Similar toclary sageandcedarwood essential oils, palo santo has antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural cleansing agent. Carry this around the area you wish to cleanse, waving the smoke with your hand or a hand fan to make sure it gets into all of the corners. Is the company invested in its relationship with the farmers and committed to supporting their livelihood. 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. Though not the only sage native to North America, white sage is by far the one most frequently used and sold by the wellness industry. Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. This aroma, which traditionally symbolizes a cleansing of negative energy, is bound to bring you serenity. 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. Look to your ancestral lands to learn more about the plant medicine that your grandmothers used, and pay attention to the plants that are trying to get your attention right now. People in multiple countries in South America use it to repel insects. . Spirit of Palo Santo, clear away the bad things so that only good may come in. 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. You might even smudge around your own body, says Matluck, if your goal is to clean up the energy around you after a particularly unpleasant run-in with an old friend. We never want to disrespect the . Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world., like putting a price on prayer you cant purchase holy water from a Catholic church, banned from practicing their religious beliefs, They are more than happy to be asked about their medicines, as it shows an interest in their practices, Connecting with your lineage and your ancestry. Just rubbing a few drops into the skin is believed to soothe the mind and ward off headaches and anxiety, too. Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. Try to refrain from indulging in these practices if you are not an Indigenous person, and do not buy into this practice solely for the trend aspect of it, especially without educating yourself on the deep cultural and religious context first. See what shes up to at her website. While the wood and oil are said to have medicinal properties, it is best used to heal on the spiritual or vibrational plane. Because theyre related and have similar emotionally stabilizing benefits, you can use palo santo as a substitute for more-popular frankincense oil ormyrrh oil. This ones a biggie, Hammond warns. Get free domestic shipping on all orders over $95. Palo Santo is traditionally used as a natural remedy for colds and flu, as well as symptoms of stress. 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 you are equipped with some context and history, burning palo santo sticks or using palo santo essential oil is pretty straightforward. We can create all the altars we want, but if the belief isnt there, well be hard-pressed to feel that sacred shift. Palo Santo is a medicinal tree that grows in exotic areas. This is one reasonpalo santo essential oil is considered a powerful supporter of mental and emotional clarity. It's said that the uplifting aroma of palo santo is conducive to meditation and relaxation and that it both enhances creativity and brings good fortune. Palo santo oil mixes well with other oils, including: black pepper, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, douglas fir, frankincense, lemon balm, myrrh, rose, vetiver andsandalwood essential oils. Is Netflix's 'The Nurse' Based On A True Story? The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. So much of what were feeling as a collective this disconnect and longing for real meaning can be remedied by leaning on your family, lineage and ancestry for answers. Issues with participating in Palo Santo usage stem from: For years, the over-harvesting of Palo Santo to keep up with Western demand has led to deep concerns of its ability to regenerate robustly. Were starting to turn to these more ancient practices from cultures that live closer to the land, she explains. Begin with a clear, simple intention to clear the negative energy in your space and mind. To successfully market these fast bundles, synthetic Palo Santo scents are being produced, where chemicals are combined to mimic the trees natural aroma. It has been used (through the practice of smudging) to clear energy for thousands of years within indigenous cultures. In fact, its making believers out of a lot of people. Its wood is very aromatic -- it accumulates fragrant oil and resin in the wood fiber, which produces its distinctive scent. This is both a serious hazard, and an indication that this kind of usage is just not right. Thinking About Trying Keen? He typically smudges every corner of his office before circling the entryways and windows. Be suspicious of companies selling oil (sometimes just called holy wood oil) for low prices over the internet today. Smudging is distinctly Indigenous. White sage is quickly becoming endangered. It also brings livelihood to our partner communities who gather and steward it in their homelands. Arent we just engaging in spiritual bypassing by assuming the look of a new-age woke human, or are we actually interested in ascending and bettering ourselves? These still carry the sacred wood's fragrance, and can be powerful additions to sachets. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! Today, palo santo oil may be applied to the body (such as at the base of the skull or on the spine) to increase relaxation, [12] similar to aromatherapy . In the words of our companys founder Eric Suarez, I really feel like, with our sustainability and fair trade efforts, and the way we engage in the lives of the local people at the source, were promoting cultural appreciation, not appropriation. Being responsible about sourcing your palo santo is another important consideration. Palo santo oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties. Step out into the world knowing you attract good things and are connected to the divine. In fact, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed. 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). 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. But just because it's not on the watch list doesn't mean it isn't threatened. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level or add some to your shower or bath to beat a cold or flu. Gaspar de Portol's 1769 expedition is said to have camped near El Palo Alto (referring to "the tall [redwood] tree," now a city landmark) on San Francisquito Creek. 