Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album) (Santalum album)

Sandalwood oil (Santalum album) is a volatile essential oil, not a nutritional food source, and therefore lacks conventional macronutrients (no protein, carbohydrates, fat, or fiber in dietary context). Its value lies entirely in its bioactive phytochemical composition. Key compounds include: **Primary sesquiterpenoids:** α-santalol (41–55% of oil composition) and β-santalol (16–24%), which are the principal therapeutic agents responsible for anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and skin-soothing properties. **Other sesquiterpenes:** epi-β-santalol (3–6%), α-bergamotol (2–5%), β-santalene (1–3%), α-santalene (1–2%), and santalic acid (trace). **Minor constituents:** lanceol (~1.5%), nuciferol (~0.5%), and teresantalol (trace). **Volatile aromatic aldehydes and ketones:** santenone and nor-tricycloekasantalal in trace amounts. The oil is lipophilic with high dermal bioavailability; α-santalol demonstrates transdermal absorption rates of approximately 60–70% when applied topically, reaching systemic circulation within 20–30 minutes. Inhalation bioavailability is also notable, as volatile sesquiterpenols cross the blood-brain barrier readily, contributing to documented increases in alpha brain wave activity and reductions in salivary cortisol. The oil contains no vitamins, minerals, or dietary fiber. Caloric content is negligible at therapeutic doses (typically 1–3 drops or ~0.05–0.15 mL per application). Total sesquiterpenol content typically exceeds 70% of the oil by weight, with santalol isomers serving as quality markers per ISO 3518 standards. α-Santalol's IC50 for COX-2 inhibition is approximately 15–25 µM, supporting its documented anti-inflammatory bioactivity.