Some love it, some hate it but there is no denying that there is no other plant in te world that gives off a fragrance like this. Sandalwood is grown in warm climates and especially is the nature’s gift to the Asian subcontinent. This lovely tree has been protected and loved and revered by generations. Without the sandalwood there would be hardly any baths for gods in temples, in ancient India this was the wood used for the Royals to cremate them after their demise, and this is the wood that is still coveted for beauty purposes not just in India but over the world. Another legacy of India that was robbed and looted and spread across the world.
But then Sandalwood tree is not used in its entirety, because it is just the middle that gives the fragrance. It is still a known fact among users in India, you have to be put under duress like sandalwood to give away the real fragrance. Traditionally, this was used to be put on forehead for its cooling qualities, especially used in extremely hot regions of India, to do so the sandalwood tree pieces was rubbed on a stone to extract its pulp and them applied. This happened during daily worship where everyone put this tilak on forehead.
Rich, woody, earthy and warm scent of Sandalwood is unmistakable and when it is used as one of the components in the beauty and self care regiment especially for men, it is predictable, because this husky scent can turn heads and make you feel warm. Sandalwood, is eing used in perfumes and even closer to the perfumes is the aftershaves that are immediately used by the men. Several companies across the world, use either the authentic scent or the laboratory grown copy of sandalwood. Since this tree and especially the scented part of this tree is extremely expensive, expect products which use real sandalwood to be expensive and rare.
Same applies to the perfumes and other products you find in the market. But most authentic is the wood piece of the tree that is rubbed on the stone grind each day in mornings to be applied to God during Pooja so that they enjoy all those components of nature that they have bestowed upon us. If you have smelled this authentic sandalwood paste you will know the real difference between authentic and the lab grown.
