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 essential oil extracted from sandalwood are mainly used in skincare applications. The oil is used as a key ingredient in many ayurvedic medicines and treatments, due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.

What makes Sandalwood an effective mosquito repellent

The chemical composition of sandalwood oil has good proportion of α-santalol and β-santalol, which is an active insect repelling compound. It also contains santalenes and teresantol which contributes to its overall repelling property. It’s unique chemical composition and aromatic fragrance makes it an effective mosquito repellent.

It has soothing warm fragrance, which is quiet pleasant for the environment. It acts as a natural mosquito repellent without any harsh chemicals. It is also gentle on the skin and can be used safely.

Sandalwood has somewhat long lasting aroma, which does not subsides soon. It’s effect lasts long for many hours, as compared to others which dispersed off quickly. It can be used in many forms like candles, coils, essential oil sprays, incense sticks, powder, etc.

How does sandalwood repel mosquitoes?

The α-santalol and β-santalol which are active mosquito repelling compounds, disrupts the olfactory senses of mosquitoes which causes disorientation in them. Thus making it difficult for them to locate the potential hosts by smelling the carbon dioxide and other smell of humans. This disorientation prevents the mosquito from 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 perfect for indoors, in bedrooms and living rooms. It enhances the ambience of the room with its relaxing and calming fragrance.

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 to keep mosquitoes away by applying on exposed skin

This also, nourishes and moisturizes the skin making it soft and supple.

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 natural and non-toxic as it is prepared with natural ingredients. It is the best alternative for chemical based mosquito repellents and it’s not harmful to skin.
• The sandalwood fragrance is pleasant and creates a calming and soothing ambience in the surrounding environment.
• Sandalwood is beneficial for skin and it nourishes and soothes any sensitive skin.
• It can be used in multiple ways to keep mosquitoes away, either in form of coils, incense sticks, powders, or lotion.
• It has a long lasting effect and gives a persistent protection from mosquitoes.

Other uses of Sandalwood

Sandalwood being known for more than 4000 years and being used for its aromatic and medicinal properties in Ayurveda. There are many other uses apart from sandalwood as mosquito repellent, 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 seen, it is a versatile and multi purpose with many benefits apart from keeping pests and insects away. It is used in a pleasant way to keep mosquitoes away with soothing and calming fragrance.

It has also got medicinal and therapeutic properties and thus finds multiple applications in skincare and medicinal applications. Sandalwood is multi functional and can be used in different cultures and industries like medicine, perfumery, skin and haircare, aromatherapy, etc.