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Friday, October 23, 2015

Palo Santo, a healing wood

Bursera graveolens, also known as Palo Santo or Holy Wood, is a sacred tree that holds a fascinating place in history and now, perhaps even in modern medicine. For centuries, it has been used by shaman and ancestral medicine practitioners during prayer, ritual, divination, and healing. Not unlike its relatives Myrrh and Frankincense, Palo Santo is rich in brain oxygenating terpenes including a-terpineol and limonene, which explains the inspiriting, energizing effects that it's known for.

Palo Santo's history dates back to the ancient Incan Empire where it was used in the form of essential oil to soothe, relax, and promote spiritual purification. The shaman of Peru burn Palo Santo sticks in preparation for meditation as the aroma is said to clear misfortune, negative thoughts, and evil spirits. It is also burned by South American natives to shed bad energies around them and in their homes Bursera graveolens, also known as Palo Santo or Holy Wood, is a sacred tree that holds a fascinating place in history and now, perhaps even in modern medicine. For centuries, it has been used by shaman and ancestral medicine practitioners during prayer, ritual, divination, and healing. Not unlike its relatives Myrrh and Frankincense, Palo Santo is rich in brain oxygenating terpenes including a-terpineol and limonene, which explains the inspiriting, energizing effects that it's known for.

Palo Santo's history dates back to the ancient Incan Empire where it was used in the form of essential oil to soothe, relax, and promote spiritual purification. The shamans of Peru burn Palo Santo sticks in preparation for meditation as the aroma is said to clear misfortune, negative thoughts, and evil spirits. It is also burned by South American natives to shed bad energies around them and in their homes with the naturally therapeutic fumes.