Palo santo has quickly become a mainstay and trendy product sought after for its stated spiritual and medicinal properties, as well as its fragrant scent. Literally meaning “holy wood” in Spanish it’s related to the same family of plants as frankincense and myrrh and its uses dates back hundreds of years.
Where Palo Santo Comes From
Palo santo, also known by its scientific name of Bursera graveolens, comes from a shrub or tree that is native to tropical dry forests in many South and Central American countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. Graveolens translates to “strong-smelling," a nod to the incense-like scent emitted when a branch is broken.
Sustainability is a concern since the tree is not considered endangered and rising popularity has led to concerns of deforestation as dry forest areas where the plant originates are threatened.
