From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bursera graveolens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Burseraceae
Genus:	Bursera
Species:	B. graveolens
Binomial name
Bursera graveolens Triana & Planch.

Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as palo santo ("holy wood") is a tree that inhabits the South American Gran Chaco region (northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and the Brazilian Mato Grosso). It is also common on the coast of Ecuador. The tree belongs to the same family (Burseraceae) as frankincense and myrrh. It is widely used in folk medicine. Aged heartwood is rich in essential oils such as limonene and α-terpineol.

Modern Uses of Palo Santo

Palo Santo (or Palosanto) is used for crafting objects, to produce burning sticks; however, production of essential oil is attracting most of the modern interest. Chemical composition, as reflected by aroma, is variable.

The essential oil of Palosanto is generally termed "Palo Santo Oil," and has received the Chemical Abstract Services number, 959130-05-3. When used as an ingredient in cosmetics the INCI name "Bursera graveolens wood oil" should be listed.

Palo Santo Essential Oil

A quantitative analysis of steam distilled Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the major constituents to be:^[1]

• Limonene 58.6%
• α-Terpineol 10.9%
• Menthofuran 6.6%
• Carvone 2.0%
• Germacrene D 1.7%
• γ-Muurolene 1.2%
• trans-Carveol 1.1%
• Pulegone 1.1%

Ethnobotany

The use of Palosanto (or Palo Santo) from B. graveolens is reported to be traditional in South America, especially in Ecuador. According to the local customs, it is used against the "mala energia" (bad energy) ("Palo Santo para limpiar tu casa da la mala energia, Palo Santo para la buena suerte" or "Palo Santo to clean your house of bad energy, Palo Santo for good luck"), which may sometimes refer to clinical disease.

Three main uses have been reported:

1. Sahumerio: or by fumigation, also to preserve cattle from the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)

2. Agüita, or as a component of herbal medicinal teas, for respiratory, urinary, bowel ailments and to improve mood

3. External uses of the fresh juice or of the resin

References

External links

• A beautiful picture of Bursera graveolens plants on a hill