Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sandalwood has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. It has been applied topically for a variety of skin conditions, including fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete's foot. The rationale for its use is mainly based on its reputed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional texts describe sandalwood paste or oil as cooling, soothing, and beneficial for skin health, sometimes specifying its use for "itchy" or "infected" lesions, which may include fungal causes.

Scientific validation for sandalwood's antifungal activity is limited. Some in vitro studies have shown that essential oils from Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) and other species possess mild to moderate antifungal activity against certain dermatophytes and yeasts, but these findings are preliminary and do not establish clinical effectiveness. The active compounds, such as α-santalol, have demonstrated some inhibitory effects on fungal growth in laboratory settings. However, there are no robust clinical trials or high-quality studies confirming sandalwood's effectiveness in treating fungal infections in humans.

In summary, sandalwood is primarily used for fungal infections based on traditional practices, with only weak and preliminary scientific evidence supporting this use. More rigorous studies are needed to determine its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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