Sandalwood essential oil is one of the best oils to keep on hand to use around the house. It has many culinary and medicinal uses. Try some of these recipes to see just how easy it is to incorporate sandalwood oil into some of your daily routines and needs.
Cooking
Sandalwood is considered to be a spice and although it may not be a popular ingredient today, there are plenty of older recipes that incorporate it. Most recipes call for sandalwood powder. The oil may be substituted but keep in mind that the oil is much more potent than the powder. Add the oil sparingly by dipping a toothpick into the bottle and adding it to your mix or dish.
Sandalwood Swiss Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 4 ½ ounces butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch allspice
- 4 cups flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons sandalwood powder
Filling:
- 1 cup raspberry jam
Glaze:
- juice from 1 large lemon
- 1 ½ cups confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon butter, melted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl. Using a whisk, beat together until well combined. Melt the butter, if not already. Pour over the sugar and egg mixture. Beat until well combined. Whisk together the cinnamon, allspice, sandalwood and flour (if you are using the oil, leave out at this time). Add to the wet mixture (you can add the essential oil now). Stir until just combined. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest for one hour. Place on a lightly floured surface and roll until it is about half an inch thick. Flour desired cookie cutters and cut shapes from the dough. Spread a bit of jam on half of the cutout dough pieces and then top each jam-covered piece with the remaining cutouts. Place cookies one inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 5 minutes and then turn the baking sheet to ensure even baking. Bake for 12 to 14 more minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are barely brown. Do not over bake. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Sift the confectioners sugar and stir in the melted butter and half of the lemon juice. Add more lemon juice as needed, or until the line left by a spoon dragged through the glaze disappears after 5 seconds. Drizzle glaze over the cookies and store in an airtight container. These cookies taste better with age and will last for a week or two at room temperature.
Sandalwood Syrup and Sherbet
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sandalwood powder
- 5 cups water
- 4 to 5 cups organic unrefined cane sugar
Directions
Soak the sandalwood powder in the water for 12 hours (this step can be omitted if you are using essential oil; just add the oil to the water). Strain the powder from the water. Add the sugar and heat on the stove top until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and continue to simmer until the solution becomes thick and sticky. Strain again until a sterilized jar or bottle for storage. This is your sandalwood syrup. Store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to make sandalwood sherbet, dissolve ¼ or 1/3 of the syrup with ¾ or 2/3 parts of chilled water, whatever your desired taste and consistency is. The syrup will stay fresh for about 2 weeks.
Note: When cooking with essential oils, always make sure that your chosen brand is labeled GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).
Cleaning
Sandalwood oil is a disinfectant and has antiseptic properties. This makes it an excellent essential oil to use when cleaning around the house and the scent that it leaves behind is heavenly. Making your own household cleaners can save you money and create a healthier environment for your family.
Sandalwood All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon borax
- 15 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine. Use on surfaces throughout your home as you would any other general purpose cleaner. If using on delicate surfaces, always conduct a test patch in a hidden area to make sure that the solution will not alter the appearance.
Sandalwood Air Freshener
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 8 drops wild orange essential oil
- 8 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 8 drops clove essential oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine. Spray throughout the room for a fresh scent that also purifies the air. Test any fabrics that the spray may come into contact with to be safe.
Body Care
Sandalwood is mostly known as an ingredient in cosmetics, including perfume, skin care products and hair care solutions. If using a product containing sandalwood oil on your skin, always be sure that your risk for irritation is kept to a minimum by following proper safety precautions.
Sandalwood Deodorant
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup arrowroot powder
- 6-10 drops sandalwood essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together. The final result should resemble cake icing. Store in a covered container or add to an old deodorant stick. Use about 1/8 teaspoon a day for effective results.
Sandalwood Lotion
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Emulsifying wax
- 1/3 cup jojoba oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
- ½ cup distilled water
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E
- 10 drops grapefruit seed extract
- 20 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 5 drops patchouli essential oil
- 5 drops frankincense essential oil
Directions
In a double boiler, melt and stir the emulsifying wax, vegetable glycerin and jojoba oil. Remove from heat and add the vitamin E. Gently warm the water in the microwave until lukewarm. Slowly pour the water into the oil, stirring constantly with a wire whisk until the solution is thick and smooth. Stir in the essential oils and the grapefruit seed extract. Pour the lotion into a dark glass bottle for storage. Cool before placing the cap on or using. Shake occasionally before using and store in a cool, dark place.
