As of April 2015, all sandalwood beads will come directly from the holy city of Vrindavan, India, and are made by some of the 20,000 widows who find refuge there. The creation of these sandalwood beads offers them a viable livelihood at a time when they might otherwise be destitute, left to beg on the streets and at temples. Sandalwood oil has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for many ailments as well as for calming anxiety.