Palo Santo (Guayaco) Essential Oil "Bulnesia sarmIentoi"

Palo Santo essential oil, also known as Guaiac essential oil, is extracted from the wood of the Bulnesia sarmientoi tree, which grows primarily in South America, including countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and especially Peru and Ecuador. Below, I present information about its origin, properties, uses and method of obtaining:

Origin: Palo Santo is a sacred tree for many indigenous cultures in South America, used in ceremonies and rituals due to its healing and spiritual properties. Its essential oil has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to relieve headaches, muscle pain, colds, flu, stress and anxiety, among other health problems.

Properties: Palo Santo essential oil contains numerous beneficial chemical compounds, including limonene, α-terpineol, menthofuran and carvone, among others. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, expectorant and sedative properties.

Uses: Palo Santo essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, including aromatherapy, massages, inhalations, and baths. Some of its most common uses are:

Pain Relief: Can be applied to the skin to relieve muscle pain and headaches.

Improved breathing: It can be inhaled to relieve nasal congestion and cough.

Stress reduction: It is believed to have a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system.

Insect repellent: can be used to keep away insects and mosquitoes.

Method of obtaining: Palo Santo essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the wood and branches of the tree. Its extraction requires a large amount of wood and branches, which makes the process expensive and, therefore, Palo Santo essential oil relatively expensive. It is important to ensure that the essential oil is produced sustainably and ethically, as excessive extraction of Palo Santo wood has led to its population decline and its inclusion on the endangered species list.

Botanical name: Bulnesia sarmIentoi

INCI: Bulnesia sarmIentoi Wood Oil

Family: Zygnophyllaceae

Part used: Bark

Main components: Bulnesol, Guaiol, β eudesmol

Cultivation: Conventional

CAS: 8016-23-7

EINECS: 289-632-8