Where does Palo Santo come from?
Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a plant native to Central America and the northern regions of South America. In Spanish, it translates to Sacred Tree, which has been used by shamans in ritual ceremonies, prayers, and healing for thousands of years. The tree contains many brain oxygenating substances such as limonene and terpinol.
Palo Santo dates back to ancient Incan times, gaining popularity for its role in Ayahuasca ceremonies. During these rituals, the Sacred Tree maintains pure and grounded energy. It has been an integral part of shamanic ceremonies for centuries.
The use of Palo Santo dates back thousands of years. Shamans and healers in Ecuador and Peru were among those who used it. Even now, traveling through the Andes, one can encounter healers or shamans utilizing the plant for various ceremonies and rituals.
How is the Sacred Tree harvested?
The harvesting of this tree is very popular in Peru and less so in Ecuador. The method respects its sacredness and allows for its continued cultivation. Palo Santo is protected, and cutting down live trees is prohibited. Fallen branches are left to dry for 3-5 years. During this time, various chemical reactions occur, leading to the crystallization of juices and the formation of deposits.
This process turns the plant’s grains orange and gold. This wood, in particular, possesses the most beneficial properties. Despite the prohibition on cutting live trees, there is a practice where growers with their own plantations illegally cut down live Sacred Trees.
What are the uses of Palo Santo?
Palo Santo has a wide range of uses. It clears the mind, increases the flow of bodily energy, and is helpful during meditation. Additionally, the wood is useful for cleansing: health, work, finances, cars, or places of employment. When burned, it not only releases a beautiful aroma but also removes negative energy, provides energetic protection, and uplifts the spirit. It is said that the Sacred Tree also brings luck. Furthermore, the Sacred Tree calms nerves. Shamans and healers would use it to fumigate places before the negative effects of evil spirits.
The wood is hard and durable, making it suitable for shipbuilding. Additionally, lovers of Yerba Mate may have encountered Palo Santo under the name “Sacred Tree”. It is possible to make a “mate” with Palo Santo, a special vessel used to prepare a brew from Paraguayan Holly leaves. Brewed in this way, Yerba Mate tastes much better than when prepared with a ceramic vessel. It’s worth noting that at high water temperatures, resin is released, completely changing the taste of the brew. There are many vessels available for brewing Yerba Mate.
Palo Santo is known for its numerous medicinal properties. It effectively fights viral and fungal infections. It’s worth knowing that essential oils combined with aromatic resin positively affect the body during the treatment of the flu, colds, migraines, motion sickness, or asthma. Additionally, it positively affects abdominal pain or joint pain. It is often added to peels (cleanses the body), therapeutic moisturizing and cleansing fluids (aromatherapy), and soaps. The sticks can also be used as amulets.
Palo Santo and scientific research
The oil extracted from the branches of the Bursera graveolens tree has scientifically confirmed antimicrobial properties. The Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research published research results confirming that Palo Santo has antibacterial properties (from moderate to high). It helps fight the following bacteria: Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli. The research results show that the essential oil from the branches of the Bursera graveolens tree has antibacterial properties.
The Sacred Tree is a source of antioxidants and phytochemicals, also known as terpenes, including α-terpineol and limonene. Cuban scientists conducted a study showing that the components of the Sacred Tree’s essential oil may slow the development of MCF-7 breast cancer.
What to consider when purchasing Palo Santo?
When deciding to purchase Sacred Tree, it is essential to pay attention primarily to its ethical origin. The plant is becoming increasingly popular. It has a unique scent and exceptional properties. When making a purchase, it is very important to know the origin of Palo Santo. Many Sacred Tree sticks are available on the market, which may be of lower quality. Many people opt for the cheapest offer online, which means their product is of unknown origin. Additionally, the incense is often artificially flavored.
A company offering high-quality and genuine Sacred Tree will readily provide information about it
on the website of their store. When purchasing, it is also essential to pay attention to the price of the product. The cost of a stick starts at 10 PLN. However, choosing the cheapest one will not be a good decision. It is also worth checking the country of origin of the product – it is best if it is Ecuador or Peru. High-quality sticks are collected from naturally fallen trees. The exact name of the species of this plant is Bursera graveolens.
Our store offers authentic Palo Santo.
