Why Should We Stop Using Palo Santo?

Many of us are familiar with the aroma of palo santo as it’s burned as an incense. It promises to clear a space of “bad energy,” and its uplifting scent is a natural draw for those seeking spiritual support, meditative guidance, or general healing and well-being.

But a growing concern about its conservation status is also a reason to rethink our usage of this aromatic wood that’s been cherished by indigenous and mestizo Latin American cultures for centuries. Memes abound that portray palo santo as just a couple of incense sticks away from extinction, while others claim that only 250 trees remain.

The wood of the bursera graveolens tree, or Palo Santo, has long been used by shamans and Native people for cleansing, purification, and protection. It also has an energizing and therapeutic effect on the body, especially when smudged or burned. Its calming, grounding effects can reduce anxiety and promote deep sleep.

It is also thought to be a natural stress reliever, as it has been shown to reduce irritability, tension and depression. It can even be applied topically to help alleviate pain and inflammation.

There is some evidence that the essential oil found in palo santo has properties that protect the body from disease and illness, including cancer. According to a recent study, triterpene lupeol compounds in palo santo have antitumor, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can fight lung, breast and colon tumors.

However, if you’re using palo santo for this purpose, it is important to use responsibly and ethically. This means choosing to purchase from a small, local company over a larger retailer that could be responsible for harvesting and transporting the plant illegally.

Buying from a small, indigenous-owned business will not only ensure that you’re getting the real deal, but it will also directly support the farmers who produce palo santo and the families who live along the supply chain. Moreover, choosing to support these small, independent businesses is a way to connect you to the people who work with these sacred plants and share in their history, culture and traditions.

In the case of palo santo, a lack of knowledge about its history and traditional uses can be a slippery slope for those who seek spiritual guidance without first learning more about these practices. This can lead to appropriation of these sacred plant traditions, which is against the spirit of palo santo.

While the use of palo santo for personal self-care is an excellent and empowering approach, it’s critical that we understand the context surrounding its traditional uses and how those ways of using the plant can impact local communities. It’s also necessary to be conscious of how the use of palo santo can be harmful to the forest and the communities that rely on it for survival, particularly in regions where it has been over-harvested for its essential oils and other products.

The most important thing to remember is that the conservation of any plant species should be an overarching concern for all users and that it is never okay to ignore the cultural, societal and economic impacts of our use of plants. When we do this, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype and forget that our actions have a far-reaching, global impact.