Sandalwood oil is distilled from the heartwood of the tree and is one of the most expensive oils here — genuine Indian sandalwood is scarce and heavily regulated. What you get for the price is an unusually gentle, long-lasting anti-inflammatory with real antiseptic and antifungal activity.
On feet its role is soothing rather than curative. Skin that is inflamed, itching, dry and irritated settles under sandalwood in a way that stronger oils, which tend to add their own irritation, cannot manage.
The other half of its reputation is psychological. Sandalwood is grounding and sedative, and for foot pain that interferes with sleep that is not a trivial benefit.
