Palo SantoEssential Oil

Scientific Name: Bursera Graveolens

Origin: Peru

Plant Part: Wood

Scent: Woody, Sweet, and Slightly Fruity

Color: Clear - Pale Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Middle - Base

Initial Aroma Strength: Medium

Extraction Method: Steam Distilled

Palo Santo Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends 

Popular with yoga and meditation enthusiasts around the world, VINEVIDA’s palo santo essential oil comes straight from its native Peru. Strong and sweet, this woodsy fragrance is available in both individual and bulk. Keep reading to find out how you can use palo santo oil in aromatherapy to help reduce symptoms of stress and depression.

The Palo Santo tree, or “Bursera Graveolens”, grows from the Yucatan Peninsula all the way down to Peru and Venezuela. In Spanish, the name translates to “holy wood”. The Bursera Graveolens is in the same family as frankincense and myrrh, though palo santo oil comes from wood, not resin. In the country of Peru, the Palo Santo tree has long been used by shamans for spiritual purification. 

Palo Santo Essential Oil Benefits: Component Breakdown

• Limonene: A versatile component of many essential oils—particularly those in the citrus family—limonene is a natural pesticide. You will also find it in the Code of Federal Regulations. It is classified as “GRAS”, which means “generally recognized as safe” and makes sense as limonene is a common flavoring additive. It is also used to treat heartburn, as well as showing effect as a chemopreventive agent. Limonene plays a huge role in overall palo santo essential oil benefits.
• Menthofuran: A natural monoterpenoid that acts as a plant metabolite.
• a-Terpineol: Terpineols occur naturally, and often boast a wide range of biological properties. a-Terpineol is colorless and smells strongly of lilac, which is why it is so popular in the cosmetic industry. It is a common additive to soaps, perfumes, and other beauty supplies and it makes sure of all the skin-related palo santo essential oil benefits. On the biological side, it exhibits antihypertensive, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Carvone: A naturally occurring terpenoid, commonly used in the food and flavoring industries. It is also considered a botanical antifungal agent.
• Germacrene-D: Germacrene-D is generally produced by a plant for its insecticidal and antimicrobial properties. This is because as a sesquiterpene, its role is to help protect the plant.
  

Palo Santo Essential Oil Uses: For Wholesale Purposes

Aromatherapy

The American Institute of Stress states that 77% of people in the USA regularly experience physical symptoms of stress. This is a huge number, and it goes a long way to explaining why aromatherapy is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world. Symptoms of stress include headaches, depression, heartburn, high blood pressure, and many more. If a person undergoes chronic stress for long periods, they are also at a much higher risk of suffering from illness and disease.

Preliminary human studies indicate that aromatherapy can potentially reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition, control groups who underwent aromatherapy found they slept better, and for longer. 

Many people claim that palo santo oil is very effective in aromatherapy. Shamans in South America use it in spiritual purification ceremonies, and many yoga studios and meditation retreats use palo santo incense or oils to promote relaxation. The best way to achieve inhalation aromatherapy with palo santo oil is through a diffuser, or by sniffing from the bottle directly. The palo santo essential oil uses are endless and with aromatherapy, the oil just works magic. 

Insect Repellent

Anecdotal evidence indicates there may be some insecticidal benefits to palo santo oil. This likely comes from its high levels of limonene (which is a natural pesticide), as well as the presence of carvone.

Soap Making

Among tons of palo santo essential oil uses, soapmaking is noteworthy. Palo santo oil can offer a woodsy aroma to your soaps. It is a very grounding scent, popular with yoga and meditation retreats. It is widely thought to be able to ward off negative energy, helping to both cleanse and soothe the mind. Palo santo also contains carvone, which is an antifungal agent.

What Blends Well with Palo Santo Essential Oil?

Palo santo essential oil blends well with other earthy oils such as Frankincense, Myrrh, and Cedarwood. For a fresh, floral approach, try combining palo santo with Jasmine and Grapefruit Oil.

Precautions

Never ingest palo santo oil, or apply it directly to the skin without diluting it with a carrier oil. At VINEVIDA we also advise doing a patch test first. This involves placing a small amount of diluted oil onto a bandaid. Then, place it on the skin for 24 hours to see if there is any noticeable reaction. As always, keep palo santo oil away from pets and small children. If you are pregnant or have any underlying conditions it is best to speak with a medical professional before considering adjunct therapy. 

Flash Point

85° C

Conclusion

Palo santo oil comes from trees that grow in the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is very common in many spiritual rituals, as it is believed to have the ability to purify, cleanse, and soothe the mind. Its woodsy aroma is strong, and sweet, and blends well with many other oils. 

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