Palo Santo History and Benefits
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Bringing you a truly epic “treat yourself Tuesday” today, because Primally Pure has expanded their home line to include a Palo Santo collection! They launched their home line in July with a signature summer scent and the intent to include seasonal updates. I immediately purchased it and wrote about here. Palo Santo may or may not sound familiar to you. Whether you are already familiar with the sacred wood or not, PP has actually carried the wood bundle for a while now - I’ve purchased it before and it is great!
Keep reading to dive into more about Palo Santo and the Primally Pure offering! Use discount code ELLEMULENOS for 10% off your order!
Primally Pure Palo Santo Collection (c/o) - can also purchase it separately! Primally Pure Palo Santo Fragrant Wood | Primally Pure Palo Santo Aromatherapy Spray | Primally Pure Palo Santo Oil
Get 10% off your palo santo / entire Primally Pure order with discount code ELLEMULENOS
As you could probably infer, PP sent me the new Palo Santo product early to try and I’m so glad they did because it is G O O D. I was able to take it with us last week during our road trip to Palm Springs. It was very hot (highs of 115 and lows of 85), but each day I found a spot in the shade to practice yoga. I added some spritzes of the Palo Santo room spray around my mat and honestly I was transported back to my hot yoga studio. So dreamy!!
I’m such a sucker for room sprays, but haven’t really been using any since my transition to non-toxic goods. I was so happy with the entire launch of the home line in general, as the whole world is spending a lot more time at home. Also, it’s kind of hard to find non-toxic home goods that also have a luxurious feeling. I have hand soaps and essential oils that I love, but Primally Pure’s home collection is very elevated and yet still more on the affordable side. I’m looking at you $100+ candles. Obviously no judgement. Hah!
So what is Palo Santo?
Palo Santo literally translates to “holy stick” and is a native tree to South America. Used by Shamans and natives to South and Central America alike, it has roots all the way back to the Incan empire. People have been using Palo Santo oils and smoke during healing, cleansing, praying and as a way of life in general for hundreds of years . While Palo Santo has fairly recently become a buzz word for modern day health gurus, I don’t want to skip to the benefits without discussing its history and honoring its past.
Palo Santo is harvested from the Bursera Graveolens tree in Ecuador and Peru and the Bulnesia Sarmientoi tree in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. It is such a special tree that it is illegal to cut any wood off the Palo Santo trees. Palo Santo should only be sourced from wood that has naturally fallen off the tree. Palo Santo trees can live to be almost 100 years old and once they have died, they are required by law to sit on the forest floor for up to another 10 years. It is no wonder people want to rush this process! Know that not only is it wrong to cut wood off a Palo Santo tree (unless it has died and has had its time in the forest), but the oils from the tree aren’t as strong if the process is rushed and wrongfully cut. All the more reason to shop it thoughtfully and sustainably!
Given its rise to popularity in mainstream health and wellness arenas, the Bulnesia Sarmientoi tree has actually been overfarmed (illegally) and has been placed on the endangered watch list. You may think its “cool” and enjoy the benefits of PS, but just be aware and smart about it. Your like for something of importance in someone else’s culture should be approached with caution and respectfully, so it doesn’t cause devastation. Companies often swoop in and try to make a buck or two off a ”trend”, which can create a lot of damage. When you purchase Palo Santo, you need to make sure it has been sustainably sourced. Needless to say Primally Pure’s Palo Santo is sustainably and wildly sourced. They use the Bursera graveolens Palo Santo from Ecuador which is not endangered.
My first solid memory of Palo Santo is when I began practicing yoga, but have since had friends and acquaintances who have had fond memories of their abuelita (grandmother) or mother using it in their home as a final cleansing step. I also vaguely remember learning about it in Spanish class growing up. I love hearing these stories and enjoy learning the history and significance of items like Palo Santo. It truly makes me appreciate them more!
WHAT DOES PALO SANTO SMELL LIKE?
Palo Santo is similar to incense in the fact that you burn it and a fragrance emits. It is kin to frankincense and myrrh, so if you are familiar with those scents, you’ll probably smell a similarity between them. For me personally, I get a cedary scent with some zings of orange and a bit of smokiness. Some compare Palo Santo to the White Sage, as both are used for smudging; however, I prefer the scent of Palo Santo. PS smells more like wood and WS smells more like grass… to me it smells like pot. To each their own. Obviously they are both used for more than their scent!
HOW TO USE PALO SANTO
Per Primally Pure, hold a stick of Palo Santo at a 45-degree angle over an open flame until the wood catches fire. Allow it to burn for about a minute until the flame goes out naturally. You may have to re-light it a couple times. Place the Palo Santo in a small fire-safe bowl (or walk with the wood throughout the area) and let the fragrant, cleansing smoke linger in your space.
Primally Pure obviously sells the wooden bundle, but I love that they have bottled the Palo Santo scents and benefits! The roller ball and spray bottle are great way to take Palo Santo on-the-go or even to an area you may not be able to light a stick or have a match handy.
BENEFITS OF PALO SANTO
Palo Santo has been used for hundreds of years as a sacred and useful practice. Here are a few reasons Palo Santo is a special tree, including its numerous benefits:
Cleanse. Use it to clear energías negativas (negative energy) and uplift a space. It is said to not only rid the air of bad spirits, but to attract positive ones.
Breathe. The scent of Palo Santo is said to uplift and make light thanks to brain-oxygenating terpenes. I spoke about terpenes when I discussed CBD.
Fumigate. The smoke naturally keeps bugs away, but can also be used to keep animals away.
Heal. I’ve never consumed it, but there are teas and such that are said to help with digestive issues along with inflammation. It is also used in lotions, creams, and oils to help with headaches and joint pain along with mental pains like anxiety and depression.
Have you ever used Palo Santo? Better yet do you have a fond memory of using it or smelling it? Let me know - I’d love to hear!
Primally Pure’s Palo Santo collection is great, so be sure to check it out. I have let some friends smell it and they cannot stop singing its praises either. I keep the wood bundle and mist at home, but the roller ball oil comes with me in my purse! Try them all for 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS.
Learn more about Primally Pure’s Palo Santo source of Palo Santo and his story here.
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