A new study now finds that millions of men who are going bald may benefit from rubbing sandalwood oil onto their scalps.
Laboratory tests of scalp tissue by German researchers found it stimulates hair growth after just six days. It turns out that hair follicles are thought to contain 'smell receptors' that respond to the aromatic odour and trigger the main protein in hair to multiply.
While humans and animals are only able to smell through their noses, receptors in hair, sperm and even our guts are able to recognise chemicals in certain aromas.
The findings from the study could lead to a sandalwood-based balding treatment that may benefit the quarter of men who start to lose their hair by the time they turn 25.
Studies have already shown that exposing human skin cells to sandalwood in the lab causes the protein keratin to multiply, which speeds up wound healing.
The researchers from the Moasterium laboratory, Munster exposed human scalp tissue to artificial sandalwood-like odour Sandalore.
Sandalore is often added to fragrances and moisturisers to give a sandalwood aroma, and has previously been used in previous experiments investigating its effect on keratin.
Six days after the tissue was exposed to Sandalore, its keratin levels began to increase.
This is thought to be due to the oil blocking the genes that cause keratin cells to 'commit suicide' in a process known as apoptosis.
Results, published in the journal Nature Communications, also suggests the aromatic oil stimulates the release of 'growth factors'.
These can include vitamins or hormones that are necessary for cells to multiply and thrive.
Sandalore is thought to promote hair growth by acting on the smell receptor OR2AT4, which is present in hair follicles.
Furthermore, when the scalp tissue was exposed to both Sandalore and the rose-like odour Phenirat, hair growth stopped. Phenirat is a known OR2AT4 blocker.
