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Bursera graveolens, also known as Palo Santo or Holy Wood, is a sacred tree that holds a fascinating place in history and now, perhaps even in modern medicine. For centuries, it has been used by shaman and ancestral medicine practitioners during prayer, ritual, divination, and healing. Not unlike its relatives Myrrh and Frankincense, Palo Santo is rich in brain oxygenating terpenes including a-terpineol and limonene, which explains the inspiriting, energizing effects that it’s known for.

Palo Santo’s history dates back to the ancient Incan Empire where it was used in the form of essential oil to soothe, relax, and promote spiritual purification. The shaman of Peru burn Palo Santo sticks in preparation for meditation as the aroma is said to clear misfortune, negative thoughts, and evil spirits. It is also burned by South American natives to shed bad energies around them and in their homes with the naturally therapeutic fumes.

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In addition to its metaphysical capabilities, this mysterious plant also has been used traditionally in the treatment of a number of ailments including cold & flu symptoms, allergies, headaches, inflammation, stress, depression, and much more. Published in Natural Product Communications is a study that has found that the essential oil of b. graveolens as a promissory anti-proliferative substance, having proven effective in the inhibition of breast tumor growth. It has accumulated a bit of recognition as a potential chemotherapeutic agent and could hold a very prominent role in the future of cancer treatment.

Palo Santo is ethically harvested as only branches that have fallen naturally are used, regulated by the Peruvian government. The lives of the trees are never to be cut in due respect of the sacredness of the wood that they bear. The reputed therapeutic of properties of Palo Santo are brought about during a metamorphic curing process that requires 3-5 years after a branch has fallen. During this process, the once liquid sap of the tree crystallizes and forms deposits that give the Palo Santo its rich orange and gold appearance. Inside of the deposits is where the essence of the Palo is the deepest.

Holistically, the essential oil extracted from Palo Santo is categorized among the other “oils of enlightenment” such as Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Rosemary, Sandalwood, and Spikenard, all noted for their therapeutic and spiritually uplifting characteristics. Palo Santo wood and essential oil can be found online and at local herbal remedy retailers.

References

Monzote, L., GM Hill, A. Cuellar, R. Scull, and WN Setzer. Chemical Composition and Anti-proliferative Properties of Bursera Graveolens Essential Oil. National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

David Crow. Sacred Smoke: The Magic and Medicine of Palo Santo. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

“Palo Santo.” Third Eye Wood. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.