PDF SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS) - edenbotanicals.com For example, in Peru, a shaman will lightBursera graveolens sticks, and the rising smoke is said to enter the energy field surrounding the site. The sacred acts that indigenous people do with herbs are not what you're going to be doing with them so I wouldn't worry about it. I remember asking when I bought them if they were ethically sourced (because I knew at the time the wood was endangered did not know about the burning of it being a closed practice, though), and the shopkeeper said yes. And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. What naturally grows in your ancestral lands? Palo santo oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties. To successfully market these fast bundles, synthetic Palo Santo scents are being produced, where chemicals are combined to mimic the trees natural aroma. If burning incense, herbs, or wood is part of your self-love practice and inner wellness work, there are safe-burning alternatives to burning sage for smoke cleansing, including lavender, pine,. Issues with participating in Palo Santo usage stem from: For years, the over-harvesting of Palo Santo to keep up with Western demand has led to deep concerns of its ability to regenerate robustly. What Does Palo Santo Smell Like? - Harlem Candle Company Though it is illegal in Peru and Ecuador to cut down Palo Santo trees, it is quite difficult to enforce this law. Shave off thin pieces of wood from your Palo Santo stick. In some countries, such as Ecuador, its against the law to remove or cut down these trees because theyre protected due to palo santo deforestation. Though not the only sage native to North America, white sage is by far the one most frequently used and sold by the wellness industry. Once inhaled, palo santo travels directly through the olfactory system (which controls our sense of smell) of the brain, where it helps turn on the bodys relaxation responses and reduces panic, anxiety and insomnia. You can also leave pieces of the wood in your home, especially on your altar. I thought I was in the clear with this one because I was using ethically sourced Palo Santo where the trees were literally dying of natural causes and then waiting years before they were sourced. In reality though, not all medicine works for everyone. Located 35 miles (55 km) south of San Francisco and 14 miles (23 km) north of San Jose, it lies on the western shore of San Francisco Bay. To suddenly mark it as trendy and attempt to engage in the rituals that were once illegal for the very communities that created them, means Native culture is open for cherry picking, where cool aspects can be taken, while the history and atrocities these communities had no choice but to endure can be ignored. If you are a brand who is unsure about cultural sensitivity and how to walk these lines respectfully and in a way that is truly reciprocal, learn more about our Conscious Consulting services and how I can help guide you. chemicals are combined to mimic the trees natural aroma. You cant buy blessings from a rabbi, so apply that same logic here. Ancientveda Palo Santo Sticks Premium Grade from Peru | Sacred Wood for Use a match or lighter to ignite the end of your palo santo stick, and let it burn for about 30 seconds or so before blowing it out. Try using some in various homemade soap, lotion, incense and cleansing products, especially in any recipe that calls for frankincense, cedarwood, myrrh orlemon essential oil. Sage and palo santo are spiritual healing tools traditionally used to cleanse out negative energy, whereas incense is typically use to alter mood, and is used in sacred ceremonies, meditation and as an air freshener. What are the benefits of palo santo? When the moon is new, the wood produces a smaller quantity of light oil. Palo santo is a sacred tree native to South America. The Crystal Industry and Why Its Nowhere as Luminous as the Materials it Produces. Its exploitative and amounts to silencing Native voices and erasing our cultural heritage, Hopkins says. This all sounds great, right? Be suspicious of companies selling oil (sometimes just called holy wood oil) for low prices over the internet today. Reason being: The palo santo tree has long been thought to have special spiritual qualities. Growing herbs is also super easy and can be done with limited space, in an apartment, and with limited resources. Begin with a clear, simple intention to clear the negative energy in your space and mind. Its a group of trees with the species name. But its so important to know the difference!. The valuable fruit of theB. graveolenstree is a small black seed covered by a red pulp thats contained in a green capsule. There are some brands that are very stringent when it comes to the sourcing of their Palo Santo. Jessica Timmons is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Healthline, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and more. To use it, light a stick, wait about thirty seconds, and blow out the flame. Sage, however, is not historically part of European witchcraft, from which many modern day witch practices stem. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. TikTok's Viral Strength & Mobility Test Will Humble You, Why TikTok's "Body Doubling" Productivity Trick Really Works, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. As Keene explains, overharvesting white sage in addition to the threat of increased wildfires and urban development endangers Indigenous peoples ability to access and use the wild plant in the ways they and their ancestors have done for thousands of years. So, is the wood youve just added to your cart from a tree thats been prematurely chopped down? Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Why We Need to Stop Using Palo Santo | Forage and Sustain An analysis of steam-distilled palo santo essential oil showed that the major active constituents include: limonene (89.33 percent), -terpineol (11 percent), menthofuran (6.6 percent) and carvone (2 percent). Quite simply, these rituals are not open for the taking. Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007 and has covered everything from parenting and pregnancy to residential and industrial real estate, cannabis, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, landscaping, home decor, and more. Wild plants can't support becoming commercial commodities, which is why you'll see Walmart now selling random bundles of who-knows-what wood sprayed with "sage-scent"- seriously, go check out their incense . In preclinical studies of mammary carcinogenesis and inflammation-related diseases, supplementing with limonene helps to fight inflammation, lower cytokines and protects the epithelial barrier of cells. Is Palo Santo a closed practice? : r/Witch - Reddit Regardless of what you're cleansing, you'll want to have your windows or doorways open so the old energy has somewhere to go (and you don't stink up the house with smoke . What Is Palo Santo and Why Do People Burn It? - Martha Stewart The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. Remember: we cannot consume our way to our higher selves. This ones a biggie, Hammond warns. I thought I was in the clear with this one because I was using ethically sourced Palo Santo where the trees were literally dying of natural causes and then waiting years before they were sourced. Palo Santo clears away negativity, smooths vibrations, and draws in positive feelings better than almost anything else. With practice and a willingness to see, you can use incense smoke or ashes to answer any question you can think of. It took a bit to print new materials, labels, and all of that but I got it done and I am now proud to say that there are no sage bundles available at Empath Essentials and even the term smudging is slowly being phased out. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. At Lots of Zen, our palo santo incense is made from fine palo santo wood shavings bound together with a chemical-free glue. dazedxbat 1 yr. ago. As a great way to naturally lower pain from arthritis, injuries, chronic neck or back pain, and sore muscles, apply several drops with a carrier oil three times a day directly on the point of pain. A closed practice is one where the mysteries and practices are off limits to people who are not initiated to it. Breathe the sacred fragrance, and allow it to enhance your meditation. For example, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, and rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France in order to clear the air of infection. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! That may include educating yourself and others about white sage, appropriation, and smoke cleansing; harvesting your own sage or other herbs sustainably; contacting brands to ask them to stop selling white sage without giving due to Native cultures; or using other plants entirely. Arent we just engaging in spiritual bypassing by assuming the look of a new-age woke human, or are we actually interested in ascending and bettering ourselves? This is both a serious hazard, and an indication that this kind of usage is just not right. Does the companys site say anything about their work with South American suppliers and how they comply with Palo Santo importation regulations? The wood has historically been utilized in spiritual ceremonies, as well as in aromatherapy, and is still burned in Catholic churches today. Gaspar de Portol's 1769 expedition is said to have camped near El Palo Alto (referring to "the tall [redwood] tree," now a city landmark) on San Francisquito Creek. This creates local abundance. With the wellness industry making acts of self-care synonymous with the consumption of products and appendages, people have flocked to the crystal shops to get their bundle stashes faster than ever, attempting to smudge their way to inner peace. If it is what she claims, how should I properly give it back to the earth or dispose of it? The sweet, smoky fragrance is an intoxicating go-to for cleansing and clearing spaces. She works primarily with palos (sticks), herbs, and flowers. For ritual participants who observe the practice and take in palo santos aroma, its said to clear misfortune, negative thought prints, and evil spirits.. The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. People in multiple countries in South America use it to repel insects. (Help!). But, hey, now that I know - I know I need to do better. Read up on the company selling the Palo Santo youre interested in, and check on their sourcing processes. Help! Not all medicine works for everyone, so customize your uniqueness by leaning into the herbs that were revered by your ancestors, or those that are deeply speaking to you. