Palo Santo, translated to holy wood or sacred tree, has been used for thousands of years and is revered throughout South America. As a high-quality essential oil, the sacred essence is unearthed to help us ground and be more present to the moment.
I was first introduced to Palo Santo in its wooden form. A cured slice of a trunk was innocently given to me as a gift from a friend and I treasure it to this day. However, I came to learn that there are many unsustainable farming practices happening as the sacred wood’s popularity has increased for its space clearing abilities as people begin to look for alternatives on their spiritual journey of self-discovery.
Logging Palo Santo will never be sustainable as long as our rainforests keep burning.
The tree sheds like most living things. Branches become heavy or weak and they fall. The wound where the branch was begins the process of ‘bleeding’ out the oil to heal itself. The branch lays on the floor of the forest and begins to generate more oil over time. This concentrated lifeblood of the tree is its essential oil.
Traditionally, those who spoke to the heavens and administered the medicines pray over the shedding branch over many days and sometimes months listening for the permission of the plant entity to give itself. This reverence lasts the entire life of this cultivated medicinal oil.
More often than not, it is the reverence for self and others, plant included, that is healing.
Is Palo Santo in danger of being over-harvested?
According to an article published in the NY Times last winter, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the first time released a review of Palo Santo’s (bursera graveolens) conservation status and declared it “of least concern.”
Though palo santo isn’t endangered, its habitat, tropical dry forest is threatened. “Dry tropical forest have been decimated. Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world,” said Susan Leopold, Ph.D., and the executive director of United Plant Savers, a conservation organization.
Do I need to burn something to be spiritual?
Not at all, in fact, one of the most sacred ways of working with Palo Santo is working with the frequency. It ranges high around 120Mhz and conjuring in ints sacred balancing properties can benefit your general energy and feelings of wellness.
My personal journey with Palo Santo Essential oil.
As an affiliate with the most integral essential oil company I have found, I was first introduced to Palo Santo essential oil in 2006. I used it in my diffuser and on the brain stem. I do not recommend inhaling it for longer than 20 minutes. Take it in small doses to balance the emotional and spiritual space. It cleanses the mental palate.
I used palo santo essential oil to make a massage blend for my father who used to referee soccer matches back then. With an almond oil base, I added 10 drops to a 4 oz bottle. Included 6 drops of cypress oil and 3 of marjoram and it served as a great relief to achy bones and muscles.
When I am working with a client who goes through mental emotional swings of intense highs and lows, I suggest using a couple drops on the back of the brain stem as needed.
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