Palo Santo Products
In South America and particularly around the area of the Andes in Peru and Ecuador the Palo Santo tree has been highly revered for it’s spiritual, medicinal and cleansing properties. From a time before the Incas this tree has been an integral part of life for the South American people as an incense. Here at Indigo Herbs we are delighted to offer this sacred incense in the form of Palo Santo Stick Incense, Palo Santo Shredded Incense, Palo Santo Incense, Palo Santo Essential Oil, Palo Santo Hydrolat and Palo Santo Soap. Also known as "holy wood", Indigo Herbs Palo Santo has been traditionally gathered and not adulterated in any way.
The use of this tree was an essential part of ceremonies and rituals for the Incas and continues to be so for the Shamans of South America, and it is used as a prerequisite before any ritual or healing. It is thought to erase negativity and misfortune from both people and environments with its very special aroma. The legend related to this tree tells how a man called Cosokait falls in love with a young maiden but his feelings are not reciprocated. Cosokait falls tragically ill and even though he is at the point of death the young woman still will not see him. He promises that he’ll always be with the girl as protection and will never leave her being in her presence at every step. Eventually due to a high fever Cosokait dies but during the last phase of his life he constantly repeats the name of the girl he’s in love with. Due to his single minded devotion and virtue a tree sprouts directly where Cosokait is buried. The tree is Palo Santo and has all the sweet qualities and promises of protection that Cosokait promised to the young maiden.
This truly special tree cannot be just cut to be used for its alchemical properties. When Palo Santo is alive and growing the scent is totally devoid in the wood. In a life that usually lasts for around 80 years it is only when the tree has been dead for 4-10 years, and totally untouched where it has grown that the wood creates its special properties. If a branch is cut and dried it will not have any of the assets that makes Palo Santo exceptional. It is through the chemical changes, like a slow cure, that gives Palo Santo its spiritually beneficial merits, which transfer its transcendent qualities through th smoke. Palo Santo grows in the wild as well as being cultivated. It has a grey bark and can grow to a height of around 5-6 meters. Leaves are a mid-green and sprout opposite each other on spines with small white flowers sprouting from the same apex as the leaf spines.
