Palo Santo Essential Oil

Palo santo essential oil is steam distilled from the wood of palo santo (bursera graveolens) trees that have died naturally.

Bursera Graveolens Tree Photo: Haplochromis (Own work) GFDL

This tree, found primarily in South America, is a member of the same botanical family as frankincense. Just as frankincense is considered a spiritual essential oil, so is palo santo. The Incas reportedly used the oil to cleanse the air of negative energies.

Uses

You can diffuse palo santo for meditation or prayer. The oil also has a high limonene content that may help reduce inflamation.

The study "The Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Palo Santo Essential Oil" investigated using palo santo essential oil for antimicrobial and antioxidant purposes. The study found that the oil was active against several microbes at concentrations from 50-16.5 mg/disk, using the disk diffusion method, with activity comparable to the common antimicrobials tetracycline and nystatin. The study also suggested that the oil may work as an antioxidant.

Source: Abstracts of the 2009 MARCUS Conference, October 10, 2009, Sweet Briar College

Testimonials for the use of palo santo oil: pain and inflammation, tendinitis, and injured toe.

Generally, dilute palo santo 50/50 with a carrier oil for use on your skin.

More Information

Top recommended articles: How to Use Palo Santo Essential Oil and A Sacred and Spiritual Scent at The Aroma Blog (by aromatherapist Cristina Proano-Carrion)

Also useful: Palo Santo Essential Oil at Essential Oil World and Uses and Benefits of PaloSanto Essential Oils at Ecuadorian Hands.

In Ecuador, the source of Young Living palo santo essential oil, palo santo trees are protected, and the government must grant permission to anyone who wants to harvest the dead wood. (To order, please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)