Bursera graveolens | Palo santo | Holy Wood | Aromatherapy | Heiliges Holz

Bursera graveolens is a tree that is praised for its aromatic wood.  This tree has powerful energy, yet when it is burned the results are one of relaxation, peace, and wellbeing. It brings a fragrant and pleasant smell to any space where it is burned.

Our Palo Santo is sustainably harvested from a private reserve in Ecuador. It comes from trees and branches that have naturally fallen and have been laying dead for 4-10 years before they are harvested. Only the naturally fallen trees produce the wonderfully woody scent. The longer the tree has been dead, the more potent the scent. Some Palo Santo trees can live to be 80-90+ years old.

One kilo of chunks contains 60 to 90 pieces. The size of the chunks differs because the wood is chopped, not sawn.

Also see our impressive Palo Santo oil.

Habitat

These trees are protected under government supervision; however, after strong winds, fallen trees are respectfully gathered, as the tree has been considered sacred by tribes for thousands of years. Bursera Graveolens is found growing in many areas including Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and the Galapagos Islands.

Native use

Throughout Central and South America Bursera graveolens is widely used among native indigenous tribes for ritual purification , and,  in modern religious settings as a devotional incense. It is used to spiritually cleanse impure energy and to get rid of evil spirits, calamity, and misfortune.

Palo Santo can be burned similar to incense by lighting shavings of the wood or the whole chunk can be lit, allowed to burn for a few moments and then blown out so that it will emit smoke. In Perú, a shaman or medicine man may light Palo Santo sticks during cleansing rituals and the rising smoke will enter the energy field of the participants to ‘clear misfortune, negative thought patterns, and evil spirits’.

Essential oil for use in perfumes and cosmetics can be produced from Palo Santo, which attracts a lot of attention due to its seductive scent. There are many health benefits reported by the indigenous that burn the wood. Palo Santo is often burned together with Ruta chalepensis, the smoke is then blown into the ears to treat otitis media (ear infections).

The wood can also be burned with Yerba mate together with the feathers of the rhea bird. The resulting mixture of smoke is inhaled every nine days and is said to heal ‘mal aire’.

Additional Information:

http://www.sacredpalosanto.com/benefits/