Customer Reviews

Sandalwood (Australian) 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil- 10 ml

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

EDITED OCTOBER 20, 2011:

Since writing the below review, this product has been changed. The item for sale now does indeed appear to be a true santalus sandalwood. Previously, when I wrote this review, it was an osyris. I considered deleting this review, but since I have no idea how the switching of products on this site works nor how often this might happen, instead I would simply advise that people read the small print on the item description carefully, to make sure that the oil being offered for sale is really one that you want.

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I'm not at all comfortable with the way this product has been named and presented on this site. This oil is derived from the tree named Osyris lanceolata. It is more usually known as "AFRICAN Sandalwood," to distinguish it from true sandalwood, which comes from Santalum album: not only a different tree, but a tree belonging to a completely different *family.*

Now, admittedly, if you look at the fine print description in the listing on this site, the latin name of the tree is given, as is the term "African sandalwood." So the information is certainly there, for cautious consumers. I see from the reviews, however, that at least one person was taken in, discovering only after they had bought this oil that it didn't smell to them very much at all like sandalwood they had smelled in the past. Unsurprising, that, since we're not even talking about the same species of tree!

A commenter on one of those disappointed reviews objected that the high-quality sandalwood from Mysore is so scarce these days that one shouldn't expect to find it for sale. Well, no, maybe not, but it is still possible to find other varieties of santalum for sale. There are the Australian and Vanuatuan sandalwoods, which are widely available and at least still belong to the Santalum family. This osyris is a different plant altogether.

That said, however, African Sandalwood is a perfectly pleasant woody oil, and there's no reason to disdain it just because it isn't Santalum Album. It does smell vaguely like sandalwood -- or, at least, in the same overall fragrance family -- and for that reason, many soap and cosmetics manufacturers have started using it lately to substitute for the far more expensive true sandalwoods. I personally like African sandalwood a lot. I don't own any from this seller, but a friend of mine does and let me have a whiff of hers: it smelled quite nice to me, and this is a good price for it. So I'm not necessarily saying 'don't buy the oil.' What I'm saying is: be aware that what you are getting is not "true" sandalwood, and don't be surprised if it doesn't smell like sandalwood oil that you may have smelled in the past. It's just not the same stuff. Perfectly lovely in its own right, but not the same oil.

PS - A tip for those of you who are unhappy with your Osyris: Like real sandalwood, it gets better with age. If you notice an acrid top note, let it sit for a while, even up to a year or two, if you can. You may be surprised by how much better it will smell after it's aged.

This aroma is out of this world! So woody and warm, and gets better with age. This is one oil I cannot live without. It's great for so many things: dry skin, eczema, cystitis, nervousness, it's calming and great for meditation. I always put in a few drops when I make cologne for my husband. Definitely worth it!

Makes me want to take a deep breathe of this stuff. I cant get enough of it. It is clean and warm and very high quality. Yum!

product arrived very promptly. I don't think this is the best sandalwood scent; it's a bit too medicinal and less of the earthy scent I associate with sandalwood.

This essential oil is not only top quality, but has an exotic aroma that almost demands relaxation and calm. I use it as a blend on my face when I give myself a facial massage. The aroma and massage puts me in a very tranquil mood. I recommend it highly!

I have used a few different Sandawood essential oils before, and this was a purchase trying to find a new supplier instead of having to get it from India, it was a dissapointment as the oil smell is very different from what I grew used to, I may spoiled having grown accostumed to the good stuff, but this is not a good substitute.

I am really loving this oil. I actually prefer it to the other types of Sandalwood. Wonderful soft aroma, I use this for anything: skincare, massage, diffuser blends, etc. Makes a wonderful base note for blending or by itself. Heavenly!

I read a review on this particular oil about it being African (or Osyersis, I believe). I did not find any information as this reviewer had written and thought perhaps the review was for the wrong product. The label itself sates that the botanical name is Santalum Spicatum, vs the other one reviewed.
On receiving this Sandalwood, I was very happily surprised by the quality. I had only smelt Sandalwood overseas and thought I would never be able to find it again. This oil, to my joy, is exactly as I remembered. It is rich, earthy, complex and has no bitter tones. A great..I mean SUPERB...find and buy!