How to Use Sandalwood as Mosquito Repellent

What is Sandalwood?

Sandalwood is the expensive class of wood that is obtained from genus Santalum. It has been used since 4000 years, due to its calming fragrance for which they are preferred for meditation purposes. Very well known for its rich, warm and woody aroma along with its medicinal properties and religious applications. They are exclusively obtained from Karnataka, and few other parts of South India.

The sandalwood essential oil is well-known to be used mainly in various skin care treatments. The oil is incorporated into ayurvedic medicines and therapies since it is anti-inflammatory and has soothing effects.

What makes Sandalwood an effective mosquito repellent

The chemical composition of sandalwood oil contains a good proportion of both α-santalol and β-santalol which are insect repelling compounds. Other compounds possessed by the oil include santalenes and teresantol which contributes to its repelling property. Because of the distinct characteristics and odour of the plant, it makes a great mosquito repellent.

The oil content has a light mellowing fragrance that is encouraging for day to day usage. It does not contain any allergens and serves to be an organic way of preventing mosquitoes. It can be used on the skin without fear of adverse effects.

Sandalwood has more or less a very strong scent, capable of lasting for more than just an hour. The effect is often pronounced and lingers in the atmosphere for quite a long time when comparing to other common scents. The oil can be used in various ways including, but not limited to, candles, sticks, essential oil sprays, coils, and loose powder of incense.

How does sandalwood repel mosquitoes?

The α-santalol and β-santalol which are active mosquito repelling compounds, blocks the mosquitoes’ sense of smell. This makes it extremely hard for mosquitoes to find humans and other potential hosts since they rely on detecting CO2 and other human body scents. This is what prevents the mosquito from effectively biting.

The incense sticks or coils when burned produces thick smoke which is more effective as it creates a barrier against mosquitoes. They find it difficult to penetrate and they leave the target site. Similarly applying lotion or cream on skin can form a protective layer that will keep mosquitoes away.

Different forms of Sandalwood mosquito repellents

1. Sandalwood Essential oil

This form of sandalwood is the most widely used one for mosquito repelling purposes. It can be used as spray by diluting with a carrier oil like coconut oil or can be used in diffusers to get a fine mist which easily spreads the aroma throughout the room. You can prepare your own mosquito repelling sprays by using the DIY recipes given below.

2. Sandalwood Mosquito sticks

Sandalwood sticks are available in form of small pieces, which is mainly burned in fire pits to release an aromatic smoke which is highly effective for outdoor protection. They are ideal for outdoor gatherings and garden meetings. It makes the environment more pleasing with the aromatic smell which is very calming and soothing. We get a mosquito free zone because of the smoke barrier that it creates on burning sandalwood incense sticks.

3. Sandalwood Mosquito coil

They works in a similar manner as burning incense sticks but these sandalwood mosquito coils are designed to lasts long specially for long sleep hours and to be able to use in bedrooms, without any excess smoke. They can also be used in outdoor locations around few people to cover a small area. Place these coils around the entry points to restrict their entry, and creating a mosquito free zone inside.

4. Sandalwood candles

Sandalwood candles also serves the purpose of being decorative, pleasing, along with being functional. They are suitable for indoor use, particularly in bedrooms and living rooms. It has a soothing scent which boosts the ambiance of the room.

5. Sandalwood powder

In powder form, it can be used to make pastes and applied on skin that can give personal protection against mosquitoes. Simply, this powder can be sprinkled at garden beds and lawns to give a pleasant smell around.

DIY Sandalwood mosquito repellent recipes

1. Sandalwood – Coconut Oil Lotion

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of sandalwood essential oil
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of beeswax (as per required thickness and consistency)

Preparation:

• Melt the coconut oil and beeswax, till it gets liquified completely
• Cool it down slightly
• Add the sandalwood essential oil and mix it well
• Transfer the mixture into a glass container or jar and let it solidify
• Use this lotion formulation which is meant for the exposed skin to protect it from mosquitoes and other similar pests.

This too, helps in nourishing and hydrating the skin making it smooth and flexible.

2. Sandalwood Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil
• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1 tablespoon of alcohol or witch hazel
• 1 empty spray bottle

Preparation:

• Take the alcohol and distilled water in the spray bottle
• Add the sandalwood essential oil to the above mixture
• Shake it well to thoroughly mix the contents

Use the spray in living rooms, bedrooms, behind curtains, below beds, to keep mosquitoes away.

3. Sandalwood-Citronella essential oil mixture

Ingredients:

• 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil
• 10 drops of citronella essential oil
• 1/4 cup of carrier oil (like Almond or jojoba oil)

Preparation:

• Mix both the essential oils, and the carrier oil in a small glass bottle
• Shake it well to mix it thoroughly
• Use this blend/mixture in a diffuser

Advantages of using Sandalwood as mosquito repellent

• Sandalwood is eco-friendly and chemical free as it has been made with natural resources. It serves as the best option for all mosquito repellent lotions. It has no side effects or harmful effects to the skin.
• The sandalwood odor is not offensive and helps in creating a relaxing atmosphere in the region.
• Sandalwood oil is applied to the skin where it enhances and comforts any part that is prone to irritation.
• It can be placed in the form of coils, powdered form, incense sticks, or a lotion to keep mosquitoes at bay.
• It works for a longer duration to provide overall exposure to help eliminate any mosquitoes.

Other uses of Sandalwood

The utilization of sandalwood can be traced back over 4000 years historic period for its beneficial uses and effects. Apart from the repellent of mosquitos, Sandalwood has other applications as given below:

• Skin Care
• Aromatherapy
• In spiritual and religious rituals
• Calming aroma for meditation
• Hair Care
• Perfumery
• Incense and Air fresheners
• Sandalwood wood carvings
• Traditional medicine

Conclusion

As we have witnessed, it is a versatile and soft to medium duty repellent. Because of the pleasant smell it provides, it is employed in a considerate manner to repel mosquitoes.

Sandalwood oil contains multi-functional properties since it serves not only as a therapeutic agent but can also be widely used in other industries for example, perfumery or skin and haircare in different cultures.