What is Pau Santo used for?

Extracted from the Bursera Graveolens tree, considered one of nature's most aromatic plants, the wood of the Pau Santo, or Palo Santo in Spanish, has been used for millennia by the Inca root peoples of Latin America.

Its incredible aroma has made it widely used as a natural incense and the chemical components, found in this plant, have several medicinal properties.

Understand, in this article, more about pau santo, what are its chemical components and the benefits of its use. See also the forms of use and its use can cause any harm.

Understanding Pau Santo better

With its distinctive and characteristic aroma, Pau Santo has gained popularity both for use as incense and as an essential oil in aromatherapy and therapeutic treatments. Learn more about the tree from which pau santo is extracted, how it is made and its history.

Tree

Measuring around 18 meters in height, Bursea Graveolens is native to Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and part of Mato Grosso. Its elongated crown is formed by small dark green leaves and its flowers are white with 5 petals. Flowering occurs from December to February and its fruits (small dry filaments that wrap the seeds) ripen in July.

The wood of the Bursea Graveolens is very hard and is used in the manufacture of parts that demand high resistance. It is from this wood that the guaiacol is extracted, an essential oil of strong aroma used in the manufacture of perfumes and also in medicinal use.

How it is done

The extraction of Pau Santo occurs after the tree dies, which makes the process sustainable and not aggressive to nature. To obtain a quality Pau Santo it is necessary to extract the wood from trunks that have already died and have remained 3 to 6 years healing in nature.

The essential oil is extracted from the wood and used in massages and other treatments that aromatherapy includes.

History

It is believed that the first use of Pau Santo was made by native South American civilizations from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and part of Brazil, who discovered this wood with its relaxing and soothing aroma and used it in religious ceremonies.

For the Incas, the smoke of the Pau Santo kept away bad spirits and negative energy. It was used to smoke the warriors before battles and for energetic cleansing of the tribes.

There are indications that the Pau Santo tree was also used by the Indian culture in wedding ceremonies and some people of that region still have the tradition that the newlywed couple should plant a tree of this to attract good energy.

Chemical constituents of Pau Santo

The relaxing and therapeutic characteristic of Pau Santo is related to the large amount of limonene, terpineol and menthofuran found in the plant. Check below what each of these substances provides to the human body and why they make this plant so special and sought after.

Limonene

Limonene is an organic chemical substance and is attributed to it, the characteristic aroma of citrus fruits, where it is found in large quantities.

The therapeutic properties of Limonene are numerous such as: antioxidant and anticancer action, improvement of blood fat levels, weight loss and a powerful antidepressant.

Over 60% Limonene is found in Pau Santo, either in its essential oil form or from the wood itself as incense. Limonene is also attributed the power to clean energetic environments and is considered a stimulant and efficient anxiety reducer.

Terpineol

Known for its antibacterial power, Terpineol is widely used in treatments against acne and other skin infections.

This substance also fights fungi and viruses in addition to increasing immunity by strengthening white blood cells. Another therapeutic property of Terpineol is the ability to inhibit inflammatory processes in the human body.

In its incense form it is capable of bringing balance to the mind as well as being a tonic that increases vitality and energy.

Menthofuran

Menthofuran, the last substance found in larger quantities in Pau Santo, is a powerful decongestant and is also used as an antiviral. Its use is also related to improving focus and concentration, aiding in greater clarity of thought and decision making.

Benefits of Pau Santo

The benefits of Pau Santo are numerous, as it is used for energy cleansing, stress relief and also as a natural insect repellent. See below for more details about these benefits, as well as the use of Pau Santo as an aphrodisiac and antidepressant.

Energetic cleaning

It is believed that the Pau Santo has the ability to sanitize the energies of the environment and the aura of the individual. For energetic cleansing, the Pau Santo should be used in its incense form, that is, burning one of the tips of a splinter of its wood. Because it burns slowly, you must continue to put fire in the wood keeping it burning for about 30 seconds before extinguishing.

Once you release the wood smoke, walk around the room you wish to purify taking the smoke to all corners of the room. Keep positive thoughts and mentalize good wishes. To purify yourself repeat the burning process and spread the smoke from head to toe, standing upright during the process.

If the smoke runs out during the purification, repeat the burning process and continue to spread the smoke. When the purification is complete, place the Pau Santo in a metal bowl and allow the ember to burn out naturally.

Relieves stress

For having large quantities of Limonene, Terpineol and Merthofuran, Pau Santo has a great anti-stress power. Such substances are known to help increase mental focus having antidepressant and relaxing properties.

The use of Pau Santo to combat stress has proven effective both in its use in the form of essential oil and as incense by burning the wood chips.

Natural Repellent

Both in the form of incense and essential oil, the Pau Santo is an excellent natural repellent. This is due to the concentration of more than 60% of Limonene in the composition of its essential oil. This substance has proven effective against insects and is even used in the manufacture of repellents on an industrial scale.

Aphrodisiac

Presented in the form of essential oil or incense, Pau Santo has the power to reduce tension between couples. When used in intimate moments it is a powerful auxiliary to increase the libido through relaxation and the invigorating sensation that its aroma provides to the environment.

In addition, the Pau Santo is able to dissipate dense energies that can hinder the interaction of the couple at the time of sex.

Antidepressant

The peculiar aroma of Pau Santo is in itself a great helper for the improvement of the physical and mental well-being. Moreover, the combination of Limonene, Terpineol and Merthofuran acts amazingly against the physical and mental symptoms that depression brings. This is due to the properties found in these 3 substances that make Pau Santo so special and effective.

It is also worth mentioning that in many cases the depressive processes originate from energetic imbalances in environments and in the aura of the individual. Thus, when used as an energetic purifier, Pau Santo can be a great ally in combating the causes of various types of depression.

How to use Pau Santo

The use of Pau Santo can be in the form of incense or through its essential oil. The most popular form of its use is directly burning the wood chips. Because it is totally natural, the wood burns slowly.

One should burn one of the tips of the Pau Santo splinter until an ember is formed, and then it is necessary to put out the fire, which will result in a thick and aromatic smoke. It is recommended to spread this smoke throughout the environment always trying to mentalize positive thoughts. The dense or negative energies will dissipate and the aroma of Pau Santo will flood the environment for several hours.

As for the use in the form of essential oil, you should seek a quality product whose extraction has been done correctly. It is important to remember that the quality of essential oils is directly related to their form of extraction, so seek to acquire a product with quality certification.

The benefits of using Pau Santo essential oil are diverse and range from relief from respiratory problems in the form of inhalation to use in sitz baths to treat or prevent urinary tract infections.

Can Pau Santo do harm?

In general, the use of Pau Santo does not bring any harm to the individual, however some care should be taken. If you have respiratory problems, avoid the use of Pau Santo in the form of incense or inhalation, and opt for use in the form of essential oil.

Check that no allergic reaction occurs and always be careful to look for products of good provenance, even if it means paying a slightly higher price for the product.

When using Pau Santo always keep in mind that this true miracle in the form of wood, is used for millennia and by people of rich spiritual culture as the Incas.

Whether to relieve physical pain, as a repellent, aphrodisiac or for energy cleansing, there is in this miraculous wood one of nature's great gifts to humanity.