Some studies have supported the idea that sandalwood has health perks. For example, research suggests that sandalwood may help:

increase alertness

manage anxiety

support wound healing

guard against skin cancer

fight bacteria

Alertness

A study reported in Planta MedicaTrusted Source found that aromatherapy with sandalwood oil increased participants’ pulse, blood pressure, and perspiration. These are markers of alertness.

Anxiety

Research reported in Complementary Therapies in Clinical PracticeTrusted Source suggests that aromatherapy massage with sandalwood oil may help reduce anxiety. The sample size was too small to draw conclusive findings, but the results were promising.

Wound healing

Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany found that skin cells contain olfactory receptors for sandalwood. When they activated those receptors, it appeared to promote skin cell growth.

Skin cancer

A study reported in the Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics suggests a compound found in sandalwood oil may help fight skin cancer. That compound is called α-santalol. Some studies have shown that this component can help promote cell death of cancerous cells.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Scientists in the Journal of Crano-Maxillofacial Surgery suggest that essential oils may provide some disease-fighting properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics. However, if you have a MRSA infection, it’s important to seek medical attention right away in order to receive timely treatment.