Palo santo oil, uses and benefits

Explore the uses and benefits of Palo Santo essential oil, from aromatherapy and stress relief to spiritual cleansing and natural insect repellent.

Palo Santo is known to cleanse the atmosphere of negative energies. Palo Santo is used to drive away evil spirits and elements that bring diseases. The healing and cleansing properties of Palo santo essential oil have been used since ancient times and are still relevant today.

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a tree native from South American countries, including Peru and Ecuador. Palo Santo is a Spanish word meaning “sacred wood” and is known as the “wood of saints.”

These trees grow in groups, the male is surrounded by several females. Palo Santo females are almost always the ones harvested because it is more abundant.

Palo Santo essential oil has a sweet, woody aroma that induces a sense of calm. It is packed with medicinal benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, to name a few. Its main active components are limonene, α-terpineol, menthofuran and carvone. Other compounds present are small amounts of germacrene D, muurolene, and pulegone. Limonene and α-terpineol are the key ingredients responsible for the aroma of the oil.

Harvesting holy wood oil differs from how oil is harvested from other plants. The oil is only extracted from dead Palo Santo trees. The oil comes from a dead Palo Santo. The death of the plant must be due to natural causes. It is left lying on the forest floor to decompose for a few years. This is to ensure that the tree resin has enough time to travel to the heartwood and be converted into quality oil. Allowing this process produces a more potent oil.

Uses & Benefits of Palo Santo Essential Oil

Palo Santo is famous in the different indigenous groups throughout South America. Aside from its healing properties, Palo Santo was also used for indigenous rituals in ancient times. The ancient Incas used Palo Santo oil in cleansing rituals and spiritual purifications.

Insect Repellant

The key component of Palo Santo essential oil that makes it effective at repelling insects is limonene. This also works against flies and termites.

Stress Reliever

The limonene component of Palo Santo essential oil not only acts against insects, but also relieves stress and anxiety. Although not considered a treatment, the calming aroma creates a feeling of relaxation, peace, and tranquility. People often light up a Palo Santo bar after waking up in the morning to get a fresh and positive mindset to start the day.

Pain Relief

The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of Palo Santo make it an excellent choice for people who suffer from arthritis and muscle and joint pain. It is also incorporated into massage oils that help relieve body aches.

It is recommended to dilute Palo Santo with carrier oils and do a skin test first if it is to be massaged or applied to the skin.