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Chandana

Santalum album L.

Chandana (Santalum album L.) is a plant drug, also called Candanam, Gandhasara and Malayaja. Santalum album is referenced in WHO traditional medicine guidelines.

Key facts
Botanical nameSantalum album L.
FamilySantalaceae
OrderSantalales
Pharmacopoeia statusSantalum album is referenced in WHO traditional medicine guidelines. ISO 3518:2002 establishes international quality standards for sandalwood oil (41-55% alpha-santalol, 16-24% beta-santalol). Listed in multiple national pharmacopoeias including Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2889785 · Wikidata Q210858 · NCBI Taxonomy 35974
Names in other languages
Sanskritचन्दनम् (candanam), गन्धसार (gandhasāra), मलयज (malayaja), श्रीखण्ड (śrīkhaṇḍa)
Hindiचंदन (caṃdana), चन्दन (candana), संदल (saṃdala)
Tamilசந்தனம்

Sources: 'Names of Plants in India' Hindi list for Santalum album (Wayback capture 2021-11-06): चन्दन chandan, संदल sandal; Flowers of India's Sandalwood page carries the same vernacular set.; 'Names of Plants in India' Hindi list for Santalum album: चन्दन chandan (exact form), संदल sandal.; 'Names of Plants in India' Hindi list for Santalum album: चन्दन chandan, संदल sandal.; 'Names of Plants in India' Sanskrit entry for Santalum album: चन्दनम् chandanam, with a further synonym list including श्रीखण्ड, गन्धसार, मलयज, पटीर, हरिगन्ध, चन्द्रद्युति, पीतसार.; 'Names of Plants in India' Tamil entry for Santalum album: சந்தனம் chandanam; Flowers of India's Sandalwood page gives the same.; 'Names of Plants in India' extended Sanskrit list for Santalum album: गन्धसार gandhasara.; 'Names of Plants in India' extended Sanskrit list for Santalum album: मलयज malayaja (with गन्धसार, गन्धराज, पटीर, हरिगन्ध, चन्द्रद्युति, पीतसार).; Śabda-Sāgara (via wisdomlib): 'Śrīkhaṇḍa (श्रीखण्ड) — Sandal-wood'; Benfey: 'sandal-wood or the sandal-tree'; 'Names of Plants in India' Sanskrit list for Santalum album includes श्रीखण्ड.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2004 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 3Randomised controlled trials
  • 7Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishChandana
Latin/BotanicalSantalum album L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • alpha-Santalol (41-55% of essential oil - primary bioactive sesquiterpene alcohol)
  • beta-Santalol (16-24% of essential oil)
  • epi-beta-Santalol
  • alpha-exo-Bergamotol
  • alpha-Santalen and beta-Santalen (sesquiterpene hydrocarbons ~6%)
  • Santalic acid
  • Teresantalol
  • cis-Nuciferol

How does it work?

  • alpha-Santalol COX-2 inhibition: Directly inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme, reducing prostaglandin E2 synthesis and inflammatory response in skin
  • MMP-1 collagenase suppression: Sandalwood oil inhibits MMP-1 expression induced by environmental pollutants and UV, protecting dermal collagen matrix from degradation
  • ROS scavenging and antioxidant defense: Sesquiterpene alcohols neutralize free radicals generated by oxidative stress, UV radiation, and pollution, protecting skin cell membranes and mitochondria
  • Anti-proliferative epidermal regulation: alpha-Santalol modulates hyperproliferative epidermal keratinocyte activity relevant to psoriasis and wart conditions

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Complexion enhancement (Varnya): traditionally used to enhance complexion. Clinical studies have reported skin brightening, anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects. Antioxidant activity has also been reported.
  • Anti-inflammatory skin soothing (Daha-prashamana): traditionally used for soothing inflamed skin. Laboratory and clinical studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-santalol in the context of eczema and dermatitis.
  • Antimicrobial wound care: traditionally used in wound care. Laboratory studies have reported broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against acne-causing bacteria and skin pathogens, including S. aureus.

What do recent studies show?

