By improving blood circulation and recharging your energy levels, it can help you feel better faster and stop severity of feelings of dizziness, congestion and nausea. 1 small stick of Palo Santo wood; 2 cups of boiled water; Honey or a natural sweetener (as per taste) Directions. While many Indigenous folk do sell sage and other plant medicines, its important we know where we are buying from and who we are supporting. The pleasing, grounding aroma of palo santo triggers the brain's olfactory system, stimulating the relaxation response1 and preparing the mind for meditation or creative focus. It reconnects you to the earth and nature, the scents released (forest breathing) affect your mind in a positive way, giving you benefit beyond just the smudging or burning part of it. The palo santo tree belongs to the same botanical family (Burseraceae) as frankincenseand myrrh trees, which also produce beneficialantioxidant-rich oilsthat are used around the world. In the Global North, are other cultures expected to step aside and give space for white well-being, while giving up their own? Smudging sage was part of those banned religious practices. But before going out and grabbing a palo santo stick or essential oil, it's important to understand the history of this celebrated holy wood and how to use it in a respectful way. If you find yourself wanting to burn herbs, ask yourself first if there are alternatives that you can use that dont encroach on Indigenous rituals or that harm the earth. There was always a sage bundle in the middle of our coffee table ready to be lit when the energy felt off or someone with bad mojo left or one of us was feeling crunchy (our nickname for bitchy). Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify Palo Santo clears away negativity, smooths vibrations, and draws in positive feelings better than almost anything else. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Transparency is key here companies that are working on the ground, with the farmers and who are participating in true reciprocity are the only ones we should be supporting, if we must be using it at all. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. It may even be personally fulfilling to find out if and what your ancestors burned for cleansing. Its important to buy from smaller businesses versus brands like Anthropologie, Sephora, Urban Outfitters or Amazon that are selling it for the trend factor alone. Connecting with your lineage and your ancestry isnt just some woke way to side-step cultural appropriation, but it deeply aligns you with the medicine and healing power of the plants that your ancestors used and thrived on. The key is in supporting the businesses that recognize and respect both the traditional process and the local farmers and aren't just in it for the bottom line. Pseudo-spiritual use that isn't accompanied by respectful understanding of indigenous practices borders on cultural appropriation, so it's worth learning more about healing and spiritual ceremonies (such as smudging) for some context before diving in. The grounding aroma can help you prepare your mind and energy for meditation. But some brands and shops continue to sell white sage, despite Native communities speaking out against it. Though the ritual of smudging as well as the fragrance of Palo Santo are incredibly captivating and tempting, respect for both the tree and Indigenous folk go beyond the need for the consumption and ownership of what is sacred. Its protective phytochemicals seem capable of helping to stop disease formation within the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems. He typically smudges every corner of his office before circling the entryways and windows. Spirit of Palo Santo, clear away the bad things so that only good may come in. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Aside from its mental health applications, more recently studies have shown that it has promising benefits when it comes to raising immunity and fighting illnesses. This is a respectful and reciprocal way in which we can uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. Other beneficial compounds in smaller quantities include germacrene D, muurolene and pulegone. The highest quality oils form in the aged heartwood, which is used in sacred ceremonies and for healing by specific local cultures. Gaspar de Portol's 1769 expedition is said to have camped near El Palo Alto (referring to "the tall [redwood] tree," now a city landmark) on San Francisquito Creek. These compounds showed remarkableinhibitory activity against human cancer and brosarcoma cells. Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. Growing herbs is also super easy and can be done with limited space, in an apartment, and with limited resources. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! 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Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. It also is thought to neutralize issues before they ever start. The palo santotree is currentlyendangeredand is on a watch-list, according to the United Plant Savers Medicinal Plant Conservation. Some reports show that it might be hard to obtain real palo santo essential oil, so youll want to buy from a reputable brand and do your research first. Blessed be. The fruit from the palo santo tree emits an odor similar to fennel (anise) thats slightly sweet, which is one reason why people like to diffuse the smell throughout their homes or use it in natural cleansing products. Due to the demand, opportunists are prematurely cutting down these sacred trees, in order to quickly process the wood into sticks for selling. Palo Santo is a precious wood, so you may not wish to burn it. Just rubbing a few drops into the skin is believed to soothe the mind and ward off headaches and anxiety, too. