Palo Santo oil – a health-promoting extract with spiritual power

The oil extracted from the sacred Palo Santo balsam tree (Bursera graveolens) has been widely used for centuries due to its healing properties and spiritual power. Palo Santo oil has diuretic, anti-rheumatic, purifying, antiseptic and antifungal properties. At the same time, it helps combat stress-related ailments, whilst its enigmatic aroma brings peace of mind, purifying both body and mind. What does Palo Santo oil have to offer?

Palo Santo – what is it?

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a tree native to South America, belonging to theZygophyllaceae family – the same family asmyrrhandfrankincense. Palo Santo grows in abundance in the Gran Chaco region of South America, particularly in the northern parts of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. It can also be found on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Doctors and traditional shamans use Palo Santo during mystical ceremonies involving ayahuasca, as well as in cleansing and healing rituals. The uniqueness of Palo Santo oil stems not only from the sacred status of the plant itself, but also from its distinctive, resinous, spicy and slightly floral scent, which, thanks to its rich content of active ingredients, has a tangible effect on the human body.

Extracting Palo Santo oil – how is it done?

Palo Santo essential oil is obtained through the steam distillation of the dead parts of the tree. It is believed that, to produce oil of the highest quality and grade, only trees that have died naturally and have been left to dry out for at least 40 years should be used. Through steam distillation, the dried branches and wood of the Palo Santo tree are subjected to high temperatures, causing the oil to be released; this oil, in the form of water vapour, condenses on the walls of the still. After a short time, the oil begins to condense, eventually settling at the bottom of the vessel. The Palo Santo oil distilled in this way consists of 72 per cent sesquiterpenes, which are present in various essential oils. The remaining 28 per cent are so-called diterpenes, natural substances commonly found in plants all over the world.

Properties of Palo Santo oil – what does it help with?

Palo Santo oil is known primarily for its exceptional benefits in aromatherapy. However, the use of essential oils is not limited to physical well-being alone. The benefits can also extend to improving emotional well-being and cognitive function. Palo Santo oil contains around 112 chemical compounds with medicinal properties. Some of the main benefits of Palo Santo oil include:

• Boosts the immune system – Palo Santo essential oilhas been shownto support the healthy functioning of the immune system. Some of these benefits stem from the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduces inflammation –thanks toa combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Palo Santo effectively reduces inflammation, from headaches to muscle and joint pain
• Has anti-stress effects –many ofthe aromatic compounds found in Palo Santo essential oil directly affect the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating emotions and calming the body. Targeting this part of the brain can be beneficial in alleviating chronic stress
• It improves sleep quality –the oil is known for its calming properties. Applying a few drops of the oil, diluted with a carrier oil, to the chest, neck or temples before bed helps you fall asleep and ensures you wake up the next morning feeling nothing but positive;
• It acts as a deodoriser –althoughPalo Santo oil was historically used to ward off ‘evil spirits’, its properties also include the elimination of unpleasant odours. Its antiseptic and antifungal properties further kill bacteria, viruses and fungi that can cause illness
• It has pain-relieving properties –although these are not comparable to those of over-the-counter medicines, the oil serves effectively as a mild topical painkiller. It can provide relief from minor headaches, toothache, and muscle and joint pain, particularly those resulting from a cold, seasonal flu or inflammation.

How should Palo Santo oil be used?

By incorporating the oil into our daily routine of aromatherapy, meditation or personal care, we can enjoy the vast array of positive benefits offered by Palo Santo oil. However, how should the oil be used correctly to avoid harming the health of others and ourselves?

• Add a few drops of the oil to a cold compress and apply it to sore muscles
• Place a few drops (2 to 3) of the oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapours to alleviate respiratory symptoms
• Mix Palo Santo essential oil with massage oil and apply to sore muscles
• Use 5 to 10 drops of the oil in aromatherapy with a diffuser to relieve stress and relax the mind
• Palo Santo blends well with other essential oils. By combining lemonorpeppermintoilwithPalo Santo oil, you can invigorate the body and thereby improve concentration

Palo Santo oil and meditation – how to harness the tree’s potential?

Now that we know the benefits of using Palo Santo oil, we might wonder whether the oil’s holistic effects can be an effective addition to meditation? The answer is simple – absolutely. Palo Santo oil is an effective element of a meditation ritual for beginners. How does it work?

For the spiritual effects of Palo Santo to take effect, the oil’s aroma must be diffused throughout the room or flat. In particular, we should focus on the corners of the rooms, in order to transform negative energy into positive energy or to perform an energetic cleansing ritual. For the ritual, you can usea diffuseroranoilburner. You can also add the oil to a candle so that the aroma is released along with the purifying smoke, or apply a few drops of the oil to your skin.

Choosing Palo Santo oil – what to look out for?

When buying Palo Santo oil, it is essential to check the origin of the Palo Santo wood. The plant is a strictly protected species throughout South America; for this reason, only dead Palo Santo wood is used for distilling the oil.

If you decide to buy some, it is worth considering:

• Is the product of good quality?
• Is it sourced sustainably?
• Does the packaging show the correct Latin name (Bursera graveolens)?

Palo Santo oil – contraindications and precautions

Palo Santo oil is safe for topical use or in aromatherapy. However, internal use of the oil is strictly prohibited. Like any highly concentrated essential oil, the potent compounds contained in the bottle may potentially irritate sensitive skin. For this reason, it is important to remember to dilute it with carrier oils, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil or olive oil.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using Palo Santo oil. Furthermore, it is recommended that you keep Palo Santo oil out of the reach of children. When stored correctly in a cool, dry place, Palo Santo oil can remain suitable for use for three to four years.

• ‘Mono- and sesquiterpenoids of the volatile oil of Bursera graveolens’ – C. Yukawa, H. Iwabuchi, S. Komemushi, A. Sawabe, scientific journal *Flavour and Fragrance Journal*, John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
• ‘Chemical composition of three extracts of Bursera graveolens’ – C. Yukawa, H. Iwabuchi, S. Komemushi, A. Sawabe, Y. Imayoshi, *Flavour and Fragrance Journal*, John Wiley & Sons, 2006.
• ‘Essential Oil of Bursera graveolens (Kunth) Triana et Planch from Ecuador’ – G. D. Young, S. Chao, H. Casablanca, M-C. Bertrand, D. Minga, scientific journal *Journal of Essential Oil Research*, Allured Publishing Corp, 2007.
• ‘Terpenoids in Volatile Oil from Bursera graveolens’ – C. Yukawa, H. Iwabuchi, *Journal of Oleo Science*, Japan Science and Technology Information Aggregator, 2003.
• “Ethnobotany of Mountain Regions: Ethnobotany of the Andes || Bursera graveolens (Kunth.) Triana & Planch. Burseraceae” – N. Y. Paniagua-Zambrana, R. W. Bussmann, 2020.
• “Chemical Composition and Anti-Proliferative Properties of Bursera graveolens Essential Oil” – L. Monzote, G. M. Hill, A. Cuellar, R. Scull, W. N. Setzer, *Natural Product Communications*, 2012.