Evidence supporting the use of: Sandalwood
For the health condition: Infection (viral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Sandalwood (primarily from Santalum album) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Historically, sandalwood has been applied in various forms (oils, pastes, infusions) for conditions believed to involve "cooling" or purifying effects, which included infections or inflammatory processes, sometimes interpreted as "fevers" or "heat" in traditional paradigms. There are anecdotal and textual reports from traditional medicine sources suggesting its use for skin infections and general immune support, including some references to viral conditions, although the distinction between bacterial and viral was not made in historical texts.
From a scientific perspective, sandalwood essential oil and its main constituent, alpha-santalol, have demonstrated mild antimicrobial activity in vitro, but robust evidence for antiviral effects, especially in human clinical settings, is lacking. Only a few laboratory studies hint at possible activity against certain viruses, but these findings are preliminary and do not directly translate into clinical efficacy. No significant clinical trials support sandalwood's use for treating or preventing viral infections. Thus, its use for viral infections is supported mainly by tradition rather than scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)
2'-FucosyllactoseAbies spectabilis
Acemannan
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agave
AHCC
Ajoene
Alchornea
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Artepillin C
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Bauhinia
bee propolis
Belamcanda
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
betulinic acid
black cumin
Blepharis
boneset
Brazilian peppertree
burdock
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
carvacrol
cassia bark
casticin
cat's claw
Centipeda
Cistus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
eucalyptus
European Elder
fernbush
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geranium
ginger
Globulins
Glucan peptides
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hypericin
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
iodine
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Labdanum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lapachol
lauric acid
Lentinan
lichen
licorice root
liverwort
Lomatium
mangosteen
mangostin
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Myrobalan
Naphthoquinones
oriental arborvitae
pau d'arco
Pelargonium
Phellodendron
phlorotannins
Phragmites
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
polysaccharides
Premna
Quebracho
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Rhabdosia rubescens
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
sarsaparilla
selenium
Shikimic Acid
Shikonin
Simaruba
Smoketree
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet wormwood
Swertia
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
Trametes
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Tylophorine
Verbascoside
Viscum coloratum
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Sandalwood
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Fever
Fungal Infections
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Herpes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (viral)
Insomnia
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Laryngitis
Migraine
