Chandan or sandal is well known for its aroma and cooling effect on human body. Sandal powder is an important puja item. Sandal powder is used in worshiping deities especially for applying tilak on the forehead of sacred idols. After offering to deities, devotees can apply it between the eyebrows or on the forehead to cool the nervous system and to stimulate spiritual energy.
The sandal tree is highly regarded in the Vedic texts, and the heartwood is considered to be sacred. Sandalwood or chandan scents the whole of paradise with its fragrance. Sandalwood is considered the epitome of excellence, imparting fragrance even to the axe that cuts it. For this reason anything that is excellent is referred to as chandan. It is used in sacred ceremonies and to purify holy places. When used externally, sandalwood paste (made from mixing water with Sandalwood powder) has a calming, cooling effect on body and mind. It helps relieve fever and burns, and stops excessive sweating. In general, it relieves and helps balance the body after overexposure to the sun. The paste can help heal skin diseases such as infectious sores, ulcers, acne and rashes. Sandalwood powder helps smooth and cool the skin, and can be made into a paste, lotion or soap for cleansing, calming and hydrating sensitive or aging skin. Sandalwood acts as a disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant and sedative. Sandalwood balances the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and nervous systems.