Supporting an Abundant and Diverse Plant Environment
Large amounts of plant material are used to make essential oils. For example, it takes 30 roses to produce one drop of rose essential oil. Because of this, some species are over harvested. One Hawaiian Sandalwood species was used for making furniture, essential oil, and tools. Unfortunately, it was picked to extinction by 1916.* Today, five other species of Sandalwood are endangered or threatened. Even though their endangered status is alarming, these plants are still being over harvested and are sold at very high prices. Anything sold on the market place, such as Sandalwood or Rosewood, is not only unethical, but is also most likely extended or synthetic. Needless to say, Veriditas does not sell endangered species, such as Rosewood and Indian Sandalwood. The endangered species of Sandalwood, Santalum album, is from India. The species we sell, Santalum spicatum, is from Australia. The Australian government carefully manages cultivation and export.
We believe that using oils that have a similar chemical makeup and scent are a better choice for healthy living and supporting our plant kingdom.
Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is comprised up to 95% linalol. Coriander leaf (corriandrum sativum) contains up to 80% linalol and is commonly used as a replacement for rosewood (bois de rose).
Sandalwood (santalum album) replacement suggestions:
For scent – Blue Cypress | As a fixative – Vetiver
Please refer to the following websites for further Sandalwood and Rosewood information.
Sandalwood:
- Sandalwood Ted Talk
- http://redlist.org/search/details.php?species=31852
- http://cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/Books/NTFPAsia/Chapter12-Chapter16.PDF
Rosewood:
* The Plant Book second edition D.J. Mabberley – © 1997 Cambridge University Press
Sandalwood Flowers