Bursera graveolens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bursera graveolens

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
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. It is related to the frankincense tree (genus Boswellia). It is widely used in folk medicine. Aged heartwood is rich in essential oils such as limonene and alpha-pinene.

[edit] 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 variabile.

Palo Santo from the National Park of Machalilla on the coast of Ecuador is exploited for this purpose by the local population through the Delta Tau Foundation [1]. It is reported to have distinguishing features and being produced only from dry trees that have naturally fallen to the ground.^{[citation needed]}

Research on different ecotypes of Palo Santo, including the one from Machalilla, is ongoing in Europe, where Palo Santo (Palosanto) is a not a registered trademark as they would have you believe as common words cannot be trademarked as per international law. Anyone has the right to use the words palo santo worldwide , and in Japan, on the properties and cosmetic/therapeutic efficacy of essential oils and extracts of this member of the Sapindales.

Some companies are currently selling products of this plant such as the Delta Tau Foundation of Ecuador, Lynpha Vitale of the Republic of San Marino.

The essential oil of Palosanto is generally termed "Palo Santo Oil" (the Machalilla oil appears to termed Machalilla Palo Santo Oil) and has received a Chemical Abstract Services number, 959130-05-3. The same oil, when used in cosmetics, should be termed, according to the INCI nomenclature, "Bursera graveolens wood oil".

[edit] 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:^{[citation needed]}

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

Palo Santo is also sold on the streets for Christmas.