Palo Santo (Holy Wood) Essential Oil (Bursera graveolens)

Overview

Palo Santo may also be referred to as Holy Wood, crispin. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the wood.

Summary

Palo Santo is a revered tree native to South America. It is considered a cousin to Frankincense Oil because both share similar constituents (primarily Limonene), slightly similar aromas and because both have similar applications. Aged heartwood is rich in terpenes such as limonene and α-terpineol.

Palo Santo (Holy Wood) Essential Oil — By Haplochromis - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Earthy Resinous Slightly citrus Slightly sweet Woody
Common Name(s): Holy Wood, crispin
Botanical Family: Burseraceae
Botanical Genus: Bursera
Chemical Family: Ethers, Monoterpenes
Major Compounds: (+)-Limonene, (+)-Menthofuran, a-Terpineol, Carvone, Germacrene D
Perfumery Note: Middle
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Color: Clear - Pale Yellow
Indigenous Country: Ecuador
Cultivation: Distiller is Certified Organic
Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
Part Typically Used: Wood
Shelf Life: 3-4 years
Conservation Status: [LC] Least Concern

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Organic
Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

Therapeutic Benefits of Palo Santo:

Analgesic Anti-allergenic Anti-anxiety Anti-asthmatic Anti-bacterial Anti-depressant Anti-infectious Anti-inflammatory Anti-oxidant Anti-spasmodic Calming Cephalic CNS tonic Decongestant Expectorant Immuno-stimulant Tonic

Other Uses for Palo Santo:

Aromatherapy

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Palo Santo:

Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 3.4%. They also indicate a risk of hepatotoxicity and precaution to avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 379.]

Safety Precautions for Palo Santo:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.