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. I know burning palo santo is a closed practice, but what about - Reddit It also brings livelihood to our partner communities who gather and steward it in their homelands. Although its well-tolerated, applying palo santo essential oil to a small patch of your skin to perform a test is a good idea before using it on larger or more sensitive parts of the body. So when our religious practices are mocked through these products, or folks are commodifying and making money off our ceremonies, its not about who has the right to buy or sell. Theyve already planted 4000 trees in 2019. The work of these artisans represents a connection to their ancestry that spans millenniums, with the power to create dialogue between different cultures, breaking cycles of prejudice and discrimination. Can we agree that palo santo use by non-Latines is cultural - Reddit If we can eat pizza, share yerba mate, and learn karate without causing conflict, why cant we burn this sacred wood from the forests of Ecuador? If not, you're better off shopping elsewhere. If the usage of sage is important to you, you can call a centre close to you and just ask them for some sage. Growing your own ensures that you are consuming within a boundary that youve set and that no communities or wildlife gets hurt in the process. Its scientific name is "Bursera Graveolens", and it's related to FrankIncense and Myrrh. Here at Sacred Wood Essence, we practice deep respect for Palo Santo ( Bursera Graveolens ). Again, this takes a bit since I have to print new materials, labels, etc. The Softer, the Better. Smudging sage was part of those banned religious practices. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. If you can smell the scent within the wood, then you likely have real palo santo. The delicate, sweet smelling smoke evokes hints of mint, citrus, and light pine. On the surface this practice looks like any other wellness trend incense, diffusers etc., however it is deeply rooted in cultural appropriation and thus is hurtful to the Indigenous communities who have practiced this for centuries, and from where this ritual comes from. 3. Wed also like to mention the importance of understanding herbs, herbalism and plant medicine. There's only one restriction here: Treat the spirit of the wood with respect. That gives the oils in the wood enough time to fully mature before it is harvested and processed into sticks or essential oils. Either way, the tropical dry forest habitat of bursera graveoleon is suffering worldwide, so there is some reason for concern. While clinical studies on the wood's medicinal effects are limited, it is rich in both antioxidants and limonene 2, a terpene that has been extensively researched and has anti-inflammatory benefits 3. Its wood is very aromatic -- it accumulates fragrant oil and resin in the wood fiber, which produces its distinctive scent. In 2004, researchers from the University of Shizuoka School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Japan discovered several other key phytochemicals in palo santo oil that are capable of fighting cancerous cell mutation. Palo Santo itself is no longer on the endangered list, however its habitat tropical dry forests are being clear cut for cattle ranching, meaning the trees can be affected. Why Trust Us? This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. It's sold in the form of wood sticks or part of a kit including a bowl. Please see our privacy policy to learn more! The therapeutic benefits of Palo Santo are many, with it being highly medicinal and healing. What is a Closed Practice? By improving blood circulation and recharging your energy levels, it can help you feel better faster and stop severity of feelings of dizziness, congestion and nausea. In fact, before smudging was popularized, it was illegal at least, for Indigenous folks and often violently suppressed. 5 PorkchopFunny 2 yr. ago Owning palo santo/burning it/sticking it up your butt/doing whatever with it is not a closed practice. Is Burning Sage Cultural Appropriation? What You Should Know - Bustle Palo Santo in Spanish is holy stick. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. numerology, angels, angel numbers, guides, ancestors, guardian angels, manifestation. These still carry the sacred wood's fragrance, and can be powerful additions to sachets. Is palo santo better than sage? So much of what were feeling as a collective this disconnect and longing for real meaning can be remedied by leaning on your family, lineage and ancestry for answers. Once you are equipped with some context and history, burning palo santo sticks or using palo santo essential oil is pretty straightforward. The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. 4. Though once thought to be, Palo Santo is no longer on the endangered list. Historically, palo santo wood chips or sticks have been used to make a natural mosquito repellent (likecitronella oil) because it possessesaromatic resins and volatile oils. And exposure to the particles released by burning wood can be irritating to the lungs. Since it expands consciousness and bolsters mental clarity and connections to the divine, this wood is ideal for meditation. Support Indigenous-owned businesses, follow Indigenous accounts, and if you can, support these organizations that are doing incredible work to assist Indigenous communities: Some alternatives that can be used for space cleansing, bug repellent or for creating a calming atmosphere are listed below. Calling all natural-healing skeptics: Palo Santo might just make a believer out of you. Palo Santo, also known as holy wood, has been used by Shamans of the Amazon and the Andes for centuries to achieve spiritual purification, awareness, and energy cleansing. But, hey, now that I know - I know I need to do better. dry tropical forests have been decimated. Palo santo oil mixes well with other oils, including: black pepper, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, douglas fir, frankincense, lemon balm, myrrh, rose, vetiver andsandalwood essential oils. Are We Doomed To Break Up? Nurturing and growing a plant is a form of self-care, giving you balance, grounding