The origin of the ethnobotanical uses of the Palo Santo
The Bursera Graveolens, or Palo Santo, is a tropical plant that occupies a place of considerable importance as far as its use in ethnobotany is concerned. Although its botanical description in the Western world occurred only in 1824 thanks to a German expedition, the Palo Santo was known and used by most of the populations living in South America for several centuries.
Considered almost sacred because of its benefits, even today, the harvesting of its vital wood is carried out following ancient traditions aimed at preserving this particular type of plant intact.
In fact, it is precisely from his wood that both incense sticks as well as the essential aromatic oil famous for its numerous properties that are found in the line of Palo Santo® cosmetics products by Lynpha Vitale of Herborea are derived.
How production takes place
Both for what concerns the extraction of the essential oil and also for the realization of the classic incense sticks, a production is carried out in order to fully respect the environment and the Palo Santo itself.
Not surprisingly, for these purposes, only specimens of this plant that have fallen to the ground and dried naturally are used. In fact, the young trees of Palo Santo do not offer the typical characteristics required. In fact, to ensure that its unmistakable smell can be produced, the tree must have reached at least ten years of life, as well as having dried up in a completely natural way. Also with regard to the extraction of the essential oil, equal care is used.
The magic of the Palo Santo
The shamans of the Inca people considered the Palo Santo as a magical plant and, for this reputation, they valued it as a powerful tool capable of averting the harmful effects produced by negative energies. In addition to this, he was also seen as a mystical instrument in order to be able to contact the deities.
In indigenous rituals, consequently, its dense smoke was seen as a powerful spiritual tool and, for this reason, it was widely used in various sacred ceremonies. But not only. In fact, the Palo Santo was not just a tree used in sacred rituals. Indeed, in ancient times its properties were already known.
The uses of the Palo Santo: a world of kaleidoscopic forms
The properties of the Palo Santo, already known to the populations of South America, today are used for various purposes. In fact, there are really many products made with this plant, and, each of these comes to be characterized by different properties .
As far as the cosmetics industry is concerned, for example, it is the basis of the creation of a whole series of products, such as soap for intimate hygiene, shampoo and shower gel, just to name a few. Furthermore, in the kaleidoscopic world of using Palo Santo, we can find the essential oil, particularly used in aromatherapy.
This essential oil is useful for achieving perfect psychophysical relaxation during meditation. The uses of the Palo Santo range from the simple tool to purify environments by eliminating bad smells, to knowing how to create an ideal environment to enter meditation, to be used both for fumigation as well as to combat the presence of insects.
