Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Chandana

Santalum album L.

Chandana (Santalum album L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Santalum album is referenced in WHO traditional medicine guidelines. aureus Moy RL, Levenson C 2017. [Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29344319/).

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 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, effective against acne and dermatitis
  • MMP-1 collagenase suppression: Sandalwood oil inhibits MMP-1 expression induced by environmental pollutants and UV, protecting dermal collagen matrix from degradation and preventing premature skin aging
  • 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?

  • Complexion enhancement (Varnya): Validated by clinical studies showing skin brightening, anti-wrinkle, and anti-aging effects through MMP-1 inhibition and antioxidant activity
  • Anti-inflammatory skin soothing (Daha-prashamana): alpha-Santalol COX-2 inhibition validated in laboratory and clinical settings for eczema and dermatitis relief
  • Antimicrobial wound care: Demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against acne-causing bacteria and skin pathogens including S. aureus

What do recent clinical trials 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.

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. 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

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

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

Bioavailability: Alpha-santalol shows good oral bioavailability (50-60%) and excellent dermal absorption (penetration enhancer for other compounds). Beta-santalol similarly well absorbed. Santalol rapidly distributes to lipid-rich tissues. Dermal application of sandalwood paste provides sustained local and some systemic absorption. Essential oil components are volatile—rapid absorption via inhalation. Traditional paste preparation with water on stone preserves particle characteristics for optimal skin delivery.

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

Standardized Extract: Essential oil standardized to alpha-santalol NLT 43% and beta-santalol NLT 16% (East Indian grade). Heartwood extract standardized to total santalols NLT 5%.

Shelf Life: 5+ years (heartwood, intact); 3 years (powder); 5-10 years (essential oil—improves with age); 3 years (capsule/tablet); 5 years (Chandanasava)

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, Pterocarpol, Santalin (colorant)

Extraction Methods

  • Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 3-7% from heartwood)
  • Hydrodistillation for high-quality oil
  • Traditional water-grinding on stone for paste (Lepa)
  • Aqueous decoction for Kashayam
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for oral formulations
  • Supercritical CO2 for premium-grade santalol-rich extract

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 for UTI management
  • 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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Moy RL, Levenson C. 2017. Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in DermatologyThe Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. PMID 29344319
  6. Santha S, Dwivedi C. 2015. Anticancer Effects of Sandalwood (Santalum album)Anticancer research. PMID 26026073
  7. Setzer WN. 2009. Essential oils and anxiolytic aromatherapyNatural product communications. PMID 19831048

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