When it comes to combating the dreaded hair loss condition, sandalwood could be one of the most inexpensive and natural ways to help stimulate hair growth. As compared to store-bought hair products, which may contain chemicals that can be harmful for hair in the longer run, using sandalwood is a completely natural remedy that works for most people.
In traditional medicine, sandalwood oil has been used as an antiseptic and astringent, and for the treatment of headaches, stomach aches and urinary and genital disorders.
In India, sandalwood essential oil is used in the treatment of inflammatory and eruptive skin diseases.
Dr Josh Axe said: “Sandalwood oil contains two primary active components, alpha and beta santalol.
“These molecules produce the strong fragrance associated with sandalwood.
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“Alpha-santalol specifically has been evaluated for multiple health benefits.
“Some of these benefits include improving blood glucose control in animal subjects, decreasing inflammation and helping to reduce the proliferation of skin cancer.”
A pleasant smell, sandalwood oil is used as an ingredient in many perfumes, cosmetics and soaps.
The properties of sandalwood oil include santalol and sandalore – organic compounds.
Santalol is responsible for its scent and calming effects.
Santalol, sandolore and sandalwood are all essential oils which may help to promote hair growth.
Studies have shown that exposing human skin cells to the artificial sandalwood-like odour Sandalore, could help improve hair loss.
Sandalore is often added to fragrances and moisturisers to give sandalwood its aroma.
It has also been used in previous experiments in investigating its effect on keratin.
Intrigued by the possible effect sandalore has on hair growth, researchers from the Monasterium Laboratory in Munster, exposed the human scalp tissue to sandalore with impressive results.
Researchers from the University of Manchester found that applying sandalwood to the scalp helped prolong human hair growth.
The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications explaining how the experiment conducted with the synthetic material and human skin samples achieved startling results.
The team found that a receptor cell in the skin known as OR2AT4 was sensitive to chemicals in synthetic sandalwood and when applied to the skin a growth of keratinocytes was stimulated.
A skin healing and hair growth are closely related, the researchers hypothesised that if applying sandalwood would new hair be able to grow.
The researchers reported that the treated hair follicles survived longer than those that went untreated and produced more growth factor.
Although rare, some people may have an allergic reaction so it’s best to test a small patch of skin first mixed with a moisturiser.
Wait to see if your skin reacts before using larger amounts of the oil.
A patch test typically takes two days, so make sure you allow that time to see if a reaction develops.
Once the two-day mark has been passed with no problem, go on to make use of sandalwood oil.
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