Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens)
Palo Santo is a tree with many benefits that grows in the Dry Tropical Forests of South America, primarily Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to the same plant family that gives us frankincense, myrrh, and copal.
Palo Santo incense smoke and essential oils yield sweet notes of pine, mint, and lemon. The people of the source region have long revered Palo Santo for its many benefits and healing properties.
Palo Santo features in aspects of ritual and daily life.
Daily Benefits of Palo Santo
- Palo Santo smoke drives away mosquitoes and other flying insects. This is one of the prime uses for the people who live in Ecuador and Peru.
- Palo Santo also freshens the air in living spaces.
- Burning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies.
- You can also spray Palo Santo spritzer on furniture and fabrics with similar effects.
Ceremonial Benefits of Palo Santo
Aromatherapy uses botanicals to foster a sense of safety and protection. A powerful aroma such as Palo Santo can focus our attention, unify our senses, and quiet the mind. This is the reason it has been popular among shamans (aka curanderos) leading ayahuasca ceremonies.
Palo Santo’s heavenly presence keeps energies grounded and clear, providing an uplifting scent that raises your vibration. This helps prepare for meditation and allows for a deeper connection to Source. Palo Santo also enhances creativity. It brings good fortune to those who are open to its magic.
Healing Benefits of Palo Santo
Palo Santo has many traditional uses. Among them are for:
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Stress
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Inflammation
- Emotional pain
- Palo Santo essential oil is great for aromatherapy. In diluted form, it is also excellent for massage work.
Palo Santo contains an aromatic substance called limonene. Limonene is a well-known terpene found in many medicinal plants, including cannabis. Scientists have studied limonene for its anti-inflammatory and mood-calming properties.
We provide pure Palo Santo essential oil for blending into home-made remedies. We also carry diluted Palo Santo anointing oil ideal for use on the skin.
Sustainability
Sacred Wood Essence Palo Santo is single-sourced from a forest preserve in Ecuador. The best part of this magical tree is that it is sustainably harvested.
Our partners in Ecuador have planted over 30,000 trees back into the area over the last 10 years.
When a Palo Santo tree falls over, its journey has only begun. As the rains recede a few months later, the green Palo Santo wood begins to cure through the long dry season.
Skilled foresters tag the downed tree, taking note of its age and location. Oftentimes, they plant a Palo Santo sapling beside its fallen elder. This ensures plenty for years to come.
One season is not enough. Before harvest, he tree must rest on the forest floor for at least four, and as many as ten years. Only then is the wood cut into manageable pieces and hauled by hand or on horseback to nearby villages.
Read about great example of palo santo conservation here.
Palo Santo Sticks
Palo Santo Anointing Oil
Palo Santo Heavenly Spritzer
Ah-Scent-Shen Collection
Palo Santo Powdered Incense
Palo Santo Pure Essential Oil
Sage Spray
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