is palo santo wood a closed practice

This tug is usually your ancestors guiding you exactly where you need to go. This has been on our minds here at Sacred Wood Essence a lot lately. Its an important ceremonial purifying ritual or prayer created and practiced in many North American Indigenous cultures. 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. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your spiritual practice. Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). The benefits of growing your own herbs are many, and have huge therapeutic elements. P264 -Wash hands thoroughly after handling. And yet its also important to avoid flattening the lives and experiences of local peoples into a single static image. 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 valuable fruit of theB. graveolenstree is a small black seed covered by a red pulp thats contained in a green capsule. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Triterpene lupeolcompounds found in palo santo especially showed strong activity against lung, breast and colon cancer cells. 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. We also really love Incausa this non-profit collaborates with artisans, villages and associations of eight different native ethnicities in the Amazon. Particularly, its been gaining attention for being a natural cancer treatmentfor inflammatory diseases. 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. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! Its wood is very aromatic -- it accumulates fragrant oil and resin in the wood fiber, which produces its distinctive scent. The bags unmarked, and its more than clear that the runes are carved by hand (and cut by hand; they are far from uniform shapes). All rights reserved. We offer free shipping in the USA on all domestic orders totaling more than $95, Let our in-house spiritualists dress and prepare your candles, and bless your amulets and talisman, Have any candle dressed, and even prayed over, lit, and set on our altar by our in-house spiritualists, Canada, The Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa, anywhere. Here are some ways to get started using palo santo oil: Try using several drops of pure palo santo oil as a detoxification agent by combining it with hot water (not boiling) and drinking it as an herbal tea. Once this was brought to my attention, I removed sage bundles from the kits in my shop. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) I thought I was in the clear with this one because I was using ethically sourced Palo Santo where the trees were literally dying of natural causes and then waiting years before they were sourced. Palo Santo is a precious wood, so you may not wish to burn it. 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. Try taking it as a dietary supplement for natural allergy relief (only recommended when using a therapeutic-grade oil) or inhale it from the bottle several times daily. But unless you are a descendant of Indigenous North American people, it likely wasn't white sage that they were burning, according to Keene. Begin with a clear, simple intention to clear the negative energy in your space and mind. ), and follow what naturally pulls you. P501 - Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant. It primarily grows along the coast of South America, and can be found in Peru, Argentinia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands. Your FREE Astrology Sex, Love and Attraction Guide. When it burns, the aromatic wood releases lemon, mint, and pine notesan invigorating, grounding fragrance that is believed to have a number of benefits. Palo santo helps support the immune system and regulates inflammatory responses, such as those triggered by a poor diet, pollution, stress and illness. Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to "smudge" their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and prayer simply, its cultural appropriation. The Benefits Of Palo Santo, Healing Wood, According To Experts But just because it's not on the watch list doesn't mean it isn't threatened. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}How To Avoid Unexpected Health Bills. Well, times change. There are some brands that are very stringent when it comes to the sourcing of their Palo Santo. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Because [Palo Santo] is rather popular, you have to look into whether its been ethically sourced, he says. Keep cool. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. How to Tell if Your Palo Santo is Authentic - Jt.Org Archived post. 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. Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. This video sums it up really well. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUCN) ranks the conservation status of palo santo, scientifically known as bursera graveoleon, as "of least concern." Palo santo the aromatic wood that has been used for traditional healing and in spiritual ceremonies in indigenous and mestizo Latin American cultures for centuries has seen a growth in. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. 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. That may include educating yourself and others about white sage, appropriation, and smoke cleansing; harvesting your own sage or other herbs sustainably; contacting brands to ask them to stop selling white sage without giving due to Native cultures; or using other plants entirely. This aroma, which traditionally symbolizes a cleansing of negative energy, is bound to bring you serenity. Protecting and Empowering Empaths Across the Universe. 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 . Is palo santo better than sage? White sage is quickly becoming endangered. Colonialism and capitalism place importance on extraction and commodities, whereas Indigenous cultures uphold the gift economy, a true spiritual exchange between all living beings. When the moon is new, the wood produces a smaller quantity of light oil. You can find it in northern Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, the coast of Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Yukatan Peninsula. Smudging is distinctly Indigenous. What plant medicines and herbs did your ancestors use? Magic and Spiritual Uses & Benefits of Palo Santo - Original Botanica Being so far removed here in the West, these bundles are still being snatched up faster than ever due to the trend, rather than the understanding of its importance. 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. On the surface this practice looks like any other wellness trend incense, diffusers etc., however it is deeply rooted in cultural appropriation and thus is hurtful to the Indigenous communities who have practiced this for centuries, and from where this ritual comes from. 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. 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. Before we dive into this deeper, what is Palo Santo and what is smudging? In Canada, there are Indigenous Friendship Centres in many cities across the country. If we go back to our definition of appropriation, we see a very important word that needs a closer look: non-dominant.When we appreciate an item, activity, or expression from a non-dominant culturesuch as burning palo santo, listening to reggae, or surfing Oahus north shorewe need to step more lightly. And exposure to the particles released by burning wood can be irritating to the lungs. Palo santo ( Bursera graveolens) is a tree that's native to Peru, Ecuador, and other South American countries. 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. Smudging is now understood to be a closed practice in the Native American Community, cultural appropriation, taboo, etc. Theyve already planted 4000 trees in 2019. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Before you buy from a company, ask the following questions: There are arguments to be made for and against buying palo santo, but the combination of Western demand and responsible cultivation and harvesting can bring value to both the species and its habitat. Palo Santo Sticks - Mountain Rose Herbs Once you are equipped with some context and history, burning palo santo sticks or using palo santo essential oil is pretty straightforward. It's scent is like the actor you've never noticed before, but then you watch him in one movie and you realize he's starring in everything. 