandalwood could actually help regulate breathing and the pulse. Also, the many myths and rituals revolving around sandalwood are very interesting!
    I live in the EU.

  • k says:

    I didn’t know this about sandalwood! I find it interesting that sandalwood takes time to leave the blotter, which I understand but hadn’t thought of quite this way before. But it explains why I am sometimes to drawn to sandalwood scents. I will certainly be wearing some this holiday season. Thank you for the giveaway, writing from the EU.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    Meditation can be enhanced through focusing on a familiar aroma like sandalwood as a focal point to keep our thoughts from wandering.

    Sandalwood soothes us through our senses whether we breathe in the scent or smooth sandalwood-scented lotion on our skin. It takes us to a place of peace and belonging; and it reminds us of the value of patience. As the holidays come and go and the new year arrives, remember to center with sandalwood. I am intrigued by the soothing properties and tranquil state of meditation and concentration and focus. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    Sandalwood soothes us through our senses whether we breathe in the scent or smooth sandalwood-scented lotion on our skin. It takes us to a place of peace and belonging; and it reminds us of the value of patience. As the holidays come and go and the new year arrives, remember to center with sandalwood. Fascinated by the soothing properties of Sandalwood as a lotion or breathing the scent. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Ken White says:

    I’m not sure about Ayurvedic thought, but I know fragrances can have a calming effect. I wear something to bed every night and it helps me fall asleep. I’d love to try pure sandalwood oil for relaxation. New Jersey, USA

  • SandiL says:

    Elise, what perfect timing on this post. So many are trying to survive the chaos that seems to be everywhere with one or all of the following meditation, exercise, massage, energy work, essential oils, and perfumes. I treasure my Sandalwoods one and all. I loved the next paragraph because I know its validity through my affair with Sandalwood. Sandalwood soothes us through our senses, whether we breathe in the scent or smooth sandalwood-scented lotion on our skin. It takes us to a place of peace and belonging; and it reminds us of the value of patience.

  • drjedi says:

    I learned about the alpha-santalol component of sandalwood oil affecting positively mood and attentiveness, while also creating a sense of peace. It’s interesting also how sandalwood has been used therapeutically in Ayurveda for a long time. By the way, I am currently reading Elise’s book Scent: A Natural History of Perfume and find it very readable and informative. Thank you for yet another informative article. Thanks also for the draw. I am from the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for such a fascinating writeup and giveaway.

    I really found it interesting that in the ayurvedic system, sandalwood is said to remove sins and sorrow while augmenting wealth. Of course, one has known about the calming effects of sandalwood for a long time, but this spiritual aspect is new to me.

    I must appreciate Quintis for their commitment to sustainable sandalwood.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Torax says:

    OMG, I tried my fragrance journey with sandalwood essential oils that are used for massages. I am a huge sandalwood lover and it is one of my favorite notes in the worald.
    I found fascinating that sandalwood is used for therapeutic porposes specially for the stress. I really need a therapy using sandalwood. Would totally love to win this one.
    USA here.

  • psebi101 says:

    I knew that sandalwood is calming and releases stress and was happy to read about how nations around the world used the material. I live in the EU.

  • Nom de Guerre says:

    Just what I’ll need after the exhausting holiday spree 🙂 I’ve never smelled sandalwood in an isolated form and the writeup sure makes me want to. Greetings from Riga, Latvia.

  • celiamp8 says:

    Only recently I started wearing some of my sandalwood perfume samples and although it my be placebo effect I do notice myself more at ease, more open to talk to strangers and engage with the unexpected. Living in the UK, I’d love to participate in the draw.

  • opalbear says:

    I love that traditionally sandalwood removes sorrow and increases wealth. And that for so many of us it is grounding, I believe it truly reaches our heart, bypassing our mind altogether. Which is why it helps with meditation. If our center is grounded our thoughts can settle easier.
    Sandalwood is my favorite wood note by far.
    I would treasure this!
    From USA.

  • jefffen says:

    Love the scent of sandlewood that is calming and soothing, with its deep and woody aromas. As an Australian I would love to see what Quintis has developed! Live in London, UK.

  • yvree says:

    Its an interesting take to use sandlewood as a focus of meditation. I would love to try. I dont wear my sandlewood frags enough. I live in the US

  • Christie says:

    That was a fascinating read about the molecule santalol. Also, the give and take nature of the sandalwood tree fits beautifully with the balanced serenity it offers us. I love the suggestion of putting a bit of sandalwood oil on a scarf to have with you. I would enjoy that greatly.

    Thanks for the giveaway, In the USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Thank you for the interesting thoughts about sandalwood and its utility as a soothing aromatic. I learned quite a bit about the way sandalwood is used beyond perfumery, such as jewelry in Kannauj. Also, I appreciate the reminder that this is a time for community and togetherness. I haven’t had the chance to try a quality sandalwood oil in isolation, but sandalwood fragrances do always strike me as calming, and I’ll focus on that aspect of sandalwood next time I wear one. Thanks Elise!

    I’m in the midwest, USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I found this part to be interesting: “A quality sandalwood oil will have two large molecules, α-santalol and ß-santalol, that support the longevity of the scent and that unfold slowly on paper or skin. Both contribute to the unique cedary, woody, resinous, milky scent of the oil: in particular, α-santalol has been found to affect mood and attentiveness as it increases our ability to concentrate and while also feeling at peace.” It caused me to remember that I have thought before that certain fragrances might cause me to feel better and/or might cause me to be more attentive. I’d like to have some of this Indian sandalwood. I live in the U.S.A.

  • wandering_nose says:

    Sandalwood had fascinated me for a long time now and in a way I have always treated it as more than just a perfume ingredient. It is like a remedy for the soul, calming, soothing, uplifting. I have been meditating for years but after reading Elise’s review I am going to try meditation with scent as the focal point. Quintis sandalwood sounds like it would be the perfect choice for that. Happy peaceful Christmas to everyone! I am based in the EU

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Wonderful review Elise! What i find most interesting about the therapeutic properties of Sandalwood is its dual ability to both calm the mind AND excite the senses. Generally things that excite don’t also calm but i have definitely found sandalwood to do both at the same time.

    I learned that a quality sandalwood oil will have two large molecules, α-santalol and ß-santalol, that together support the longevity of the scent. I find the chemistry of perfumery very fascinated so I really enjoyed learning that. I live in the US.