PALO SANTO Oil | Bursera graveolens

Palo Santo Oil may be applied to the body, such as at the base of the skull or on the spine, to increase relaxation. Palo Santo Oil is used as a muscle relaxant and its great for troubled skin too.  Its rich in nutrients and also an effective skin cleansers that clears congested pores and keeps breakouts under control. For a crystal clear complexion, apply a few drops to the face after a shower or add a few drops to your bath. It works great as a beard and hair oil too.

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens), also known as ‘Holy Wood’ or ‘Wood of the Saints’, describes a group of trees that produce a powerful essential oil known for stimulating the immune system and fighting inflammation.

Over 40 different types of Palo Santo trees are grown worldwide, mostly throughout Central and South America. The species is native to the tropical dry forests of Ecuador, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula in Peru.

The Palo Santo tree belongs to the same botanical family as Frankincense and Myrrh trees, which also produce beneficial anti-oxidant rich oils that are used around the world. It’s primarily used as incense and essential oil. The wood has historically been utilised in spiritual ceremonies, as well as in aromatherapy and is still burned in some churches today.

The fragrant aroma of Palo Santo oil is described as subtle, sweet, woody, with top notes of Mint and Citrus. 

The use of Palo Santo from Bursera graveolens is traditional in South America, especially in Peru and Ecuador. According to the local customs, it is used against ‘mala energia’ which means ‘bad energy’. Its use reportedly dates back to the Inca era. Palo Santo is common today as smudge stick, which gives off a pleasant aroma.

Palo Santo Oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties.  Palo Santo may be burned, similar to incense, by lighting sticks of Palo Santo wood. In Peru, a Shamans and Medicine Men, reportedly lights Palo Santo sticks and the rising smoke will enter the ‘energy field’ of ritual participants to clear misfortune, negative thought prints and evil spirits.

There are 3 grades of Palo Santo which are related to their origin:

Grade A - Especial, meaning ‘Special’. This is the grade used to make our Palo Santo Oil. This ceremonial grade is the highest quality Palo Santo selected from coastal regions in northern Peru and southern Ecuador. The trees in these areas are the oldest and contains the highest amount of Limonene, which gives the scent a more intense Citrus aroma. 

Grade B - Amarillo, meaning ‘Yellow’. This regular grade Palo Santo is from Ecuador and is quite yellowish in color and looks like balsa wood. It has a balsamic scent with marine notes.

Grade C - Seleccion, meaning ‘Selection’. It is similar to the Especial grade in that it’s rich in Limonene but unfortunately, due to its hardness, it’s very difficult to burn. It is often sold in smaller pieces or chips to facilitate its ignition.

In Ecuador, there are reforestation programs underway for the Palo Santo tree. To reforest, the transplant method is used, which consists of determining an area of the forest that has overpopulation of the same species to extract the trees that are very close to each other and transfer them to an area of the forest where there are no trees so that they can continue their natural development and spread.

A chemical analysis of steam-distilled Palo Santo essential oil showed that the major active constituents include: Limonene (89.33%), α-Terpineol (11%), Menthofuran (6.6 %) and Carvone (2%). Other beneficial compounds in smaller quantities include Germacrene D, Muurolene and Pulegone.