Synopsis

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

Sandalwood has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic and Unani systems, for managing skin conditions including itching (pruritus). In Ayurvedic texts, sandalwood paste or oil is often recommended for its cooling, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to alleviate itching and skin irritation caused by conditions like heat rash, eczema, or allergic reactions. The traditional use typically involves topical application of sandalwood paste or oil, sometimes in combination with other herbal ingredients.

Scientific evidence supporting sandalwood's efficacy for itching is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that sandalwood oil contains compounds (such as alpha-santalol) with mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These properties could theoretically help reduce itching caused by inflammation or infection. However, robust human clinical trials specifically evaluating sandalwood's effectiveness for treating pruritus are lacking. Most of the support for its use in this context remains anecdotal or based on longstanding traditional practices rather than modern scientific validation.

In summary, while sandalwood is traditionally used for soothing itchy skin, there is insufficient high-quality scientific evidence to strongly support its effectiveness for this purpose. The evidence rating is therefore moderate (2 out of 5), based mostly on traditional use and limited preclinical data.

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