Chandana (White Sandalwood)Candana
Strongly pacifies Pitta; mildly pacifies Kapha; can aggravate Vata in excess (drying).
Santalum album · Cooling · Pitta-pacifying
What Ayurveda says
Strongly pacifies Pitta; mildly pacifies Kapha; can aggravate Vata in excess (drying).
Traditional uses
- ·Night sweats and menopausal hot flushes
- ·Burning sensations, facial flushing, prickly heat
- ·Insomnia from heat and irritability
- ·Hyperacidity, urinary burning (mūtra-dāha)
How it is taken
Internal: 1–3 g of authenticated heartwood powder as cold infusion (hima) sipped through the day. External: 1/2 tsp powder mixed with rose-water as a cooling chest/forehead lepa or body splash at night.
Avoid in
- ✕Pregnancy and lactation (internal use)
- ✕Severe Vata states with dryness and constipation
- ✕Known kidney disease (internal medicinal doses)
- ✕With concurrent sedatives or barbiturates
Allergies
Santalaceae family; patch-test topically — can irritate sensitive or broken skin.
Classical alternatives
Usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides) for similar Pitta-cooling and night-sweat support; Yashtimadhu cold infusion for hot flushes with adrenal depletion.
When to see a doctor
Persistent or severe symptoms, pregnancy, children under 12, anyone on prescription medication, and any new or worsening condition should be reviewed by a qualified clinician (GP or vaidya) before starting Chandana (White Sandalwood). Internal use of sandalwood essential oil is NOT advised. Only powdered heartwood from regulated, sustainable sources should be used internally. May reduce urinary output in excess.
Citations & sources
The information presented here is for educational and general wellbeing purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, prescription, treatment or a cure for any condition, and is not a substitute for conventional medical care.
Ayurvedic herbs and formulations contain potent substances that can interact with medications and may be unsafe for certain conditions. Always consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before use. Ayurveda is classified as a complementary therapy in the UK and complements, rather than replaces, conventional treatment. We do not operate as registered medical doctors. Stop immediately and seek care if any symptom worsens; in an emergency call 999 or NHS 111.