Bursera Graveolens - Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany

The use of Palo Santo from B. graveolens is 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 de 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. Its use reportedly dates back to the Inca era. Palo Santo is common today as a type of incense.

Three main uses have been reported:

• Sahumerio: or by fumigation, also to preserve cattle from the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)
• Agüita, or as a component of herbal medicinal teas, for respiratory, urinary, bowel ailments and to improve mood
• External uses of the fresh juice or of the resin

The aromatic wood of palo santo has also been used in South America to make barrels for ageing wine, and one American craft brewer uses Paraguayan palo santo wood to make a "giant tun" for ageing one line of beer ("Palo Santo Marron").