What is it, and how can you use it today? To use it, light a stick, wait about thirty seconds, and blow out the flame. If you feel like you engage with Palo Santo in a truly authentic way, we encourage you to support those that are harvesting as sustainably as possible, and who are benefitting the local communities in their endeavours. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. 3. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Being so far removed here in the West, these bundles are still being snatched up faster than ever due to the trend, rather than the understanding of its importance. You can burn the wood or incense in a sick room -- in addition to clearing out negative energies produced by pain and illness, it is said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and relaxing properties. Limonene, the main active ingredient in palo santo, is a . Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. When you are through, allow the smoldering end to burn out. Incausa has developed a sustainable retail and wholesale marketplace which provides opportunities to the native people of the Amazon basin, helping them to preserve an integral livelihood. Please see our privacy policy to learn more! When not being used for its smell, Palo Santo oil has become a go-to for its anti-inflammatory and stress-relief properties (one note: these pluses are based on anecdotal evidence, and Dr. Goldstein says there's no data proving they're legit). Palo santo ( Bursera graveolens) is a tree that's native to Peru, Ecuador, and other South American countries. When shes not stuck to her laptop, Jessica loves hanging out with her husband and four active kids, drinking really great lattes, and lifting weights. Like smudging with sage, smudging with Palo Santo is all about covering the space in which you need a boost of purified energy and want to attract alllll the good stuff with intention. As an essential oil, it's great for aromatherapy and can also be used during therapeutic massages. 2023, Sacred Wood Essence. Pseudo-spiritual use that isn't accompanied by respectful understanding of indigenous practices borders on cultural appropriation, so it's worth learning more about healing and spiritual ceremonies (such as smudging) for some context before diving in. Not only is this devastating for the forests, it renders the sticks purposeless, as the sacred resin hasnt had time to form. Try to refrain from indulging in these practices if you are not an Indigenous person, and do not buy into this practice solely for the trend aspect of it, especially without educating yourself on the deep cultural and religious context first. This has been on our minds here at Sacred Wood Essence a lot lately. P264 -Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Over 40 different types of palo santo trees are grown worldwide, mostly throughout Central and South America. Im just worried now that my having them at all is cultural appropriation somehow?? Its scientific name is "Bursera Graveolens", and it's related to FrankIncense and Myrrh. The ritualistic burning (or smudging) of Palo Santo wood comes from the Incan belief that the smoke produced by Palo Santo has medicinal properties. The "closed practice" language is the emotive layer to make you stop asking questions, but it's not the actual issue; it's conservation. I am currently working on phasing out Palo Santo from the remaining 2 kits in my shop. You cant buy blessings from a rabbi, so apply that same logic here. Located 35 miles (55 km) south of San Francisco and 14 miles (23 km) north of San Jose, it lies on the western shore of San Francisco Bay. Palo santo may be burned, similar to incense, by lighting shavings of palo santo wood. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! Palo Santo in Spanish is holy stick. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion until 1978 in the U.S., and many were jailed and killed just for keeping our ways alive, including my great-great grandfather, Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer, tells Bustle. The alluring, heady scent of the resin is one of the major contributors to its rise in popularity in the West. Working with Indigenous communities, establishing a relationship and supporting their livelihood matters, however the majority of brands are either disconnected to the process or have no idea where or how they get their Palo Santo or sage.
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