Palo Santo
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Bursera graveolens
BIOTANICAL FAMILY
Burseraceae
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
Ecuador
PLANT PART
Resinous wood
NOTE
Middle-base
EXTRACTION METHOD
Steam Distilled
AROMA
Sweet, smoky, woody, and spicy
GC/MS REPORT
Monoterpene: limonene (71%)
NOTES ON CHEMICAL COMPONENTS
Limonene's known therapeutic properties include: analgesic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, immunostimulant, and skin healing and penetration enhancer.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
Respiratory system - helps relieve asthma, colds, sinus infections, and flu; expectorant and mucolytic. Musculoskeletal system - helps relieve muscolar aches and joint pains, headaches, and migraines. Skin care - wound healing, skin infections, irritation, and inflammation.
EMOTIONAL/ENERGETIC QUALITIES
Antidepressant; assist in meditation and spirituality; helps relaxing, calming, balancing, quieting the mind, and anxiety relieving.
ADMINISTRATION METHOD
Bath, topical application (diluted), and inhalation
ETNOBOTANY LORE AND ANCIENT PARTICLES
Native of the Galapagos Islands, the small tree is actually endangered there. It grows in South America and it means "holy wood". In Ecuador, the tree is considered sacred and it is illegal to cut down trees without a special goevrnment permit. For indigenous peoples, it possesses magical qualities and the oil is a representation of the ancient spirits. In Peruvian traditional medicine, it was used to relieve pain and induce sweating. It was also burned in ritual ceremonies as inhaling the smoke would help purify the spirit, lift the mood, and clear negative energy. rain-tree.com; https://bodhitree.com/journal/6-benefits-of-palo-santo/
SAFETY
if oxidized, the oil can cause irritation and sensitization; maximum dermal application recommended is 3.4%
DISCLAIMER: The information provided above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult a licensed healthcare specialist for specific medical advice.