Other Names: Sandalwood, Chandana, White sandalwood, white saunders, yellow sandalwood Description: Sandalwood is a small tree that grows primarily in India. The wood of its stem, which grows from 20 to 30 feet high, is heavy and straight-grained and varies in color from white when young to yellow or orange when older. its oval leaves are covered with a whitish bloom; its small flowers, varying in color, grow in numerous cymes. The essential oil contains high amounts of alpha- and beta-santalol. These small molecules possess antibacterial and sedative properties. Synthetic sandalwood does not contain the active ingredients. History: Sandalwood oil was used traditionally to treat skin diseases, acne, dysentery, gonorrhea, and a number of other conditions.1 In traditional Chinese medicine, sandalwood oil is considered an excellent sedating agent.