Palo Santo Materia Medica

Palo santo is a member of the Burseraceae family (which also includes elemi, frankincense and myrrh). As the twigs of the tree are reminiscent of incense, the English common name for palo santo is “incense tree.”

Palo santo has as long a history of medicinal use as it does of sacred and ritual use. Its therapeutic actions include: analgesic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anticatarrhal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, cardiac tonic, decongestant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), sedative, sudorific (stimulates sweating).

Download this chapter to learn more about PALO SANTO— Bursera graveolens.