How to use incense sticks
Sacred Tree sticks can be used in many ways. The aroma of this plant can replace artificial air fresheners in the home. Simply place the sticks in a sachet, and the scent of the Sacred Tree will spread throughout the house, bringing positive energy.
Another way to use Palo Santo is to cleanse and fumigate spaces. To do this, simply light the end of the stick for 30 seconds, holding it at a 45-degree angle, and then blow on it. The smoke’s scent will spread around. The fragrance will fumigate us, our loved ones, and the room we are currently in. The advantage of incense is that it can be used multiple times without burning the entire stick at once. As a curiosity, burning the stick not only has energetic properties but also effectively repels insects, such as mosquitoes.
Palo Santo is also one of the ingredients in naturally occurring fragrance blends. The essential oils found in them are very helpful in cosmetology and natural medicine. In Ecuador and Peru, shavings of the Sacred Tree are added to tinctures and teas that support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and aid digestion.
The Sacred Tree can be found in various forms. The most popular form of sale is sticks, which are the most convenient to use. Also available on the market are oils, sawdust, and cones. The scent emanating from Palo Santo is a combination of floral-resinous aroma, citrus, and mint.
Is the Sacred Tree endangered?
There is much controversy surrounding Palo Santo. Some believe it is an endangered species. But what is the truth? The name “Palo Santo” is used to describe several different and unrelated botanical species. There are several unique species sold as “Palo Santo” worldwide. For this reason, both scientists and ecologists use scientific classification for this species when conducting various scientific studies. According to the IUCN Red List and CITES, Bursera graveolens is not critically endangered. There are many stable plantations of these trees in Central and South America.
Palo Santo from Peru or Ecuador
In Peru, Bursera graveolens remains a regulated plant by state agricultural agencies due to its sensitivity as a forest product. Unfortunately, despite numerous controls, unethical harvesting occurs. As mentioned earlier, growers illegally cut down live trees for their own benefit. This practice applies not only to the Sacred Tree but also to other forest resources. Agencies regulating the Environment are being established to combat such initiatives. These agencies control the management and legal regulation of natural food and forest products.
Growers must follow appropriate guidelines during cultivation and, most importantly, when cutting Palo Santo. They must have official permits for collecting, processing, and distributing forest resources. Such permission is usually granted to native inhabitants of Peru.
This country declared Palo Santo a threatened species in 2006. The tree was listed as a strictly protected species because it was harvested for non-commercial purposes. Large quantities of trees were cut down in the northern forests of Peru. To address this issue, the government established SERFOR. Any organization that harvests forest resources, including the Sacred Tree, must work directly with the aforementioned agency, which approves its legality and ethical origin.
People who choose to purchase sticks that come from legal sources and are ethically produced support local communities. They can contribute to the protection of this plant by buying sticks harvested sustainably.
Legend of the Sacred Tree
The legend of the Sacred Tree tells a love story. Events date back to the time when the world was just beginning to exist. There were few people on Earth. One day, the handsome and virtuous Cosakait fell in love with a girl. Unfortunately, his beloved did not reciprocate Cosakait’s feelings. Despite numerous attempts to win her affection, Cosakait failed to make the girl fall in love with him. Cosakait suffered greatly from his unrequited love.
One day, Cosakait fell fatally ill. On his deathbed, the young man wished to remain with his beloved forever. He wanted to adorn her hair with beautiful flowers, perfume the water she washed her face with, and repel insects. God decided to fulfill his last wish. Cosakait’s body was buried by the river.
One day, his beloved walked near his burial place. She decided to stop exactly where his body lay, after which she put her hands into the ground. She felt a cold touch. The spirit of her suitor began to materialize in the form of a bud, which initiated the existence of an extraordinary tree, full of many buds. She adorned her hair with one of them. The flower’s scent henceforth repelled insects, the water smelled beautiful, and a beautiful scent emanated around the girl. Thanks to this, Cosakait was always with his beloved. Palo Santo became a symbol of true, boundless love. A love willing to make the greatest sacrifices. Love that conquered death.
Where to buy Authentic Palo Santo?
You can buy Authentic Palo Santo at LasSzamana.pl.
We hope that the above article has provided you with the necessary knowledge about Palo Santo – the Sacred Tree. Our goal was to provide the most important information related to this plant. When deciding
to purchase Palo Santo, remember to check its origin.