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. The smoldering end will give off a white smoke for a few minutes, and you can prop it in an incense burner in advance of your practice. What is a Closed Practice? Because theyre related and have similar emotionally stabilizing benefits, you can use palo santo as a substitute for more-popular frankincense oil ormyrrh oil. FYI: The Bursera graveolens tree's branches have to naturally break off, the entire tree has to fall, or it has to die before the Palo Santo can be harvested from it. Indigenous Latin American cultures have used its wood in traditional healing and spiritual ceremonies for centuries. She works primarily with palos (sticks), herbs, and flowers. Or try rubbing some palo santo mixed withcoconut oilonto your temples and neck. Palo Alto, city, Santa Clara county, northern California, U.S. Although its well-tolerated, applying palo santo essential oil to a small patch of your skin to perform a test is a good idea before using it on larger or more sensitive parts of the body. Its exploitative and amounts to silencing Native voices and erasing our cultural heritage, Hopkins says. Sage has long been used as an herb in Mediterranean cuisine, used for medicinal purposes, or grown ornamentally. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. It is so powerful that it has been a part of sacred rituals in its native region for centuries. Dr. Adrienne Keene, assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, This article was originally published on July 19, 2019. In 2005, Peru had listed Palo Santo as endangered due to overharvesting. Palo Santo in Spanish is holy stick. If not, you're better off shopping elsewhere. We also really love Incausa this non-profit collaborates with artisans, villages and associations of eight different native ethnicities in the Amazon. Regardless of what you're cleansing, you'll want to have your windows or doorways open so the old energy has somewhere to go (and you don't stink up the house with smoke . Everyone has times when they could use a little extra good fortune. Breathe the sacred fragrance, and allow it to enhance your meditation. Ecuadorian Hands is another organization that not only sustainably sources Palo Santo, but they are also actively reforesting the province of Manabi in Ecuador. What are the benefits of palo santo? Similar toclary sageandcedarwood essential oils, palo santo has antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural cleansing agent. The practice of smudging, therefore, should not be taken lightly, according to Dr. Adrienne Keene, an assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation. are clickable links to these studies. Archived post. If someone is harvesting white sage and doesnt know how to properly do so, theyre preventing more plants from growing and thus endangering the plant species. This "Holy Wood" from South America has the power to purify living spaces, soothe frayed nerves, and delight the senses. You can also combine palo santo withlavender oil,bergamot oilor frankincense oil for additional relaxation benefits. This light allows good things to enter, but no negativity or evil intentions can pass through. Once you are equipped with some context and history, burning palo santo sticks or using palo santo essential oil is pretty straightforward. 2023, Sacred Wood Essence. If you're wondering how much Palo Santo exposure is too much, there's unfortunately no research out there about safety thresholds yet, says Dr. Goldsteinso he advises burning it with caution. Palo santo essential oil can be diffused for aromatherapy and may reduce tension, boost mood, and calm the nervous system. Is palo santo better than sage? What Is Palo SantoAnd What Does It Do Exactly. Smudging is distinctly Indigenous. As a great way to naturally lower pain from arthritis, injuries, chronic neck or back pain, and sore muscles, apply several drops with a carrier oil three times a day directly on the point of pain. Whether its conflict at work or a stressed-out partner bringing you down at home, Palo Santo is said to show agitated and harmful energy the door (literally), bring in positive healing energies, and allow you to approach things with an unburdened mind. Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level or add some to your shower or bath to beat a cold or flu. As Keene explains, overharvesting white sage in addition to the threat of increased wildfires and urban development endangers Indigenous peoples ability to access and use the wild plant in the ways they and their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. It primarily grows along the coast of South America, and can be found in Peru, Argentinia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands. This incense is used in aromatherapy because the wood smells so pleasant to the individual. Does the company work directly with the farmers to ensure the harvesting process is ethical and sustainable? Palo Santo is a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with mouthwatering hints of citrus. If this sounds a lot like smudging with sage, you wouldnt be too off base, Matluck explains. Our highest potential is cultivated by our innermost depths and our truest beliefs. Historically, and still today, its uses have included naturally preventing/treating allergies, colds and flu, bug bites, headaches, muscle pains and more. Support Indigenous-owned businesses, follow Indigenous accounts, and if you can, support these organizations that are doing incredible work to assist Indigenous communities: Some alternatives that can be used for space cleansing, bug repellent or for creating a calming atmosphere are listed below. As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted on your skin without a carrier oil, and keep them away from your eyes, inside your nose and mucus membranes, children and pets. This video sums it up really well. It has been used (through the practice of smudging) to clear energy for thousands of years within indigenous cultures. This ceremony is performed using medicinal herbs and plants, such as white sage, tobacco, sweetgrass, cedar, and Palo Santo, and it is (often) done by gathering these sticks and herbs into a bundle which is then lit. Quite simply, these rituals are not open for the taking. By listening to locals, honoring traditions, supporting communities, and giving credit and compensation at every turn, we can support a cultural exchange that truly is appreciation, not appropriation. Smudging is an easy and effective way to cleanse your home and yourself when done with love and care. