White sage grows naturally in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and is particularly found along the coast of Southern California and in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. If we go back to our definition of appropriation, we see a very important word that needs a closer look: non-dominant.When we appreciate an item, activity, or expression from a non-dominant culturesuch as burning palo santo, listening to reggae, or surfing Oahus north shorewe need to step more lightly. 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. 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. 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. Connecting with your lineage and your ancestry isnt just some woke way to side-step cultural appropriation, but it deeply aligns you with the medicine and healing power of the plants that your ancestors used and thrived on. When it burns, the aromatic wood releases lemon, mint, and pine notesan invigorating, grounding fragrance that is believed to have a number of benefits. 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. 4 [deleted] 2 yr. ago [removed] [deleted] 2 yr. ago We are all peruvian enough 7 Once this was brought to my attention, I removed sage bundles from the kits in my shop. 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. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? Apply a few drops on the chest at heart level or add some to your shower or bath to beat a cold or flu. 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. Palo Santo translates as "holy/sacred wood". Spirit of Palo Santo, clear away the bad things so that only good may come in. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. 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. National governments are responsible for regional conservation status, which means a species can be considered endangered in one country and not in another. But, hey, now that I know - I know I need to do better. 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. When it comes to something like white sage which North American Indigenous communities have been using for centuries, the appropriation of it is hurtful because these very communities were banned from practicing their religious beliefs for decades by white settlers and government bodies, who claimed their plant medicinal practices were evil and rooted in witchcraft. 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? Even if you couldn't put a name to it at the time, you've probably enjoyed the signature scent of palo santo at some point. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) It also brings livelihood to our partner communities who gather and steward it in their homelands. If the fragrance is not on the wood, you probably have lower quality palo santo or another wood entirely! In Canada, there are Indigenous Friendship Centres in many cities across the country. 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. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. These compounds showed remarkableinhibitory activity against human cancer and brosarcoma cells. It even has the power to attract sacredness and benevolence to a space, says Jonathan Hammond, shamanic practitioner, spiritual counselor, and author of The Shamans Mind. That's not entirely true. 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. 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. Distancing ourselves from the true meaning and depth that specific communities have been practicing for hundreds of years robs these sacred cultures of their revered traditions and the plant medicine that is integral to their well-being. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. practices that are only passed down through the people that descended from them most of these practices have limited amount of information, due to being protected by their people these religions come from thousands of years of people worshiping, connection, loving, and devoting themselves to Has the company physically traveled to the area in which the trees grow, and do they make regular visits? Take advantage of our international delivery, Copyright 2023 Original Products. Our highest potential is cultivated by our innermost depths and our truest beliefs. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Briefly put, Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). No, of course not! In other words, its important to leave the root, because thats how the plant grows back. Guides and shamans often burn palo santo to cleanse space before and during rituals. 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. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! 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). What is it, and how can you use it today? Palo santo is known to fight infections and viruses that can leave you with a cold or the flu. What Is Palo SantoAnd What Does It Do Exactly. Organic, 100 percent pure oils offer the most benefits and are the only kinds recommended for internal use to reduce inflammation. Im just worried now that my having them at all is cultural appropriation somehow?? 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To enjoy its energizing effects during yoga, we recommend lighting a piece of palo santo wood before you begin and allowing the smoke to gently fill the room. 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 is a medicinal tree that grows in exotic areas. 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. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. It is so powerful that it has been a part of sacred rituals in its native region for centuries. P403 + P235 - Store in well-ventilated place. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. Sustainably & Ethically Harvested Palo Santo Since 2008, Powered by Shopify Not only is this devastating for the forests, it renders the sticks purposeless, as the sacred resin hasnt had time to form. 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. Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. Today, palo santo oil may be applied to the body (such as at the base of the skull or on the spine) to increase relaxation, [12] similar to aromatherapy . Its wood is very aromatic -- it accumulates fragrant oil and resin in the wood fiber, which produces its distinctive scent. Try taking it as a dietary supplement for natural allergy relief (only recommended when using a therapeutic-grade oil) or inhale it from the bottle several times daily. Its great for calming the nervous system and torecover faster from illness, chronic fatigue syndrome or emotional pain. These tools only serve to amplify what is already present within us, yet consumerism wants us to believe that they are a necessity. 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. 