Character
The Story of Nepalese sandalwood
Discover Nepal’s highland sandalwood, a creamy, lingering wood that carries a subtle sweet edge, harvested from the heartwood of ancient trees thriving on the Himalayan slopes.
Heritage
Sandalwood has accompanied human fragrance rituals for more than four millennia, with early references found in ancient Indian scriptures and Egyptian burial customs. Arab traders introduced the wood to the Mediterranean in the seventh century BCE, where it formed the base of solid perfume pastilles. In Nepal, monastic communities prized the oil for meditation, believing its scent steadied the mind. During the 18th century, the Himalayan trade route carried Nepalese sandalwood to European courts, where it appeared in royal colognes. Conservation efforts began in the late 20th century after over‑harvesting reduced wild stands, prompting the establishment of community‑managed plantations that still supply the modern perfume industry.
At a Glance
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Feature this note
Nepal
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Steam distillation
Dried heartwood
Did You Know
"Only about 12 % of Nepal’s original sandalwood forests remain, making each kilogram of oil a rare treasure harvested from trees over a century old."