Uses and Benefits of Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens Essential Oil
Currently, the Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens tree has become one of the most popular aromatic trees worldwide due to the many healing properties, it possesses. It belongs to the family of Burseraceae, a native of the tropical dry forest of the Pacific coast of South America. Usually, it is found mostly in Ecuador, from the warm coasts to the height of the mountains and the Andes.
This resinous wood can be used for various healing purposes.Many years ago the shamans of the first Ecuadorian cultures used the smoke of the Palo Santo and its essential oil to cure the soul and body of the sick.
The essential oil of palo santo has a pleasant aroma of woody citrus, It is widely used for its antidepressant, diaphoretic, diuretic, depurative, antirheumatic, sedative, anticancer properties, counteracts stress and sadness, is antiseptic and counteracts skin fungus.
Why use Palo Santo?
The Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens) is famous for cleaning and purifying the environment of our home, ward off evil spirits, induces meditation and spiritual pursuit.
Its essential oil has a spectacular woody citrus aroma, famous for being a natural relaxant, It also transmits powerful positive energy and calm.
It contains high levels of Limonene (DL) a medicinal terpene known to be a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic agent.
Flu, allergies, asthma, migraine and bad mood: Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level, nose, sides of the head (temple) and the neck.
Dizziness: Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level.
Panic, stress and laboral anxiety: Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level, nose and the neck.
Massages: Palo Santo essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, performing a massage will reactivate blood circulation and recharge the energy level.
Arthritis, osteoarthritis, cervical pain and muscle aches: Only when there is pain, put 3 drops a day directly at the point of pain, rubbing until the oil is absorbed. Protect the affected part with a red blanket, because this color increases the body's energy flow.
How is Palo Santo essential oil made?
Steam distillation is used for the production of Palo Santo essential oil. Each plant has its distinct perfume. The perfume and aromatic essences are the "soul" of the plant. The Essential Oil of Palo Santo comes from the extraction of the tree's oily glands.
Using a specific distiller for essential oils; the dried wood is passed through a steam stream so the oily glands open up, allowing in this way that its content mixes with the steam; the same that enters through a cooling system which leads to the condensation of essential oil and the water to then separate naturally.
This type of distillation does not use any kind of chemical solvents, that is, the essential oil of Palo Santo is 100% natural. Distilling the dry wood of the Palo Santo with the method through the steam current, you get to get an essential oil of the yellow-gold color, that emanates an intense citrus smell; with the following active ingredients:
Limonene 89.33%
a-Terpineol 10.9%
Menthofuran 6.6%
Carvone 2.0%
Germacrene D 1.7%
y-Muurolene 1.2%
trans-Carveol 1.1%
It is important to take into account the safety and precautions of Palo Santo oil when using it.
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If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid ingesting the essential oil of Palo Santo.
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Keep Palo Santo essential oil out of reach of children.
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The essential oil of Palo Santo is safe for topical applications (dilute it in a carrier oil) and aromatic.
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Store in a cool, dry place in a glass container.
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The essential oil of Palo Santo has a shelf life of approximately 9 Years after production date
To obtain the essential oils through steam distillation, the tree must die on its own. Palo Santo tree has a life cycle of approximately 30 years, once this dies must stand 2 to 4 years in their natural environment, to get all the benefits that this sacred wood possesses.
But due to the popularity that the Palo Santo tree has gained, Some sites are not respecting the life cycle of this tree and therefore offer products that have no benefit or utility. It is very important to know that a cut Palo Santo tree has no value, since it does not contain its medicinal properties, nor does it smell.
I recommend that when purchasing Palo Santo or any product derived from this sacred tree, make sure you get them from reliable sites, that work responsibly and sustainably, that carry reforestation projects and respect for the environment and its natural resources. This is the only way to enjoy the long-term medicinal properties found in this sacred tree, Bursera Graveolens.
