A bundle of 3 Palo Santo sticks wrapped in handmade paper.

Palo Santo has been traditionally utilized for purification of air, dispeling of malevolent spirits and cleansing of negative energy as well as soothing of cold and flu symptoms, depression and emotional pain…

The myriad benefits of Palo Santo…

Spiritual Cleansing

When burned, the clarifying smoke released from smudging herbs like sage emit negative ions that can uplift our mood and purify people, places and even objects from negative energy. But of the many sacred plants that have been used around the world for this purpose, indigenous cultures in South America believe that palo santo is the most powerful. It’s used for clearing negativity in the same way as Native Americans in North America have used white sage. Much like washing your hands before the start of a meal, smudging with palo santo is the act of cleansing your aura before you feed your soul through ceremony or ritual. That’s why shamans in the Amazon burn sticks of it during sacred plant-medicine ceremonies to cleanse the energy of the participants and ward off evil spirits.

Healing & Pain Relief

Traditionally, palo santo has been used for remedying various conditions, such as common colds, flu symptoms, stress, asthma, headaches and inflammation by smudging and making teas and tinctures with the wood and essential oils. It’s a rich source of antioxidants and phytochemicals, also known as terpenes, such as limonene and α-terpineol. In concentrated oil form, palo santo is effective in fighting free radical damage, and helping to relieve arthritis pain, stomach aches, and a host of other ailments. And a Cuban medical study found that components in the essential oil slowed the growth of a type of breast cancer, MCF-7.

Relaxation

Often used for emotional and spiritual guidance, palo santo is an effective natural anti-anxiety remedy. When inhaled, it moves directly through the brain’s olfactory system, where it helps to stimulate the body’s relaxation response to combat worry, anxiety, sleep disorders and depression.

Purification & Detox

When used as an herbal tea, palo santo assists in supporting the immune system and shuts down inflammatory responses caused by diet, pollution, environmental stress and illness.

Insect Repellent

When lit, palo santo releases a purifying smoke that repels mosquitoes and other insects, which is one of the many ways people in Ecuador and Peru have used the smoke from this sacred wood.

How to use:

Light one end of the stick, then blow out the flame and allow it to smolder. It can also be burned on charcoals or placed on the hot stones in sweat lodge. One stick can be used many times over.

For Palo Santo Tea:

1. Cut one stick of palo santo into four separate squares.

2. Place one square into a pot for every four cups of water.

3. Bring the water to a boil. Tip: Cover the pot with a lid for faster boiling.

4. Turn off the stove and let the hot water simmer with a lid on top for another five minutes.

5. Use a strainer to transfer the water into your cup.

6. Let the tea cool for three to five minutes, depending on how you take your tea.

7. Add any extra elements to enhance the flavor, like honey, cinnamon or fresh herbs, like rosemary or lavender.

*excerpt from the lovely Bodhi Tree article by Naima Abdi