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Sacred Scents© September 2010 Essential oil of the Month: Palo Santo By Kathy Padecky, AS, Aromatherapist, HHP, CBS Botanical Name: Bursera graveolens Common name: Palo Santo, Holy Wood, Holy Stick or Sacred Wood Why I love: Its aroma is breathtaking, provocative, uplifting and it aligns my body with my spiritual self. This oil, like frankincense, sandalwood and myrrh heal on many levels. They are spiritual oils and they transport me to a place of unconditional love and total peace. Aroma, scent and color: It has a rich balsamic, woodsy, sweet scent. The oil is clear and very aromatic. Native to and history: The largest concentration of the Palo Santo tree is found in the Machalilla Park on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. It is protected by the national government. The Incas, Shamans and the indigenous of the Andes used this plant for centuries for spiritual rituals and ceremonies to purify, cleanse, spiritual evolution and to resolve misfortune. It is considered a sacred plant by many. Palo Santo is also found in the Galapagos Islands. Chemistry: Palo Santo is a complex essential oil similar in chemistry to frankincense and sandalwood. The chemistry varies whether the wood is coastal or inland as well as the trunk being red or white tree. It contains at a minimum 2 types of monoterpenes (75-76%), d-limonene and a-pinene. Monoterpenes are very volatile and they absorb quickly into the bloodstream. They have the quickest physiological effect to the body. They are immune stimulating, antiseptic and a tonic. They are very beneficial due to their mildness and safety. Limonene is being studied for its anti-tumoral (anti cancer) effects. There is the ketone (4%), carvone which is in the terpenoid family. Ketones are mucolytic, antimicrobial and skin healing. For some they may be hepatotoxic and neurotoxic. There are two types of alcohols, a-terpineol (8-12%) and eudesmol. Alcohols are antiinflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative. There sesquiterpenes which are anti-inflammatory and calming. It also contains the furanoids menthofunan 1 (5-8%) and agarofuan. Furanoids are possibly phototoxic or a destroyer of UV energy. Which effect it has depends upon the presence of other chemical constituents and how it was produced. This is a hot topic of research. There are also phenols which are strongly antiseptic, antifungal and antiinflammatory. In large amounts these can be skin and mucous membrane irritating and possibly hepatotoxic. Part of the plant: It is steam distilled from wood chips of dead heartwood. The wood is dead for two years before it is distilled from the heartwood. The red wood produces a higher quality of essential oil. No trees are destroyed from the dead wood collected on the ground. Palo Santo may help the body recover from the following: acne, allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, cancer, cold, cough, depression, dermatitis, flu, head ache, inflammation, insect repellant, muscular aches and pains, neck pain, nervous conditions, panic attacks, psoriasis, rheumatism, sprains, lack of spiritual awareness, stress, wounds Palo Santo blends with: cedarwood, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, neroli, rosewood, sandalwood, and vanilla. Contraindications and Precautions: May cause skin sensitivity. Dilution is required. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation. Body, Mind and Spirit: Palo Santo is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, immune stimulant and antibacterial essential oil. It works well with wounds, muscular aches and pains. It repels insects as it shifts your spiritual awareness. Palo Santo is powerfully calming with a soothing aroma. It increases spiritual awareness and assists one to be in quiet contemplation and meditation. It clears negative energies in the home or workplace. Essential Oil Recipes: Muscular aches and pains Palo Santo 1 drop Favorite carrier oil or unscented lotion 2 drops Apply directly on location to relieve discomfort. Uplifting Open the Palo Santo bottle and inhale its vapor to relieve emotional discomfort, panic attacks, depression, and spiritual upliftment. It enhances mediation practices. 2 Increase your intention Set your intention and place one drop of Palo Santo on your 3rd eye (between the eyebrows). Did You Know: The average life span of a Palo Santo tree is eighty to ninety years old. Nine kg of Palo Santo sawdust produces 500 ml of essential oil. Testimonial: I was thinking of exploring knee replacement surgery. A friend from South America said I needed to use Palo Santo. I tried drinking the tea and rubbing the essential oil on my knee. I have to admit it is less painful. I hope it continues to improve. However, I find my meditations deeper and my life more cheerful. F.C. Quote of the month: The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. Joseph Campbell Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription for any disease. The decision to use, or not use, any of this information is the sole responsibility of the reader. Resources: The chemistry of essential oils made simple Reference guide for Essential Oils Winipedia www.ShamansMarket.com www.newdirectionsaromatics.com 3 Dr. David Stewart Connie and Allan Higley