Palo Santo
Latin name: Bursera graveolens
Aroma Description: A medium, woody aroma with a hint of citrus and licorice
Therapeutic benefits
- Excellent for meditation, it can help banish negative thoughts and be very grounding.
- Promotes a calming atmosphere and helps alleviate worry.
- Eases muscle and joint discomfort.
- Helps promote a healthy respiratory system while stimulating the immune system.
Kidsafe?
No! Palo Santo is NOT KidSafe.
Dilution instructions:
Dilute to a maximum of 3% for topical application.
Diffusion instructions:
Add 2 drops with 2 drops of Lavender, and 1 drop of Mandarin to help ease worry and promote relaxation.
Oils to blend with:
Amyris, Bergamot, Blood Orange, Clove Bud, Cardamom, Atlas Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Sweet Orange, and Vanilla Oleoresin.
Additional reading
- The Root Chakra: Grounded Foundation
- Plant Therapy’s Top Uses for Palo Santo
- Top 3 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Meditation
- Oil of the Month Reveal
Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, originates in South America in the tropical dry forests of Ecuador, Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula in Peru. The oil itself is collected from only old dead wood that has died a natural death. It has a rich history that is traceable back to the time of the Incan Empire.
Meditation
One of the most widely-known benefits of this oil is meditation. It believed to help banish negativity and promote a calm and peaceful atmosphere. This makes it a favorite for many who regularly practice meditation and yoga! Next time you stop to meditate and center yourself, don’t forget to use Palo Santo to help make it a positive, grounding experience.
Breathing
In addition to being a grounding oil, Palo Santo can also help support the respiratory system. If your respiratory system is suffering or you’re dealing with seasonal allergy symptoms, try diffusing or using in a personal inhaler to bring relief.
Calm
The same reasons that make this oil good for meditation also make it good when you need a little bit of calm. By helping ward off negativity and alleviating worry, this oil can help get you to that calm state of mind so you can tackle whatever problems head your way.
Pain
The Palo Santo tree is rich in terpenes such as limonene and α-terpineol; making this a cousin to Frankincense and Myrrh. It’s these chemicals that make it such a powerful essential oil when it comes to helping ease discomfort and tenderness. Dilute to 3% in your favorite carrier oil and apply to swollen and tender areas.
Meditative Forest Master Blend
- 12 drops Palo Santo
- 10 drops Cedarwood Himalayan
- 4 drops Cardamom
- 4 drops Copaiba
- 3 drops Vetiver
Combine these essential oils. Add 4-8 drops to a diffuser, dilute to 3% with a carrier oil and use topically for specific discomfort or dilute to 1% for an all over body massage.
