Over 40 different types of palo santo trees are grown worldwide, mostly throughout Central and South America. Because it lowers inflammation and the bodys response to histamines, palo santo has benefits for fighting seasonal allergy symptoms, digestive issues and asthma-related symptoms. Burning palo santo as part of a calming ritual can help promote a shift in energy. 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. Your FREE Astrology Sex, Love and Attraction Guide. Ayales works directly with the farmers, actually knows their names, and regularly visits the areas where her products come from. If the fragrance is not on the wood, you probably have lower quality palo santo or another wood entirely! Smudging, also known as saging, has become a trendy wellness practice that folks use to cleanse their spaces be it a bedroom, an entire home, or even a car. Like smudging with sage, smudging with Palo Santo is all about covering the space in which you need a boost of purified energy and want to attract alllll the good stuff with intention. Im just worried now that my having them at all is cultural appropriation somehow?? Palo santo is not a closed practice. Incausa has developed a sustainable retail and wholesale marketplace which provides opportunities to the native people of the Amazon basin, helping them to preserve an integral livelihood. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. All Rights Reserved. Its hard to let go of something I grew up with, sure, but its harder to think that I am hurting a group of people. A cousin of both frankincense and myrrh, palo santo literally means "holy wood," and it's a fitting name given its past. Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. Palo Santo has been added to the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) list, because though the tree is not yet nearing extinction, its recent overharvesting can put it on that path. Burning Palo Santo is generally a safe practice however once it has been burned for 20-30 minutes the scent can become overpowering so it is best to have a few windows . Its primarily used in essential oil form or burned similarly to other types of incense. 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. It's important that in the process of any cleansing you're respecting Indigenous cultures and the ecosystem. This is a respectful and reciprocal way in which we can uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. The best thing to do is source herbs that are grown locally, or grow your own! Here's What To Know First, Based On My Experience. My Boyfriend & I Don't Agree On Religion. Again, this takes a bit since I have to print new materials, labels, etc. The Crystal Industry and Why Its Nowhere as Luminous as the Materials it Produces. are clickable links to these studies. Other beneficial compounds in smaller quantities include germacrene D, muurolene and pulegone. One is not necessarily better, as they have similar uses including enhancingspiritual purifying and energy cleansing.. Triterpene lupeolcompounds found in palo santo especially showed strong activity against lung, breast and colon cancer cells. In Ecuador, for instance, palo santo is an integral part of everyday life. Before we dive into this deeper, what is Palo Santo and what is smudging? And it doesnt specifically refer to the burning of white sage, either. The benefits of growing your own herbs are many, and have huge therapeutic elements. Unfortunately, most of those times seem to happen outside of the home, where burning Palo Santo wood would be difficult and attract a lot of attention! Its protective phytochemicals seem capable of helping to stop disease formation within the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems. 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. 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. Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. Like every platform that uses social networking buttons and analytics, we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. While many Indigenous folk do sell sage and other plant medicines, its important we know where we are buying from and who we are supporting. When smoked as incense, this is called smudging. By lighting shavings of palo santo wood, the smell keeps not only bugs but also spiritual bad energy away, according to mystics. good vibes only?) Particularly, its been gaining attention for being a natural cancer treatmentfor inflammatory diseases. 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. In fact, its making believers out of a lot of people. 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. Lastly, upon hearing from those within the community, and Indigenous folk in North America, Palo Santo, along with white sage shouldnt be sold as a commodity (especially by retail chains), but rather be given to you by a shaman to ensure it actually has the sacred benefit that it is being used for. Were starting to turn to these more ancient practices from cultures that live closer to the land, she explains. For starters, it's your answer to ~good~ vibes. 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. As you do this, state your intention. Being intentional about how you implement this practice in your life and being mindful about its origins and significance is helpful for everyone. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. As with the Native American practice of smudging with sage, South American shamans believed burning Palo Santo had similar properties capable of resetting energy that was tainted by negativity or . Limonene, the main active ingredient in palo santo, is a bioactive component found in high concentrations in certain plants, including citrus peels, that has well-researchedanticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used (through the practice of smudging) to clear energy for thousands of years within indigenous cultures. What exactly is cultural appropriation? Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). Shamans and healers, often known as Curanderos, traditionally used the energizing and healing properties of palo santo to purify air, dispel evil spirits, and cleanse negative energy. Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. Because people might get tempted and inhale the fumes that created from by lit the health beneficial herbs like palo santo nearest distance to get most out of . Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Do they say which country the wood is from? But, hey, now that I know - I know I need to do better. Burning dried wood from the mystical palo santo tree, and collecting its concentrated oils, have been widely used in folk medicines and by shamans (medicine men) for centuries. 3. People in multiple countries in South America use it to repel insects. Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). Read up on the company selling the Palo Santo youre interested in, and check on their sourcing processes. By listening to locals, honoring traditions, supporting communities, and giving credit and compensation at every turn, we can support a cultural exchange that truly is appreciation, not appropriation. compassion? 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. You can burn the wood or incense in a sick room -- in addition to clearing out negative energies produced by pain and illness, it is said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and relaxing properties. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. 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. This light allows good things to enter, but no negativity or evil intentions can pass through. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Palo Santo, literally meaning "holy wood" in Spanish, is a tree that is widely distributed throughout Central and South America. We have to ask ourselves, what benefit are we really looking for here? We like the brand Anima Mundi Herbals, as the founder, Adriana Ayales, is a rainforest herbalist who grew up in Costa Rica. It primarily grows along the coast of South America, and can be found in Peru, Argentinia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands. The alluring, heady scent of the resin is one of the major contributors to its rise in popularity in the West. Since one of Palo Santo's many spiritual properties is its ability to draw in luck, wearing a little bit of Palo Santo cologne is a discreet way to use it.Take a moment to relax and center yourself, and picture your entire body surrounded by an egg-shaped shield of golden light. Long story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. Palo santo is known to fight infections and viruses that can leave you with a cold or the flu. Many cultures have historical and spiritual practices connected to smoke cleansing everything from herbs and woods to incense and roots. dazedxbat 1 yr. ago. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. To make sure yours is sourced by a company that abides by regulations and preserves the South American ecosystem, read the sites "about" page, peep its social media accounts, and call them up if you have to. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your spiritual practice. Return to the room and pitch open the windows to its wholly purified and renewed space. 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. I have palo santo and have been using it for around 5 months, and since it's witchtok, there's a possibility it's misleading. Follow your intuition; once you feel you have enough, extinguish the flame and begin your routine. 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. Palo Santo looks like a small wooden stick and it's scent is known to raise the vibration in preparation for meditation, creative endeavors and ceremony. We also really love Incausa this non-profit collaborates with artisans, villages and associations of eight different native ethnicities in the Amazon. Sage has long been used as an herb in Mediterranean cuisine, used for medicinal purposes, or grown ornamentally. Palo santo wood chip incense or essential oil can also be used to clean the air and surfaces in your home and prevent illnesses, contamination or even bad energy. Purify your kitchen, bathroom or appliances by diffusing the oil or running it through your household appliances. This aroma, which traditionally symbolizes a cleansing of negative energy, is bound to bring you serenity. 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. Well, times change. Palo santo oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties. This is both a serious hazard, and an indication that this kind of usage is just not right. Palo santo is also related to the citrus family and has a somewhat similar sweet note of clean smelling pine, mint and lemon. Being so far removed here in the West, these bundles are still being snatched up faster than ever due to the trend, rather than the understanding of its importance. 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. Buying Palo Santo or sage is like putting a price on prayer you cant purchase holy water from a Catholic church or vermillion tikkas from a Hindu temple. It helps reduce odors, microbes and and viruses within your home. Archived post. You can also leave pieces of the wood in your home, especially on your altar. Aside from its mental health applications, more recently studies have shown that it has promising benefits when it comes to raising immunity and fighting illnesses. Though once thought to be, Palo Santo is no longer on the endangered list. Once you are equipped with some context and history, burning palo santo sticks or using palo santo essential oil is pretty straightforward. Does the company work directly with the farmers to ensure the harvesting process is ethical and sustainable? 