Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens)

 Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens), called the Sacred Tree by the Spanish, grows abundantly in South America. Today almost every spiritually developing person associates it, for the sake of its many properties, acting on people on the physical and metaphysical planes, bringing relief to body and soul. Here you will learn what Palo Santo is, its properties and how to use it.

History

The first references to the Sacred Tree can be found in accounts dating back to the Inca tribe. Since the dawn of time, it has been an essential part of shamanic practices, ceremonies, rituals and meditations. In recent times it has become quite famous, among other things, because it is an important part of the Ayahuasca ceremony.

Properties

Palo Santo is excellent for working with negative energies. Its power makes all the energies that are not favorable either to us or to the people in our immediate surroundings leave us while we are fumigating the apartment. With the help of the Holy Tree, one can also cleanse the aura. Meanwhile, its grounding properties, combined with cleansing properties, perfectly support the Ayahuasca ceremony.

Palo Santo neutralizes tensions in the body. It calms the emotions, harmonizes the mind, and has a calming effect. Its unique fragrance shows a salutary effect in case of stress.  In addition, Holy Tree supports our body during the occurrence of colds, flu, asthma, migraine or motion sickness. It exhibits antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, and also fights viral and fungal infections. One Cuban medical study showed that the essential oils in it inhibited the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer.

According to a 2012 study, the essential oil contained in Palo Santo is largely composed of limonene (the same substance found in the peel of lemons, among others, and responsible for their fragrance). Limonene is a substance with many valuable properties, including insect repellent and insecticidal, hence it is used in natural insect repellents. This is why the smell of the Holy Tree repels insects. Scientists also believe that it is the action of limonene that gives Palo Santo its pain-relieving and anti-stress effect.

The South American people also believe that cleansing oneself with the smoke of this incense promotes a good life, brings good luck and attracts life's opportunities.  Thus, it is worth using it whenever we think about taking on new activities or face professional, love or personal challenges.

Ways to use Palo Santo:

Because of the fragrant qualities of the Holy Tree, you can use it as an air freshener by placing it in any room in your home or car. The natural, unburned form will spread a pleasant aroma wherever you stay.
When the Holy Tree is burned, essential oils are released. It is these that have the power to affect negative energies. Cleansing your home and aura will help you fend off bad energy.
The smoke of burning wood effectively repels mosquitoes and other insects.

Palo Santo is very practical - it can be extinguished at any time and then lit later.

Legend of the Sacred Tree

The legend of the origin of the Palo Santo is an extremely beautiful love story from a time when the world was just beginning to exist and the Earth was inhabited by only a handful of people.
One day the handsome and virtuous Cosakait fell in love with a girl. Despite numerous attempts and strenuous efforts, his affection was not reciprocated. The young man suffered from unfulfilled love, but he could not stop loving the chosen one of his heart.
One day Cosakait's body was overwhelmed by a deadly fever. On his deathbed, he wished that he could stay with his beloved forever. To decorate her hair with beautiful flowers, to repel insects with her scent, to perfume the water with which she would wash her face.
God could not give Cosakait the love of his chosen one, but decided to fulfill the wish he had made, just before his death. Soon after, the young man joined the ranks of the dead. The dead man's body was buried by the river.
One day Cosakait's chosen heart strolled near his grave. Something inspired her to stop exactly where the body of the man whose courtship she had rejected rested. She felt the impulse and put her palms into the ground. She felt its cold touch. Cosait's spirit began to materialize in the form of a bud, from which grew a magnificent tree, full of beautiful buds. One of them the girl put in her hair.
The scent of the flower repelled insects, the water took on flavor because of it, a beautiful fragrance spread around her person. The girl fell in love with the tree with the pure love she could not give to the young man. In turn, he remained by her side forever. The Holy Tree became a symbol of true love. One that expects nothing in return. A love that is stronger than death.