Herbs and spices, like basil, cilantro, and turmeric, enhance dishes with flavor and aroma. They are crucial in global cuisines and offer health benefits. Commonly used in cooking and traditional medicine, they elevate meals and promote well-being.
Santalum album, or sandalwood, is a small tropical tree, and the traditional source of sandalwood oil. It is native to southern India and Southeast Asia. It is considered sacred in some religions like Hinduism, and some cultures place great significance on its fragrant and medicinal qualities.
However, the high value of the species has caused over-exploitation, to the point where the wild population is vulnerable to extinction. sandalwood still commands high prices for its essential oil owing to its high alpha santalol content, but due to lack of sizable trees it is no longer used for fine woodworking as before. The plant is long-lived, but harvest is only viable after many years.