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. While clinical studies on the wood's medicinal effects are limited, it is rich in both antioxidants and limonene2, a terpene that has been extensively researched and has anti-inflammatory benefits3. The "closed practice" language is the emotive layer to make you stop asking questions, but it's not the actual issue; it's conservation. Challenging the notion that we need things smudge bundles, incense, crystals, feathers in order to invite in spirituality is a great starting point in beginning to understand ourselves better. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! Once you have your hands on ethically sourced palo santo, these mantras from an Indigenous, third-generation medicine woman can help you infuse it with your intention. Please see our privacy policy to learn more! Wed also like to mention the importance of understanding herbs, herbalism and plant medicine. The key is in supporting the businesses that recognize and respect both the traditional process and the local farmers and aren't just in it for the bottom line. 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. The past few years have certainly left many folks with the desire to rid their homes of negative energy. White sage has become so gentrified and has lost its true meaning unless its blessed & used in a traditional way which Im 100% sure most non-natives dont have access to @lilnativeboy, How to Sustainably and Respectfully Use Palo Santo. 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? P264 -Wash hands thoroughly after handling. 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. When using medicinal plants, its important that the plant is used sustainably. Because of an increased demand, some businesses are illegally importing Palo Santo and sourcing it from healthy trees (which, btw, means it isnt even the authentic Palo Santo youre after). Protecting and Empowering Empaths Across the Universe. Palo santo is a sacred tree native to South America. Interestingly, these benefits are only found when a palo santo tree dies naturally and is allowed to decompose for five to eight years. No, of course not! If you find yourself wanting to burn herbs, ask yourself first if there are alternatives that you can use that dont encroach on Indigenous rituals or that harm the earth. Try to cut the top inch or so down from the tip then light it, then blow it out which produces a lot of smoke. Another factor at play is the ICUCN's ranking itself, which is based on global populations. This way youll end up with Palo Santo that has the spiritual properties you want to bring into your life and honors the rich history and the region it comes from. When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? The high resin content of palo santo wood is believed to have purifying properties when it's burned, hence why it was traditionally used to clear negative energy and purify spaces, people, and objects. Well-intentioned but ill-informed memes warn that palo santo is teetering on extinction. Ensure that your ritual is at least benefiting the farmers and harvesters who make it possible for you to have it, and that the actual benefit (therapeutic oils) are present in the wood. 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 . Begin with a clear, simple intention to clear the negative energy in your space and mind. Step out into the world knowing you attract good things and are connected to the divine. This is harmful, not only because it means something sacred has been turned into a commercial commodity, but also because a divide has been created between what the tree actually represents, versus the itemization of it (many have no idea that it is even a sacred Indigenous ritual, assuming its just the wellness trend du jour). Palo santo helps support the immune system and regulates inflammatory responses, such as those triggered by a poor diet, pollution, stress and illness. Look to your ancestral lands to learn more about the plant medicine that your grandmothers used, and pay attention to the plants that are trying to get your attention right now. Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. Our highest potential is cultivated by our innermost depths and our truest beliefs. Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level or add some to your shower or bath to beat a cold or flu. To try smudging with palo santo, which is intended to improve the energy in your environment, you can burn a small amount of the wood in your home. Its important to note that while the tree itself is not endangered, its habitat tropical dry forest is threatened. Plus most businesses jumping on the bandwagon are not getting the palo santo ethically. With information constantly at our fingertips (s/o to the internet), people are looking into alternative ways to wellness that dont rely on modern medicines quick fixes, says Matluck. When the moon is new, the wood produces a smaller quantity of light oil. Palo Santo is a precious wood, so you may not wish to burn it. For white sage, try contacting a. If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, here's what you need to know about burning white sage. The grounding aroma can help you prepare your mind and energy for meditation. Whether you doing smudging Palo Sando in an open window or closed window condition, you should not inhale the fumes that come from the bowel. Watch on Practice smudging by tying a handful of palo santo sticks together in a fire-safe bowl, then ignite gently in a closed-off room to burn for fifteen or so minutes. Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world., like putting a price on prayer you cant purchase holy water from a Catholic church, banned from practicing their religious beliefs, They are more than happy to be asked about their medicines, as it shows an interest in their practices, Connecting with your lineage and your ancestry. Palo Santo is used in rituals to cleanse and ward off negative energies (Palo Santo is related to frankincense, myrrh, and copal trees, three other powerful energy cleansers and protectors). The valuable fruit of theB. graveolenstree is a small black seed covered by a red pulp thats contained in a green capsule. 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? In Canada, there are Indigenous Friendship Centres in many cities across the country. Calling all natural-healing skeptics: Palo Santo might just make a believer out of you. If you can smell the scent within the wood, then you likely have real palo santo. respectful understanding of indigenous practices, these mantras from an Indigenous, third-generation medicine woman, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198031/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23285824, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16734569. It is so powerful that it has been a part of sacred rituals in its native region for centuries. P501 - Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant. Is palo santo better than sage? 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. Palo Santo, or Bursera Graveolens is a sacred tree prevalent in South America, with the biggest growth happening in Ecuador and Peru. Smudging refers to a specific cultural and spiritual practice, but smoke cleansing offers an alternative to smudging for folks who aren't Indigenous. 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. Since it expands consciousness and bolsters mental clarity and connections to the divine, this wood is ideal for meditation. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. In Spanish,. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Because [Palo Santo] is rather popular, you have to look into whether its been ethically sourced, he says. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Help! The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. The wood has also long been used therapeutically to soothe cold and flu symptoms, depression, emotional pain, and other ailments. So, while the trees are not directly in danger, their sought-after habitats might cause them to become casualties in the process, a devastating result for both the trees and the Indigenous folk who rely on them. P370 + P378 - In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or alcohol-resistant foam for extinction. Test the oil on your skin somewhere that is less sensitive, such as your forearm or foot, to make sure you dont have any allergic reaction or other side effects. You can either allow some of the wood to smolder in an incense bowl, or, if your meditation area is small or you find the dense smoke too heavy, try a Palo Santo incense or a Palo Santo & Rue incense. Smudging is cultural appropriation and disrespectful to Native and Indigenous communities. Palo Santo is a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with mouthwatering hints of citrus. Palo Santo sticks have been getting more popular as an alternative to sage, but buying this Central and South American tree bark used by Amazonian tribes can also be harmful, in similar ways to white sage. Researchers observed biological activities including antineoplastic, antitumor, antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions against cell mutations and tumor growth. 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. We never want to disrespect the . We must acknowledge historical wrongs and address their impacts on current systems. Instead, advocates say non-Native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted on your skin without a carrier oil, and keep them away from your eyes, inside your nose and mucus membranes, children and pets. Learn About Treatments and Diet Changes, How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids (4+ Natural Remedies), Create a natural bug spray by making this, What is palo santo? Aryelle Siclait is the editor at Women's Health where she writes and edits articles about relationships, sexual health, pop culture, and fashion for verticals across. This incense is used in aromatherapy because the wood smells so pleasant to the individual. This is one reasonpalo santo essential oil is considered a powerful supporter of mental and emotional clarity. Don't Closely Inhale the Palo Santo Fumes. When not being used for its smell, Palo Santo oil has become a go-to for its anti-inflammatory and stress-relief properties (one note: these pluses are based on anecdotal evidence, and Dr. Goldstein says there's no data proving they're legit). Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world. These tropical dry forests are hospitable to human activity (read: exploitation), and are therefore often subject to clear cutting for cattle ranches, which means Palo Santo trees often get caught in the logging process. If not, you're better off shopping elsewhere. The species is native to the tropical dry forests of Ecuador, Mexico and the Yucatn Peninsula in Peru. found along the coast of Southern California, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France, International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) list. Though thinking about energies and how they impact your overall wellness might not be part of your day-to-day right now, Erica Matluck, holistic coach and co-founder of .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Seven Senses, a practice for integrative medicine, says shes sensing a shift.

Hospital Alison Botha Injuries, Nepal Police Most Wanted List, Articles I