Australian Sandalwood The wood from the Sandalwood tree is used in many religions and is considered the Tree of Life Wikipedia quotes it is the second most expensive wood in the world, due to its slow growth rate of the tree. This makes sandalwood wood very rare and valuable. The mature sandalwood has a distinct fragrance, which is like being in the forest. It makes you feel calm and has the effect of relieving pressure. Sandalwood prominent health benefits, it increases alertness, relieves anxiety, helps wounds healing and fights bacteria, etc. Origins: Australia is rich in natural resources, abundant sunlight, Sandalwood grows naturally in Western Australia and North Queensland. Sandalwood is a woody flowering tree, that once matured produces a highly aromatic wood. Oil can also be extracted from the tree and the roots and is used for scents and perfumes and for both western medicines and traditional Asian herbal medicines. The timber and the oil also hold significant value in religious rites by Buddhists, Hindus, Parsis and Muslims throughout Asia. There are 15 known variants of Sandalwood that grow naturally across the world stretching from India to the Pacific Islands and Australia. Australia has the worlds largest population of sandalwood. In recent times, Sandalwood plantations have been planted in Western Australia utilising the two most commercially viable variants of the Sandalwood tree being the Australian Sandalwood tree: Santalum Spicatum Santalum Album Six species of Sandalwood are native to Australia, 4 are commercially available and sustainably harvested under government control. Indian (or Traditional) Sandalwood Santalum Album (Plantation grown) Australian (or Western) Sandalwood Santalum Spicatum (Wild harvested and plantation grown) Northern (or Queensland) Sandalwood Santalum Lanceolatum Southern (or Buddha wood) Sandalwood- Eremophila Mitchelli The products available from these species of sandalwood are as: Sandalwood logs and branches: o Traditional carving, o Incense o Religious purposes o Traditional medicines Sandalwood Oil: o Steam distilled o Cosmetics o Perfumes o Traditional and Western medicine Sandalwood Chips: o Room freshener o Insect Protection for Clothes o Herbal Tea o Added to other beverages like wine and spirits to extract the unique flavour of the wood. For further details contact Avid One Aust