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. And yet its also important to avoid flattening the lives and experiences of local peoples into a single static image. This light allows good things to enter, but no negativity or evil intentions can pass through. We understand how this can be a lucrative source of income for many small communities in South America, so ensuring youre actually supporting them, not the middlemen or distributors, is important. dry tropical forests have been decimated. P501 - Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant. 3. Colonialism and capitalism place importance on extraction and commodities, whereas Indigenous cultures uphold the gift economy, a true spiritual exchange between all living beings. Once youve successfully lit the stick, waft it around to distribute smoke through the room. Palo Santo, or Bursera Graveolens is a sacred tree prevalent in South America, with the biggest growth happening in Ecuador and Peru. But you need to be sure to be mindful of the sanctity of its traditional use and responsible about where you buy it. Similar toclary sageandcedarwood essential oils, palo santo has antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural cleansing agent. Palo santo (Bursera graveolens), also known as holy wood or wood of the saints,describes a group of trees that produce a powerful essential oil known for stimulating the immune system and fighting inflammation. Smudging sage was part of those banned religious practices. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion until 1978 in the U.S., and many were jailed and killed just for keeping our ways alive, including my great-great grandfather, Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer, tells Bustle. 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! When you are through, allow the smoldering end to burn out. The ritualistic burning (or smudging) of Palo Santo wood comes from the Incan belief that the smoke produced by Palo Santo has medicinal properties. Is it an appropriation of Japanese culture to learn karate? It also is thought to neutralize issues before they ever start. For starters, it's your answer to ~good~ vibes. Breathe the sacred fragrance, and allow it to enhance your meditation. Palo Santo is a mystical tree that grows on the coast of South America and it means "Holy Wood" in Spanish. Buying from small, indigenous-owned businesses over a huge corporation will help ensure you're getting true palo santo, instead of a synthetic substitute, while also directly supporting farmers and suppliers. 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 lengthy history of palo santo makes contemporary use tricky. This all sounds great, right? 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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. Palo santo oil has been found to contains cancer-fighting compounds that lower oxidative stress and protect cells. 5 PorkchopFunny 2 yr. ago Owning palo santo/burning it/sticking it up your butt/doing whatever with it is not a closed practice. It has been used (through the practice of smudging) to clear energy for thousands of years within indigenous cultures. Over 40 different types of palo santo trees are grown worldwide, mostly throughout Central and South America. Smudging is an easy and effective way to cleanse your home and yourself when done with love and care. Palo santo ( Bursera graveolens) is a tree that's native to Peru, Ecuador, and other South American countries. 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. 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. Keep cool. The practice of using the palo santo smoke to clear energy and call in good vibes is an Indigenous tradition called smudging. In reality though, not all medicine works for everyone. 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. The other species, Bursera graveolens, is also called palo santo but grows closer to the equator and isn't on the Red Listyet. If you have used herbs to cleanse your space in the past and enjoy the ritual, you don't have to give it up in order to do so in a culturally conscious way. The valuable fruit of theB. graveolenstree is a small black seed covered by a red pulp thats contained in a green capsule. Using palo santo in your home can be a beautiful, beneficial way to clear your space and calm the mind. 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. Please keep in mind I am only 13 so I know far from everything about witchcraft, and please advise me on this topic. Palo santo helps support the immune system and regulates inflammatory responses, such as those triggered by a poor diet, pollution, stress and illness. Just rubbing a few drops into the skin is believed to soothe the mind and ward off headaches and anxiety, too. The palo santo tree belongs to the same botanical family (Burseraceae) as frankincenseand myrrh trees, which also produce beneficialantioxidant-rich oilsthat are used around the world. Learn how to regulate your nervous system, Participate in a vibrational sound healing bath. Long story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. 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. Smudging is an ancient and sacred Indigenous ritual meant to purify and cleanse the soul and the spaces surrounding it (different than smoke cleansing). Shave off thin pieces of wood from your Palo Santo stick. But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? But before going out and grabbing a palo santo stick or essential oil, it's important to understand the history of this celebrated holy wood and how to use it in a respectful way. Families frequently burn it to ward off biting insects. They are more than happy to be asked about their medicines, as it shows an interest in their practices, and an appreciation for the tradition. She works primarily with palos (sticks), herbs, and flowers. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}How To Avoid Unexpected Health Bills. Follow your intuition; once you feel you have enough, extinguish the flame and begin your routine. 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. In the Global North, are other cultures expected to step aside and give space for white well-being, while giving up their own? Though once thought to be, Palo Santo is no longer on the endangered list. Were starting to turn to these more ancient practices from cultures that live closer to the land, she explains. Sage has long been used as an herb in Mediterranean cuisine, used for medicinal purposes, or grown ornamentally. and kick out of it (anger, frustration, generally bad juju), then start waving your burning Palo Santo around the corners of the room, says Hammond. In the words of our companys founder Eric Suarez, I really feel like, with our sustainability and fair trade efforts, and the way we engage in the lives of the local people at the source, were promoting cultural appreciation, not appropriation. "You can also recite a prayer to your deity or deities, invoke your guardian angels, or call on your spirit guides to help you drive away negative energy. 