you and providing purpose, similar to what burning a bundle would do. It's important that in the process of any cleansing you're respecting Indigenous cultures and the ecosystem. Website created by Lighthaus Design, Original Products Botanica instagram Link, Original Products Botanica pinterest Link. Over 40 different types of palo santo trees are grown worldwide, mostly throughout Central and South America. You can find it in northern Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, the coast of Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Yukatan Peninsula. But just because it's not on the watch list doesn't mean it isn't threatened. You may also wear a Palo Santo bead necklace or bracelet to connect to the spirit of the wood and enjoy the fragrance without burning. Is using White Sage Incense a Closed Practice? : r/IndianCountry - Reddit Triterpene lupeolcompounds found in palo santo especially showed strong activity against lung, breast and colon cancer cells. It primarily grows along the coast of South America, and can be found in Peru, Argentinia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands. For centuries, Palo Santo, which translated means "holy wood," has been burned as an energy cleanser, says Matluck. But if you tend to poke around smoke cleansing social media circles, you've probably heard people ask (and might be wondering yourself): Is burning sage and smudging cultural appropriation? Having become quite the sensation in recent years in the Western world, Palo Santo (alongside white sage), has erupted when it comes to self-care. Smudging refers to a specific cultural and spiritual practice, but smoke cleansing offers an alternative to smudging for folks who aren't Indigenous. How to Use Palo Santo Wood in Your Yoga Practice If you're wondering how much Palo Santo exposure is too much, there's unfortunately no research out there about safety thresholds yet, says Dr. Goldsteinso he advises burning it with caution. We never want to disrespect the . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This is one reasonpalo santo essential oil is considered a powerful supporter of mental and emotional clarity. Step out into the world knowing you attract good things and are connected to the divine. P501 - Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant. Here's What To Know First, Based On My Experience. Blessed be. You can also combine palo santo withlavender oil,bergamot oilor frankincense oil for additional relaxation benefits. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. Cultural Appropriation and Disregard for the Sacred: While cultural appropriation is a term that can get thrown around for almost anything these days (we are huge fans of celebrating different cultures and encourage you to embrace and learn about as many things as possible, respectfully and in the right way), we do have to be cautious and considerate when it comes to specific realms. It helps reduce odors, microbes and and viruses within your home. And when it comes to how often you should smudge, Matluck says to burn your Palo Santo or use its oils as often as you feel you need towhatever it takes to surround yourself with the pure energy you want. Palo santo is also related to the citrus family and has a somewhat similar sweet note of clean smelling pine, mint and lemon. How To Use Palo Santo For Energy Cleansing - Nylon This has caused some serious problems for those burning the sticks without knowing, as many have immediately caught rapid fire. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). Our highest potential is cultivated by our innermost depths and our truest beliefs. The Chumash people, for instance, who are native to central and southern coastal regions of California, use white sage in healing sessions to purify the central nervous system. The benefits of growing your own herbs are many, and have huge therapeutic elements. National governments are responsible for regional conservation status, which means a species can be considered endangered in one country and not in another. Like sage, which is predominantly used by Native Americans, South American shamans believed burning Palo Santo had similar properties capable of resetting energy that was tainted by negativity or conflict. Plus most businesses jumping on the bandwagon are not getting the palo santo ethically. 2. All Rights Reserved. Its protective phytochemicals seem capable of helping to stop disease formation within the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Keep cool. Other beneficial compounds in smaller quantities include germacrene D, muurolene and pulegone. While the tree matures relatively quickly (50-70 years compared to the hundreds of years others in the arboreal world take), the only way to get the full benefit of this tree is by letting it die naturally, and allowing it a four to ten year resting period on the forest floor. Palo Santo, or Bursera Graveolens is a sacred tree prevalent in South America, with the biggest growth happening in Ecuador and Peru. The need to take ownership of cultural practices is rooted in colonialism and capitalism, with a misguided belief that the possession of sacred tools is enough to bring about inner peace, rather than actually doing the work. Known to combat migraines and even stress-related headaches or bad moods, palo santo helps to lower inflammation and increase blood flow that can help turn off perceived pain. Another option is apply several drops mixed with a carrier oil (such as coconut orjojoba oil) to your head, neck, chest or spine to help you unwind and fall asleep more easily.
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