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion until 1978 in the U.S., and many were jailed and killed just for keeping our ways alive, including my great-great grandfather, Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer, tells Bustle. First, a primer on the perks: In addition to the historic and spiritual perks of burning it, Palo Santo is also beloved in South America for its scent. But just because it's not on the watch list doesn't mean it isn't threatened. We understand how this can be a lucrative source of income for many small communities in South America, so ensuring youre actually supporting them, not the middlemen or distributors, is important. As with the Native American practice of smudging with sage, South American shamans believed burning Palo Santo had similar properties capable of resetting energy that was tainted by negativity or . This is the tree often used for spiritual purposes. Protecting and Empowering Empaths Across the Universe. Has the company physically traveled to the area in which the trees grow, and do they make regular visits? Its a group of trees with the species name. It's worth noting however, the research about the benefits (or risks) of exposure to smoke from Palo Santo is limited, says Adam O. Goldstein, MD, professor of family medicine and director of tobacco intervention programs at University of North Carolina. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. This way youll end up with Palo Santo that has the spiritual properties you want to bring into your life and honors the rich history and the region it comes from. Note: this post has been updated as of June 9, 2021. You might even smudge around your own body, says Matluck, if your goal is to clean up the energy around you after a particularly unpleasant run-in with an old friend. What herbs or plants are trying to get your attention right now? For starters, it's your answer to ~good~ vibes. Organic, 100 percent pure oils offer the most benefits and are the only kinds recommended for internal use to reduce inflammation. Palo santo is known to fight infections and viruses that can leave you with a cold or the flu. Though it is illegal in Peru and Ecuador to cut down Palo Santo trees, it is quite difficult to enforce this law. The wood has also long been used therapeutically to soothe cold and flu symptoms, depression, emotional pain, and other ailments. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. While clinical studies on the wood's medicinal effects are limited, it is rich in both antioxidants and limonene2, a terpene that has been extensively researched and has anti-inflammatory benefits3. It's said that the uplifting aroma of palo santo is conducive to meditation and relaxation and that it both enhances creativity and brings good fortune. Theyve already planted 4000 trees in 2019. Even though the oil can be obtained from fallen limbs or even dead trees, even this must permitted through the government in most countries, so therefore manufacturing is limited. The lengthy history of palo santo makes contemporary use tricky. Buying from small, indigenous-owned businesses over a huge corporation will help ensure you're getting true palo santo, instead of a synthetic substitute, while also directly supporting farmers and suppliers. In some countries, such as Ecuador, its against the law to remove or cut down these trees because theyre protected due to palo santo deforestation. Test the oil on your skin somewhere that is less sensitive, such as your forearm or foot, to make sure you dont have any allergic reaction or other side effects. Springtime is the ideal season for rituals to cleanse and uplift yourself, and set your intentions and goals for the rest of the year. Incausa has developed a sustainable retail and wholesale marketplace which provides opportunities to the native people of the Amazon basin, helping them to preserve an integral livelihood. Limonene, the main active ingredient in palo santo, is a . Where does palo santo grow? The wood has historically been utilized in spiritual ceremonies, as well as in aromatherapy, and is still burned in Catholic churches today. We like the brand Anima Mundi Herbals, as the founder, Adriana Ayales, is a rainforest herbalist who grew up in Costa Rica. Sage and palo santo are spiritual healing tools traditionally used to cleanse out negative energy, whereas incense is typically use to alter mood, and is used in sacred ceremonies, meditation and as an air freshener. Now a journalist who practices Palo and Santera, Montoya has traded in her playful childhood potions for direct, intentional mixtures. Palo Santo is used in South America in much the same way white sage is used in North America- to combat negative energy and to cleanse the space. But another South American tree species, bulnesia sarmientoi, is also known as palo santo, and that one is threatened. Once it's burned for 30 seconds, blow out the flame then place the stick in a heatproof container to allow it to continue its burn. You may also wear a Palo Santo bead necklace or bracelet to connect to the spirit of the wood and enjoy the fragrance without burning. Another factor at play is the ICUCN's ranking itself, which is based on global populations. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). The oil is even affected by the moon. Like smudging with sage, smudging with Palo Santo is all about covering the space in which you need a boost of purified energy and want to attract alllll the good stuff with intention. I have since learned that Palo Santo is also considered a closed practice in the Latino Community. Its hard to let go of something I grew up with, sure, but its harder to think that I am hurting a group of people. When you are through, allow the smoldering end to burn out. Located 35 miles (55 km) south of San Francisco and 14 miles (23 km) north of San Jose, it lies on the western shore of San Francisco Bay. Return to the room and pitch open the windows to its wholly purified and renewed space. Your FREE Astrology Sex, Love and Attraction Guide. To suddenly mark it as trendy and attempt to engage in the rituals that were once illegal for the very communities that created them, means Native culture is open for cherry picking, where cool aspects can be taken, while the history and atrocities these communities had no choice but to endure can be ignored. So when our religious practices are mocked through these products, or folks are commodifying and making money off our ceremonies, its not about who has the right to buy or sell. Before we dive into this deeper, what is Palo Santo and what is smudging? With practice and a willingness to see, you can use incense smoke or ashes to answer any question you can think of.
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