SANDALWOOD

Sandalwood is a fragrant wood that is native to India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Unlike other fragrant woods, sandalwood can retain its fragrance for many years. 
 
The scent of sandalwood is rich, warm, and deeply grounding. It has a smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet aroma with subtle earthy and woody undertones. Sandalwood is often described as having a "creamy wood" scent, which comes from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree.
 
The scent being released by sandalwood incense is known to lower the levels of anxiety and stress.  Burning sandalwood incense relieves insomnia as the aroma of sandalwood is a great sedative. Sandalwood is widely regarded as a sacred scent in  Eastern spiritual traditional where it is used to deepen meditation, enhance spiritual connection, and promote inner peace. Whether burned it creates a peaceful environment conducive to relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness.
 
Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years in a 
ritual context. It appears in Buddhist and Muslim rituals, and was one of several fragrant plants used by the Egyptians in embalming rituals. In Buddhism burning sandalwood incense transforms desires and promotes human mindfulness. In many traditions of modern Paganism, it is associated with healing and purification. In Hindu rites, sandalwood paste is often used to consecrate ritual tools before ceremonies.