| Sandalwood was first used in ancient times, | | | | Chips of wood are burned as an incense or ground to |
| approximately around more than 4,000 years ago. In | | | | make incense sticks. |
| India, it's been valued for at least 2,000 years as one | | | | Out of these well known and economically important |
| of the most sacred trees--an important part of | | | | species is the Indian Sandalwood which has a highest |
| devotional rituals. Sandalwood was an important | | | | oil content ( 6-7%) and a most sought after aroma |
| medicinal herb in traditional Chinese and Tibetan | | | | profile.These species is mostly used to produce |
| medicines. | | | | essential oil.Many of the other species are used for, |
| In China, sandalwood joss sticks are very popular as | | | | furniture, ornaments, sacred objects, carvings and |
| incense By 700 B.C., it was found to be an important | | | | joss sticks (incense). The trees which are used for oil |
| trade item. The Sandalwood tree is highly aromatic | | | | are selected by age and size because of the higher |
| wood. The wood is very expensive and is found | | | | proportion of heartwood in larger trees which has the |
| around the Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean regions | | | | maximum content of oil. This oil is multi-purpose, |
| where it grows and is traded. There are 16 species | | | | which is used in many productive ways. |
| of sandalwood that grow naturally throughout these | | | | Dead-standing or fallen trees are also harvested |
| regions. It is an evergreen tree ranging from tall | | | | because the wood holds onto the essential oil for |
| shrubs to large trees and is a parasitic plant, which | | | | many years. The lower grades of sandalwood, such |
| has special structures on its roots that penetrate the | | | | as the sapwood, are used for incense and for chips |
| roots of other plants around to obtain nutrients. | | | | and powder, while the better logs are used in carving |
| Following tradition, the wood of the sandalwood tree | | | | (from small objects to furniture). Sandalwood paste is |
| is still used to make sacred objects, carvings, and | | | | also made from it, which is widely used in India for |
| various handcrafted ornaments. In the past, it was | | | | marking the skin. Because of its resistance to white |
| often used for temple doors, and it is still valued for | | | | ants, the wood was also used in early buildings. It |
| intricately carved furniture--although with today's high | | | | also has been a key ingredient in perfumes and |
| prices, it is used for this purpose less than in the past. | | | | incense, lotions and body oils. |