Sandalwood is the heartwood of trees in the genus Santalum, prized for a sweet, warm, smooth, faintly creamy scent. Unlike agarwood, which forms resin in response to injury, sandalwood is fragrant because essential oil gradually builds up in the core of the tree over many years. Two species are named most often, Santalum album and Santalum spicatum, and they are not the same.
What sandalwood is
Sandalwood is a hemiparasitic tree: its roots attach to the roots of other plants to draw extra nutrients, so growing it usually requires a “host” tree alongside. It grows slowly; the heartwood stores oil only gradually, and it takes many years, often several decades, before the wood is fragrant enough to be worth harvesting.
The scent is very different from the agarwood family. It is soft, sweet, a little milky and rich, with a hint of dry wood and warmth; less spicy, less intense. Many people find it gentler and more approachable than agarwood, so it is often the first choice for someone new to wood-based scents. To compare with a wood that makes resin, read how agarwood forms.
For a long time sandalwood has been tied to ritual and craft in South and East Asia: as incense for offerings, in carved objects and in perfume. This article, however, speaks only about scent and culture, not health uses.
Santalum album and Santalum spicatum
Santalum album is usually called Indian sandalwood (or Mysore sandalwood after its best-known region) and is regarded as the benchmark for the sandalwood scent. It is native to southern India and parts of Southeast Asia, and is now grown in several places, including Australia.
Santalum spicatum is Australian sandalwood, growing naturally in the dry country of Western Australia. Its wood tends to smell slightly drier and sharper and less creamy-sweet than S. album, and it yields less oil. Even so, it is a genuine material, widely used and with its own character.
One thing to watch is that the name “sandalwood” is easily misapplied. Many fragrant woods in the market are sold as sandalwood without belonging to the genus Santalum. The simplest way to avoid confusion is to ask for the botanical name.
Santalol: the compound behind the scent
Sandalwood oil contains many compounds, of which the santalols (α-santalol and β-santalol) stand out, making up a large share of S. album oil. It is the santalols that create the soft, warm, faintly milky woodiness.
S. spicatum oil has a lower santalol content and a different makeup, so its scent differs slightly. The two species should not be treated as complete substitutes, although they can be blended in some products. On responsible sourcing, see sustainable agarwood and CITES.
In burning incense, sandalwood often serves as a base note, rounding the scent and extending its staying power. It goes well with agarwood, cinnamon, vetiver and flowers, and gives a quiet foundation for brighter notes.
Why supplies are limited
Because the trees grow slowly and demand is high, wild sandalwood has been overharvested in many places. Santalum album is classed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). India, its home, has long regulated the harvesting and trade of natural sandalwood; the details (exports included) change over time and by state, so check official sources if it matters.
Today part of the supply comes from plantations, especially in Australia and India, where S. album is grown with host trees. Plantations ease pressure on forests but still take many years to mature, so genuine sandalwood has never been cheap.
One easily missed point is that good sandalwood does not have to be loud. Its character lies in smoothness: a light opening that thickens into a warm, soft layer that lingers. If a so-called sandalwood hits hard at once and then fades or turns sharp, that often points to synthetic fragrance or mixed wood.
You can also get to know the scent without burning anything, by smelling a small piece of clearly sourced wood, or a cone with sandalwood within the blend. Using your own nose is the quickest way to learn.
Choosing responsibly
When buying anything containing sandalwood, ask the seller which species, from where, whether it is plantation or wild, and whether paperwork is available. Be wary of “100% sandalwood” at an unusually low price. Artificial sandalwood scent tends to be sharply sweet, powdery and lacking in smoothness. Sandalwood suits many months, see matching incense scents to the seasons.
At Yūgen we prefer to build blends from botanical ingredients and state them clearly on the label. If you enjoy gentle woody scents, browse the shop or take the Scent Finder to find a Woody group that fits you.
As with all incense, burn in a ventilated place and in moderation.
FAQ
What is sandalwood?
Sandalwood is the heartwood of trees in the genus Santalum, known for a sweet, warm, smooth, slightly creamy scent.
How do Santalum album and Santalum spicatum differ?
They differ in origin and in scent character; the sections above compare them.
Why are sandalwood supplies limited?
Demand is high and some places, such as India, regulate harvesting and trade, so choosing responsible sources matters.
Sandalwood is at its sweetest after years of slow, quiet growing.