Pain Relief
When it comes to pain relief, palo santo essential oil offers more than just reducing inflammation. This oil has the potential to enhance blood flow, leading to a decreased sensation of pain. The fragrant compounds found in the holy tree’s oil can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, as well as endorphins and enkephalins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers. If you’re dealing with a stress-related headache, you can benefit from diffusing a few drops of palo santo essential oil in water or applying it topically, mixed with a carrier oil, on your neck and temples.
Endangered Species or Mistaken Identity?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) made a declaration in December 2019 regarding the conservation status of bursera graveolens, stating that it is “of least concern.” However, it is important to note that a different species, bulnesia sarmientoi, also known as palo santo, is actually the one facing threats. This confusion may arise when people are researching this issue. It is essential to understand that the international status provided by the IUCN does not necessarily reflect regional assessments. While the IUCN assesses the global populations of a species, individual countries may have their own assessments and may list the plant as endangered in their respective areas. For example, Peru declared its palo santo as facing extinction in 2005.