Rich in colour and history; The Buddha Wood Story

01 July 2022

Eremophila mitchellii, known commonly as False Sandalwood, Buddhawood, Native Desert Rose and Desert Rosewood.

With a history as rich as it’s colour, Buddha wood is quickly gaining recognition worldwide as a subtle fixative and blender in perfumery. A deeply centering mediation aid and healing essential oil.

A small to medium tree, the native desert rose has flaky bark, elegant pale-green leaves and pretty, white, bell-shaped flowers. Found only in the more arid regions of North Eastern Australia, particularly northern New South Wales and outback Queensland.

The plant as a whole can be sticky to touch because of the rich resin present in the leaves and branches. Because of this, the thin leaves will emit a rich smell when crushed.

BOTANY HISTORY

The species was first formally described in 1848 by the botanist George Bentham with the description published in the book Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia, by Thomas Mitchell for whom the plant was named.

Around 1925 Australian chemists and essential oil pioneers first assessed the oil. Noting its unique properties and realising it’s potential as a perfume fixative.

INDIGENOUS HISTORY

One of many plants utilised by Aboriginal groups, Buddha Wood plants could often be found amongst the few possessions carried by nomadic groups in case of injury. As it was recognised for it’s strong antibacterial and analgesic properties

Interestingly, newborn babies were often washed with an infusion of crushed Buddha Wood leaves to help cleanse and strengthen them for their new life in the bush.

Desert rosewood also featured heavily in ceremony.

Particularly in coming of age ceremonies, reaching out to ancestors or to say goodbye to deceased loved ones.

PROCESS

Fast growing and hardy Buddha Wood trees are very plentiful and ideal for wild harvesting.
Essential oil is extracted by distilling the heartwood and bark for 7-10 days. The resulting essential oil is naturally deep amber to reddish brown in colour, with a scent that has been called rich, woody, smoky, resinous, and calming.

Primarily deep and rich, it is said to have a “lighter side,” which works well in perfumes without overpowering other notes.

It is also well known among perfumers as an excellent fixative and blender.

Qualities that have seen Buddha wood become a popular ingredient in men’s cologne.

Chemically related to Agar Wood. Its main components are three closely related sesquiterpene ketones – eremophilone, 2-hydroxyeremophilone, 2-hydroxy and 2-dihydroeremophilone. None of which had previously been discovered in nature.

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES

Buddha Wood Essential Oil has many natural therapeutic properties essential to health and wellbeing. As an anti-bacterial, Buddha Wood Essential Oil can be used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, and as an analgesic, can help to relieve body aches and pains.

As Buddha Wood blends so well with other oils, its natural properties can be easily built upon.

For example, a combination of Buddha Wood, Tea Tree, and Peppermint can be diffused to help relieve cold symptoms and congestion.

Rich in natural ketones, this oil should not be taken internally and handled with respect when undiluted.

AROMATHERAPY

Where Buddha Wood oil really shines is in its use in aromatherapy.

Known to be deeply calming, inspiring peace and mindfulness this oil gained the name Buddha Wood through its popularity as a meditation aid.

Helping practitioners to reach their inner sphere and find serene solitude.

Emotionally, Buddha Wood Oil does wonders for people plagued by insomnia, especially if diffused with a blend of Vetiver and Blood Orange. When inhaled for 15 – 30 minutes this calming and grounding essential oil can lead to clarity and peace of the mind, resulting in a lovely deep sleep.

Beyond rest and meditation, Buddha Wood oil can also be added to massage oils or in the bath to aid in healing and relaxation. It can also be spritzed around a room to help clear negative energies.

As a fragrance Buddha wood blends well with cedarwood, peru balsam, lavender, vetiver, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

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