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Aqua Oleum Sandalwood Essential Oil 10ml
Indian or Agmarked Sandalwood is the most prominent and sought after of the
wood oils. The Agmark seal is given by the Indian Government as proof of
quality and that the oil conforms to approved standards. However, even today
almost half of the oil is still exported without the necessary documentation and
qualities leave a lot to be desired. The Indian government has tried to
introduce tougher legislation in order to reduce the volume of illegal exports
and illegal felling of young trees.
New Caledonian oil is also in vogue at present, but is still more expensive
due to the excessive freight and handling charges.
Many rumours have been circulating over the years about shortages,
availability, lack of replanting, logging young trees etc. No matter whom you
speak to, there will always be a different twist on the previous information you
received. One thing is certain however, the illegal export of Indian Sandalwood
Oil will continue, as will the illegal logging of immature Sandalwood trees. It
may take a number of years, but the Indian oil will gradually become scarce, as
the so-called replanting projects are not properly coordinated and organised.
The Sandalwood tree is basically a parasite, depending on other trees for
survival. The roots of the developing Sandalwood tree tap into the roots of
surrounding trees for nutrients it cannot readily absorb itself. In most cases
it doesn’t destroy the host tree, but inhibits its potential growth. Therefore
if you are told of Sandalwood ‘plantations’ you are being misled, as the trees
will not survive on their own and are developed in the presence of other trees.
Sandalwood Oil Wild
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Principal constituents by % |
min |
max |
|
alpha-santanol |
47
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49
|
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beta-santanol |
40
|
42
|
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alpha + beta santolene |
8
|
10
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Although the heartwood is the source of the oil, the roots are known to
accumulate the greatest amount. The present method of distillation consists of
percolating steam under pressure through coarsely powdered sandalwood chips,
packed in stills, with the distillate collected in receivers. After separation
the crude oil is stored in airtight containers and refined subsequently by
redistillation under vacuum. The spent wood after extraction is used as fuel or
for manufacturing incense sticks. Most people do not realise that pure
Sandalwood has to be re-distilled as the initial extract is too crude for use.
Because of the high value of the oil, adulteration is quite common at source.
Principally used is Guaiacwood oil, and more recently a Cedarwood oil known
locally as Morpanki Oil, which we call Thuja Orientalis.
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