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. It's done by burning herbs like sage or wood or their resin. Detoxifier and Immune Enhancer. 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 offer free shipping in the USA on all domestic orders totaling more than $95, Let our in-house spiritualists dress and prepare your candles, and bless your amulets and talisman, Have any candle dressed, and even prayed over, lit, and set on our altar by our in-house spiritualists, Canada, The Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa, anywhere. .css-1iyvfzb .brand{text-transform:capitalize;}We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The thing is, most people ARENT using it correctly and/or do it for the aesthetic. Transparency is key here companies that are working on the ground, with the farmers and who are participating in true reciprocity are the only ones we should be supporting, if we must be using it at all. The wellness industry has stripped the deeply religious aspects of these plants and packaged them up for profit. While the wood and oil are said to have medicinal properties, it is best used to heal on the spiritual or vibrational plane. Either way, the tropical dry forest habitat of bursera graveoleon is suffering worldwide, so there is some reason for concern. Protecting and Empowering Empaths Across the Universe. I have since learned that Palo Santo is also considered a closed practice in the Latino Community. Instead of seeking fulfillment and spiritual connection through social media trends, try listening to your body (what plants or practices is it guiding you towards? The demand has become so great that many Chumash people (of what is now Southern California) are concerned that the plant is being overharvested. The white sage of the American Southwest is a common, fragrant shrub that has been. Sage, however, is not historically part of European witchcraft, from which many modern day witch practices stem. White sage has become particularly popular with those who practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals. Other beneficial compounds in smaller quantities include germacrene D, muurolene and pulegone. 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. The bags unmarked, and its more than clear that the runes are carved by hand (and cut by hand; they are far from uniform shapes). numerology, angels, angel numbers, guides, ancestors, guardian angels, manifestation. 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. And exposure to the particles released by burning wood can be irritating to the lungs. 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. 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. The two halves of the capsule fall off when the fruit is ripe, leaving behind the fruit thats rich in lipids (fats), which are then concentrated and used therapeutically. 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. While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. This way, youll be better prepared to establish harmonious office relationships and start spending comforting QT with your partner. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). When shes not stuck to her laptop, Jessica loves hanging out with her husband and four active kids, drinking really great lattes, and lifting weights. Note: this post has been updated as of June 9, 2021. The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. Since it expands consciousness and bolsters mental clarity and connections to the divine, this wood is ideal for meditation. This ones a biggie, Hammond warns. The practice of smudging, therefore, should not be taken lightly, according to Dr. Adrienne Keene, an assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation. It's scent is like the actor you've never noticed before, but then you watch him in one movie and you realize he's starring in everything. 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. Don't Closely Inhale the Palo Santo Fumes. This ceremony is performed using medicinal herbs and plants, such as white sage, tobacco, sweetgrass, cedar, and Palo Santo, and it is (often) done by gathering these sticks and herbs into a bundle which is then lit. Because theyre related and have similar emotionally stabilizing benefits, you can use palo santo as a substitute for more-popular frankincense oil ormyrrh oil. What plant medicines and herbs did your ancestors use? The wood is also used to communicate with the divine, heal on the physical and spiritual levels, and improve concentration and mental focus during meditation.Palo Santo is considered so holy, it must never be cut down. 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. The "closed practice" language is the emotive layer to make you stop asking questions, but it's not the actual issue; it's conservation. Due to the trees rich supply of antioxidants and phytochemicals, benefits of the oil include: fighting cancer, protecting against infections, relieving inflammation and muscular pains, and reducing anxiety by supporting a healthy nervous system. So, is the wood youve just added to your cart from a tree thats been prematurely chopped down? 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. This has caused some serious problems for those burning the sticks without knowing, as many have immediately caught rapid fire. In 2005, Peru had listed Palo Santo as endangered due to overharvesting. Here are some ways to get started using palo santo oil: Try using several drops of pure palo santo oil as a detoxification agent by combining it with hot water (not boiling) and drinking it as an herbal tea. But, hey, now that I know - I know I need to do better. As a general rule of thumb, here are some herbs and plants that are sacred to Indigenous communities and that should not be used for smudging, unless practiced with true intention and purchased in a way that supports Indigenous communities: For true reciprocity and cultural appreciation, think about how you can give back to Native peoples, instead of just attempting to take. Once put in a diffuser, its aroma acts as both an insect repellent and fragranceits even been bottled and sold as perfume. Its exploitative and amounts to silencing Native voices and erasing our cultural heritage, Hopkins says. Being responsible about sourcing your palo santo is another important consideration. That gives the oils in the wood enough time to fully mature before it is harvested and processed into sticks or essential oils. 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. This "Holy Wood" from South America has the power to purify living spaces, soothe frayed nerves, and delight the senses.

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