Initially, this oil was extracted in India by crude methods. Before World War I, sandalwood from the Mysore district was distilled in Germany and sold there. However, when World War I broke out in 1914, this route of extraction had to be closed down, resulting in a loss of revenue to the exchequer. In 1916-17, the Sandalwood oil distillery was established in Mysore by the then Mysore government to distill oil from sandalwood. In 1977, the Mysore district had about 85,000 sandalwood trees, and production reported during 1985-86 was about of raw sandalwood. To preserve its importance to the economy, according to the Government Gazetteer, the government introduced special laws and regulations. In the erstwhile princely state of Mysore, sandal was a "royal tree" with the state government controlling it. This oil has been registered for protection under the geographical indication of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement. In 2006, it was listed as "Mysore Sandalwood Oil" under the GI Act 1999 of the Government of India, with registration confirmed by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks.
Uses
The heartwood or the trunk of the sandalwood tree and also its roots are used in the oil extraction process. The oil is used in the manufacture of soaps, incense, scents, and cosmetics; it also has several uses in religious rites, skin and hair therapeutic treatments, and in pharmaceuticals. There are many varieties of sandalwood oil, but Mysore sandalwood oil is considered one of the best. The sandalwood oil produced in Mysore accounts for 70% of the world's sandalwood production. It is used as an ideal "blender fixative" and in the blending of many popular perfumes in the world; thus, it is sold at a premium rate. This oil has an assured minimum of 90% santalol, of standard quality, and is comparable to any sandalwood oil produced elsewhere. According to Swami Vivekananda, Mysore was identified with sandalwood, and was integral to the religious, social and ceremonial life of the east. Vivekananda said "the lingering perfume of this wood may be truly said to have made its conquest of the world". It has been part of folk culture and herbal heritage and its sweet smell has for centuries been a part of Indian religion. The heartwood of the tree, which is not affected by insects, has been used to fashion furniture and temple structures in India. Its oil is enticing and has been considered an aphrodisiac, as its aroma has similarity with androsterone, a male hormone. In Ayurvedic medicine, sandalwood is used to combat urinary tract infections, prostate dysfunction, diarrhea, earache, and lung infections. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use it to treat cholera, gonorrhea, and abdominal pain.
Nowadays, with the study & research of Dr Shalini Mohan, Mysore Sandalwood Oil or any pure Sandalwood Oil of therapeutic Food grade can be taken orally also and it is generally safe for human consumption in small amounts as per approval is given by the Food and Drug Administration i.e., 0.001% and widely can be used in the food industry. Dr Shalini has also explained, how Indian Sandalwood Oil has a healthy inflammatory response properties in skin models and Psoriasis and offer Mood support and calm the mind due to a high percentage of α-santalol in the Sandalwood Oil. Therapeutic grade Sandalwood Oil is added to mineral water less than a drop-wise to enhance the flavor of the water and to freshen the mind. Edible Sandalwood Oil is widely being sold through e-commerce portal after her revelation of study.
