Sandalwood

Sandalwood has long been prized for its soothing, sweet fragrance. Arab perfumiers have been using it for thousands of years - powdered, diffused in oil, or burnt as incense - and it is often used in spiritual or religious practices, particularly in India. Sandalwood is a slow-growing parasitic plant that can reach heights of ten metres. Its sweet, woody, rich scent is extracted by steam distilling wood or root chippings. Due to its versatility as an ingredient (it's an excellent fixative, too), sandalwood is immensely popular and vulnerable to over-harvesting - thankfully, new groves are being successfully planted and harvested in Australia, heralding a more sustainable future for sandalwood production.