Palo Santo (Burseara Graveolens) literally means “Holy Wood.” When it is burned, the sacred smoke provides energetic protection, removes bad energy, uplifts the spirit and brings good luck. Traditionally used by the Incas and indigenous people of the Andes, it is a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing, and it also gets rid of evil spirits and misfortune.
Palo Santo has been used for thousands of years in Peru and Ecuador by shamans, curanderos and healers in ceremonies and healing rituals. It is even good as a mosquito repellant and traditional headache remedy. The Palo Santo tree in both countries is protected by the national government and can only be harvested under strict conditions. Each stick is approximately 3 1/2" long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
To Use: light one end, and allow to burn for about 1/2 minute then blow the flame out. The smoldering end produces the smoke, which is wafted with a hand or feather or fan to bless a space or a person. When done, smother the smoking end in sand or water to completely stop the burn. The Palo Santo stick may be relit many times.
A close relative of frankincense, the scent of Palo Santo is similar to that middle-eastern resin, with an overnote of citrus.
- To Use: light one end, and allow to burn for about 1/2 minute then blow the flame out. The smoldering end produces the smoke, which is wafted with a hand or feather or fan to bless a space or a person. When done, smother the smoking end in sand or water to completely stop the burn. The Palo Santo stick may be relit many times.
Increasingly the healing properties of Palo Santo are finding its way into the rest of the world as one of the truly great resins of Mother Earth. It has capacities in both physical and metaphysical realms. Palo Santo has even caught the attention of western scientific researchers for it chemical properties which include limonene and monterpenes that are being studied for their anti cancer effects. It’s truly amazing that this “Holy Wood” can at once, through its healing scent and sacred smoke, provide energetic protection, remove bad energy, uplift the spirit and bring good luck as well as repel mosquitoes and treat a headache
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