Can you use Palo Santo?

If you are looking to cleanse your space of negative energy and invite positive, blessing energies into your space, then you have probably heard about Palo Santo. You may have also heard that Palo Santo is endangered - which is true, just not in the way you might think.

The Palo Santo we use for cleansing, smudging, and energy clearing is called Bursera graveolens in scientific terms. This "Holy Wood" is found in the dry forests of Ecuador and Peru, where the naturally fallen trees are turned into the Palo Santo sticks popular for aromatherapy.

The thing is, Palo Santo is really just an umbrella term that consists of many things including another species - Bulnesia Sarmiento that is commonly mistaken for Bursera graveolens(traded as palo santo). Because the two have been mistaken on viral social media posts, there has been an uproar of misinformation regarding the ethics of using Palo Santo.

Let's clear things up.

The sticks we use in spiritual practices are NOT endangered as they are the Bursera gravelons species. This is identified as "least concern" according to the most recent IUCN Red List assessment data (published Aug. 2019).

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However, the B. sarmiento species is listed on CITES Appendix, AND the IUCN Red List database as an endangered species. It is traded as "verawood" and has nothing to do with the Palo Santo we use today.

Now that we have cleared up the myth, let's discuss the importance of where you purchase your Palo Santo sticks.

Although the sticks we use are not endangered, the environment in which the tree resides is threatened. It is important that you educate yourself, have discernment when purchasing from companies that only throw around "ethically wildcrafted" or "sustainability source" when there is no conscious effort. The trend with spirituality has caused many companies to illegally sell palo santo for the bottom dollar with no regard for the environment nor supporting conscious business models within native communities.

At the end of the day, we cannot use Palo Santo to try and clear negativity if the very construction and distribution is overall negative.

Early on, when I was not educated at all - I used to get my palo santo from Walmart. Having experienced the aroma and quality of Palo Santo sticks that are of conscious origin I literally burn them every day and feel so much more connected to the effects.

By purchasing Palo Santo sticks from fair trade, sustainable, and truly ethically sourced origins - you support the conservation and reforestation of the trees. as well as the communities that trade them. And you get to experience the bliss of burning palo santo : )

The Palo Santo sticks from Earthamoon are never cut from trees that have not naturally fallen. A portion of the proceeds go to reforestation and conservation of the trees as well as supporting the economic development of the communities that trade them. Conscious origin and made from 111% love.

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