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. You can also use the essential oil in the same way or combine it with water and spray it directly onto your skin or clothes. 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 ritualistic burning (or smudging) of Palo Santo wood comes from the Incan belief that the smoke produced by Palo Santo has medicinal properties. Once lit, it produces a thick smoke that carries energetic and spiritual importance. The wellness industry has stripped the deeply religious aspects of these plants and packaged them up for profit. To successfully market these fast bundles, synthetic Palo Santo scents are being produced, where chemicals are combined to mimic the trees natural aroma. 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. When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? Its a group of trees with the species name. The smoke is then waved over the area you want to cleanse. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. The wood is also used to communicate with the divine, heal on the physical and spiritual levels, and improve concentration and mental focus during meditation.Palo Santo is considered so holy, it must never be cut down. Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). Her work has appeared in Healthline, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee Crumbs. 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). 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. 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. Nurturing and growing a plant is a form of self-care, giving you balance, grounding you and providing purpose, similar to what burning a bundle would do. are clickable links to these studies. Another option is apply several drops mixed with a carrier oil (such as coconut orjojoba oil) to your head, neck, chest or spine to help you unwind and fall asleep more easily. A Note On Sage Smudging & Palo Santo Empath Essentials Treat this wood with respect and it will reward you. 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. Why We Need to Stop Using Palo Santo | Forage and Sustain 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. compassion? What is Palo Santo and Where Can I Find It in Singapore? While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Its protective phytochemicals seem capable of helping to stop disease formation within the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems. An analysis of steam-distilled palo santo essential oil showed that the major active constituents include: limonene (89.33 percent), -terpineol (11 percent), menthofuran (6.6 percent) and carvone (2 percent). One is not necessarily better, as they have similar uses including enhancingspiritual purifying and energy cleansing.. You cant buy blessings from a rabbi, so apply that same logic here. This is harmful, not only because it means something sacred has been turned into a commercial commodity, but also because a divide has been created between what the tree actually represents, versus the itemization of it (many have no idea that it is even a sacred Indigenous ritual, assuming its just the wellness trend du jour). Theres a rise and a growth of consciousness around energy and spirituality. Being responsible about sourcing your palo santo is another important consideration. Just rubbing a few drops into the skin is believed to soothe the mind and ward off headaches and anxiety, too. The "closed practice" language is the emotive layer to make you stop asking questions, but it's not the actual issue; it's conservation. Step out into the world knowing you attract good things and are connected to the divine. Remember: we cannot consume our way to our higher selves. The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. 10 Incredible Benefits of Palo Santo Wood - Palo Santo Supply Company Ltd With information constantly at our fingertips (s/o to the internet), people are looking into alternative ways to wellness that dont rely on modern medicines quick fixes, says Matluck. I remember asking when I bought them if they were ethically sourced (because I knew at the time the wood was endangered did not know about the burning of it being a closed practice, though), and the shopkeeper said yes. Help! P370 + P378 - In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or alcohol-resistant foam for extinction. Similar toclary sageandcedarwood essential oils, palo santo has antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural cleansing agent. Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world. These tropical dry forests are hospitable to human activity (read: exploitation), and are therefore often subject to clear cutting for cattle ranches, which means Palo Santo trees often get caught in the logging process. You can also combine palo santo withlavender oil,bergamot oilor frankincense oil for additional relaxation benefits. For centuries, Palo Santo, which translated means "holy wood," has been burned as an energy cleanser, says Matluck. Opened vs Closed Practices | Wiki | Baby Witches 101 Amino 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. 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. Shamans and healers, often known as Curanderos, traditionally used the energizing and healing properties of palo santo to purify air, dispel evil spirits, and cleanse negative energy. Waft The Smoke. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? Once put in a diffuser, its aroma acts as both an insect repellent and fragranceits even been bottled and sold as perfume. Can we agree that palo santo use by non-Latines is cultural - Reddit Palo Santo in Spanish is holy stick. Palo Santo itself is no longer on the endangered list, however its habitat tropical dry forests are being clear cut for cattle ranching, meaning the trees can be affected. Even if you couldn't put a name to it at the time, you've probably enjoyed the signature scent of palo santo at some point. White sage grows naturally in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and is particularly found along the coast of Southern California and in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features. Growing your own ensures that you are consuming within a boundary that youve set and that no communities or wildlife gets hurt in the process. P403 + P235 - Store in well-ventilated place. Im going to miss traditional Sage Smudging and Palo Santo but you know my Energy Cleansing Sprays and Salves have evolved into beautiful alternatives! What is it, and how can you use it today? Does the company work directly with the farmers to ensure the harvesting process is ethical and sustainable? The sacred acts that indigenous people do with herbs are not what you're going to be doing with them so I wouldn't worry about it. Being intentional about how you implement this practice in your life and being mindful about its origins and significance is helpful for everyone. 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. Limonene, the main active ingredient in palo santo, is a . Palo santo oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties. This is a respectful and reciprocal way in which we can uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. Your 3-Step Guide On How To Use Palo Santo Wood This all sounds great, right? This is where the resin forms, the scent associated with Palo Santo. 4 [deleted] 2 yr. ago [removed] [deleted] 2 yr. ago We are all peruvian enough 7 The highest quality oils form in the aged heartwood, which is used in sacred ceremonies and for healing by specific local cultures. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Smudging, also known as saging, has become a trendy wellness practice that folks use to cleanse their spaces be it a bedroom, an entire home, or even a car. These days, to take advantage of its unique smell, Palo Santos been distilled into an essential oil, says Matluck. Palo santo is not a closed practice. 1 small stick of Palo Santo wood; 2 cups of boiled water; Honey or a natural sweetener (as per taste) Directions.

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