Materials: Bhutanese Indian Red Sandalwood (Special Offer)

Size: 15 cm (H) x 10 sticks

Description:

Red incense sticks from Bhutan. Very thick and branchy.

 

Non-chemically formulated. Burns without acrid notes or excessive smoke.

 

Ideal for self-cultivation or light home incense burning.

 

Each stick is approximately 15 cm long. Ten sticks per box.

 

Limited availability. Please call to inquire about stock availability.

 

Detailed Description of Indian Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus)

 

Indian Red Sandalwood, also known as red sandalwood or red sandalwood, is a tropical broadleaf tree native to southeastern India, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It belongs to the genus Pterocarpus in the Fabaceae family. Its heartwood is deep red to purple-red and is prized in traditional medicine, art, and religious ceremonies. Due to excessive deforestation, it is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Red sandalwood is not only renowned for its unique color and aroma, but also for its rich phytochemical composition, which is widely used in medicinal and spiritual practices. The following details its main components and their role in Buddhist rituals.

 

Composition Analysis

Red sandalwood's main active ingredients are primarily derived from its heartwood, which imparts its red color, aroma, and biological activity. Scientific research has shown that its chemical composition is complex, including numerous secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, and phenolics. These components possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer potential, and are commonly used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

The following is a classification of the main chemical constituents of red sandalwood (based on multiple phytochemical studies):

 

| Category | Examples of Main Ingredients | Functions and Properties |

|---------------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **Pigments and Flavonoids** | Santalin (red pigment), Pterocarpin (wing fruit flavonoid) | Responsible for the red color of the heartwood, providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; Santalin is its signature constituent and can be used as a natural dye. |

| **Lignans** | Savinin, Calocedrin, Eudesmin | Inhibit cancer cell growth and have antibacterial and antiviral properties; commonly found in heartwood extracts. |

| **Terpenoids** | α-Eudesmol, α-Bisabolol, Cedrol, Lupeol, Betulin | Have anti-inflammatory and sedative effects; Lupeol and Betulin also have skin-protective and anti-tumor activities. |

| **Phenolics and Tannins** | Phenolic compounds, tannins, anthocyanins | Strong antioxidant properties, providing astringent and antimicrobial properties; tannins aid wound healing. |

| **Other Compounds** | Alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, alcohols, ethers, ketones | Includes carbohydrates, steroids, and others, supporting overall antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. |

 

These components are primarily obtained through heartwood extraction, such as using ethanol or water. Studies have shown that santalin can reach 10-15% in red sandalwood heartwood and is the primary source of its red color. Furthermore, modern analysis (such as HPLC and GC-MS) has revealed valuable compounds such as pterostilbene (a resveratrol derivative), which has potential anti-aging and cardiovascular protective effects. However, due to its rarity, the extraction process must be strictly controlled to avoid environmental damage.

 

Role in Buddhist Ritual

In Buddhist traditions, red sandalwood (often referred to collectively as sandalwood) plays an important spiritual and symbolic role, particularly in South Asia and Mahayana traditions such as Tibetan Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. It serves not only as a material medium but also symbolizes purity, wealth, and awakening. Red sandalwood's red color is considered a symbol of "spiritual wealth," representing a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, while its fragrance is used to purify space and the mind.

 

1. **Incense Burning and Purification Rituals**:

- Red sandalwood powder or sawdust is often used to make incense sticks, which are burned during temple ceremonies, chanting, and offerings to Buddha statues. Its smoke is believed to dispel negative energy, purify the environment, and convey the believer's wishes to the Buddha realm. In Tibetan Buddhism, burning red sandalwood incense helps "open the heart chakra," promoting alertness and calmness during meditation, making it easier for practitioners to enter a meditative state. For example, in puja rituals, it is mixed with other incense to symbolize an offering to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha).

 

2. **Buddhist Beads and Meditation Aids**:

- Red sandalwood is carved into mala beads (rosaries) for chanting mantras or counting breaths. Its touch and aroma aid grounding, reducing anxiety, enhancing concentration, and stimulating inner awareness. In Theravada Buddhism, while monks avoid using red sandalwood for personal adornment (to prevent material attachment), it is still used in temples to symbolize the teaching of avoiding greed. The red color symbolizes the "red lotus" (heart chakra), helping practitioners transform emotions into compassion.

 

3. **Symbolism and Medicinal Roles**:

- In Buddhist texts such as the Avatamsaka Sutra, the red sandalwood tree is described as a "treasure tree," symbolizing wealth and generosity, reminding believers of the merits of generosity. Furthermore, its medicinal properties (such as anti-inflammatory lignans) are used in Buddhist medicinal traditions to treat "heart fire" (emotional imbalance). For example, in healing rituals at Indian Buddhist temples, red sandalwood powder is mixed into a paste and applied to the chakras to restore balance. Historically, red sandalwood was also used in Buddhist carvings and dyeing. For example, in ancient Indian and Tibetan thangka paintings, its red color was used as a sacred pigment, symbolizing the Buddha's wisdom and compassion.

 

Overall, red sandalwood in Buddhism is not only a sensory tool but also a bridge between the mundane and the sacred. Its use emphasizes non-attachment—enjoying its benefits without clinging to them. In modern Buddhist practice, it remains widely used in temples and for personal meditation worldwide, embodying the Buddhist view of harmony between nature and spirituality. It is recommended to choose sustainable sources when using it to respect its ecological value.