  • Moy RL, Levenson C 2017. Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. PMID 29344319
    Clinical trials demonstrated sandalwood album oil efficacy in treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, common warts, and molluscum contagiosum through anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative mechanisms.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Contact sensitization rate is low (0.1-2.4% in routine patch testing), but allergic contact dermatitis to sandalwood oil has been reported; patch testing recommended before widespread use
  • ISO 3518:2002 quality standards ensure authenticity - adulteration with synthetic santalol or other Santalum species (S. spicatum) may alter safety profile. Only S. album oil meets pharmacological standards

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Santalic acid
  • Teresantalol
  • cis-Nuciferol

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Taila (oil), Lepa (paste), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Chandanasava (fermented), Chandanadi Vati

Standard Dosage: 3-6g heartwood powder; 5-15 drops essential oil (external); 500mg extract capsule; 15-30ml Chandanasava; paste externally as needed

Optimal Timing: Paste applied morning and evening for skin care; internal use after meals with cool water for Pitta conditions; Chandanasava after meals; oil for aromatherapy anytime

Storage: Essential oil in amber glass with tight closure (oil improves with age if properly stored). Powder in airtight containers. Cool, dry conditions. Heartwood blocks can be stored indefinitely in dry conditions.

Marker Compounds: Alpha-santalol, Beta-santalol, Santalic acid, Teresantalol, Alpha-santalene, Santene

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Ushira (Vetiver) for cooling and Pitta-pacifying formulations
  • With Kumkuma (saffron) for complexion-enhancing preparations
  • With Yashtimadhu for urinary tract health
  • With Gokshura in urinary formulations
  • With Manjishtha for skin radiance formulations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2

  1. Han C, Zhang Z, Adiham A and others. 2025. Santali Albi Lignum: From traditional efficacies to pharmacological properties and modern therapeutic applicationsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40419205 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120031
  2. Alam MA, Gani MA, Shama G and others. 2021. Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 - a narrative reviewReviews on environmental health. PMID 33155997 · doi:10.1515/reveh-2020-0106

Randomised controlled trials3

  1. Huang M, Du H, Lai J and others. 2024. Clinical efficacy of Kuanxiong aerosol for patients with prehospital chest pain: A randomized controlled trialPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 38091825 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155206
  2. Bhat TA, Begum W. 2017. Efficacy of Tamarindus indicus, Melia azadirach and Santalum album in syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge: A single-blind randomised controlled trialJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 29257757 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0023
  3. Hongratanaworakit T, Heuberger E, Buchbauer G. 2004. Evaluation of the effects of East Indian sandalwood oil and alpha-santalol on humans after transdermal absorptionPlanta medica. PMID 14765284 · doi:10.1055/s-2004-815446

Other clinical studies and reviews7

  1. Rajarajan K, Jadhav M, Rajendran A and others. 2025. Genetic and genomic resources of Santalum album: past achievements and future prospectsGenetica. PMID 41313490 · doi:10.1007/s10709-025-00251-6
  2. Wang R, Shi G, Liu Y and others. 2025. Therapeutic potential of α-santalol: Sources, mechanisms, and anti-tumor prospectsFitoterapia. PMID 41167347 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106957
  3. Zha WL, Zi JC. 2021. Advances in biotechnological production of santalenes and santalolsChinese herbal medicines. PMID 36117763 · doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2020.11.002
  4. Alam MA, Quamri MA, Ayman U and others. 2021. Understanding Humma-e-Wabai (epidemic fever) and Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic disease) in the light of Unani medicineJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 33544515 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0124
  5. Parvizi MM, Zare F, Handjani F and others. 2020. Overview of herbal and traditional remedies in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis based on Traditional Persian MedicineDermatologic therapy. PMID 32401415 · doi:10.1111/dth.13566
  6. Alam MA, Quamri MA, Sofi G and others. 2020. Understanding COVID-19 in the light of epidemic disease described in Unani medicineDrug metabolism and personalized therapy. PMID 34704695 · doi:10.1515/dmpt-2020-0136
  7. Moy RL, Levenson C. 2017. Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in DermatologyThe Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. PMID 29344319

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.