Whether you use Palo Santo regularly or maybe this is the first you are hearing of it, chances are you have been exposed to the woody-piney-citrusy, scent before. With growing popularity through recent years, Palo Santo is now found in candles, hair products, soaps, various body oils, and even surf wax. If sourced responsibly and used with respect, Palo Santo has the power to bring much healing and peace into your life.
Origins
Palo Santo grows throughout Peru, Ecuador, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Spanish monks were the first to name the tree Palo Santo which means "holy wood" or "the wood of the saints". Healers and Shamans believe that plants have spirits and that this spirit alone can act as a strong medicine. The spirit of the Palo Santo tree is believed to carry this wisdom that enables the wood to heal people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In order for the healing to take place, the spirit must remain respected. Because of this belief, the Palo Santo tree is not allowed to be cut down, but it must die and fall naturally. If this is the case, the spirit remains in the dead tree and the wood and oil is not meant to be harvested until 3 years after the tree has fallen. A Palo Santo tree that rests on the forest floor for 3 years or more, yields more oil, has a stronger aroma, and develops more power than a tree that is cut down or does not wait the entire 3 years to be harvested.
Sustainability Concerns
There is much controversy over the sustainability of the Palo Santo tree. Due to the growing demand of Palo Santo, and the time it takes to harvest one tree, it has become evident that not all Palo Santo is harvested in a sustainable way that secures the true power of the Palo Santo spirit. Before you purchase any product that contains Palo Santo, make sure you are educated about the source. Sexy Ass Beauty researched and made the decision to purchase Palo Santo wood from One Love Holistics.
Palo Santo Spirit
If respected, the spirit of the Palo Santo tree has the ability to purify and attract positive energy. It clears negative thoughts, cleanses the spaces and the people it comes in contact with, and mentally increases the ability for people to concentrate, which is why it is regularly used in meditation practices. Palo Santo has also been used throughout the Amazon to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, asthma, headaches, stress, and anxiety. In Ecuador, Palo Santo is regularly used as a natural insect repellent.
Research has been able to prove the claims of Palo Santo to be true. Palo Santo oil contains limonene and a-terpineol terpenes. Both of these are strong anti-inflammatory elements that aid in the regulation of the immune system and act as antioxidants effective for fighting free radicals, relieve stress, reduce headaches, and other minor pains and aches. The scent is a brain stimulant responsible for a relaxation response of the body, an increase in blood circulation, mental clarity, and therefore a sense of peace.
Sexy Ass & Palo Santo
Palo Santo is found in several Sexy Ass products due to my belief in the healing powers of the wood.
I use Naturally Nourished Aura- Peace and Spicy & Spiritual daily, normally during yoga and meditation practices, and occasionally when I start experiencing negative or unclear thoughts.
Sexy Ass- No Biting is the only form of bug spray that I now use. Not only does it smell amazing, but it truly works!
My 6 year old nephew is currently participating in online kindergarten, and we use Naturally Nourished Aura- Concentration and Sexy Ass Single- Palo Santo quite often throughout the week.