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. Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). But its so important to know the difference!. Smudging is an easy and effective way to cleanse your home and yourself when done with love and care. 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. Because [Palo Santo] is rather popular, you have to look into whether its been ethically sourced, he says. Calling all natural-healing skeptics: Palo Santo might just make a believer out of you. We never want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used. Due to the trees rich supply of antioxidants and phytochemicals, benefits of the oil include: fighting cancer, protecting against infections, relieving inflammation and muscular pains, and reducing anxiety by supporting a healthy nervous system. What naturally grows in your ancestral lands? What are the benefits of palo santo? Here's everything you need to know about it: Its wood from a tree called Bursera graveolens, nicknamed Palo Santo, that grows in South America. Connecting with your lineage and your ancestry isnt just some woke way to side-step cultural appropriation, but it deeply aligns you with the medicine and healing power of the plants that your ancestors used and thrived on. Well-intentioned but ill-informed memes warn that palo santo is teetering on extinction. Suddenly, what was once thought of as evil is now witchy and woke, when practiced by white people? The high resin content of palo santo wood is believed to have purifying properties when it's burned, hence why it was traditionally used to clear negative energy and purify spaces, people, and objects. Watch on Practice smudging by tying a handful of palo santo sticks together in a fire-safe bowl, then ignite gently in a closed-off room to burn for fifteen or so minutes. Palo Santo, literally meaning "holy wood" in Spanish, is a tree that is widely distributed throughout Central and South America. Palo santo may be burned, similar to incense, by lighting shavings of palo santo wood. The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page. 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. Plus most businesses jumping on the bandwagon are not getting the palo santo ethically. In an effort to share and educate others on Native culture and traditions, these centres are open and inviting spaces. respectful understanding of indigenous practices, these mantras from an Indigenous, third-generation medicine woman, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198031/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23285824, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16734569. It reconnects you to the earth and nature, the scents released (forest breathing) affect your mind in a positive way, giving you benefit beyond just the smudging or burning part of it. Try to cut the top inch or so down from the tip then light it, then blow it out which produces a lot of smoke. The ritual comes from Incan tradition that says the smoke from the wood . 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. Though the ritual of smudging as well as the fragrance of Palo Santo are incredibly captivating and tempting, respect for both the tree and Indigenous folk go beyond the need for the consumption and ownership of what is sacred. 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. Palo Santo is a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with mouthwatering hints of citrus. Its unique fragrance is like a mixture of pine resins, citrus, and frankincense, and it clears away negativity, smooths vibrations, and draws in positive feelings better than almost anything else. The "closed practice" language is the emotive layer to make you stop asking questions, but it's not the actual issue; it's conservation. The therapeutic benefits of Palo Santo are many, with it being highly medicinal and healing. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that white sage has important medical benefits it is used to cure colds and aid postpartum healing and its a crucial part of the surrounding ecosystem. Try using some in various homemade soap, lotion, incense and cleansing products, especially in any recipe that calls for frankincense, cedarwood, myrrh orlemon essential oil. And it doesnt specifically refer to the burning of white sage, either. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. Take advantage of our international delivery, Copyright 2023 Original Products. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Colonialism and capitalism place importance on extraction and commodities, whereas Indigenous cultures uphold the gift economy, a true spiritual exchange between all living beings. What is it, and how can you use it today? The wood has historically been utilized in spiritual ceremonies, as well as in aromatherapy, and is still burned in Catholic churches today. 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. In preclinical studies of mammary carcinogenesis and inflammation-related diseases, supplementing with limonene helps to fight inflammation, lower cytokines and protects the epithelial barrier of cells. 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. To use it, light a stick, wait about thirty seconds, and blow out the flame. Palo santo as a magical or metaphysical practice does not belong to a single tradition. Set it a place of honor, and ask the spirit of the wood to cleanse, protect, and uplift the space.There is nothing quite like Palo Santo. Palo santo ( Bursera graveolens) is a tree that's native to Peru, Ecuador, and other South American countries. Whether you doing smudging Palo Sando in an open window or closed window condition, you should not inhale the fumes that come from the bowel. 4. Buying Palo Santo or sage is like putting a price on prayer you cant purchase holy water from a Catholic church or vermillion tikkas from a Hindu temple. This video sums it up really well. Has the company physically traveled to the area in which the trees grow, and do they make regular visits? The demand has become so great that many Chumash people (of what is now Southern California) are concerned that the plant is being overharvested. Because people might get tempted and inhale the fumes that created from by lit the health beneficial herbs like palo santo nearest distance to get most out of . In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. 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.

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