“Sorcery – what palo santo is traditionally associated with – is in vogue,” says Yana Wolfson, beverage director of the Mexican cafe in New York. ATLA. But what exactly is palo santo?
For years, Wolfson has been serving a cucumber-yuzu agua fresca, made with palo santo-infused water. Wolfson is one of many chefs and bartenders looking back to move forward by “sourcing and celebrating ingredients from the past,” palo santo being one of them. The wood is native to South America and Mexico and is prized for its antibacterial properties and inviting citrus-pine aroma. It was once burned during ancient ritual ceremonies in Ecuador and Peru.
“Palo Santo was burned by the Manteños, in the Manabí region of Ecuador,” explains Sacred wood essence founder Erik Suarez, referring to the country’s pre-Columbian civilization dating to circa 850 CE, one of the earliest known records of palo santo use. “There is evidence that it was burned in ceramic bowls, most likely during ceremonies or rituals.” According to Ecuadorian history, when the Spaniards arrived in the country around 1500, they discovered the tree’s numerous health benefits – including its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to treat respiratory conditions – and so they named it palo santo, which in turn Spanish translates to sacred wood.
Lately it has started to appear in beauty products; one of the first brands to embrace it was the natural hair care brand Rahua, whose founder Fabian Lliguin explains that as a barber of Inca descent, he has been familiar with the wood since childhood and appreciates the wood for its medicinal benefits and mysterious scent. Now palo santo is making its way onto restaurant and bar menus. To see how you can use this magical herb, below are the top four benefits of palo santo. Read on to see which one piques your interest the most.
Atlas’s cucumber-yuzu agua fresca made with palo santo-infused waterPhoto: courtesy of Atla
Palo Santo is known to ward off evil spirits.
The best known use of Palo Santo is spiritual. According to Sudha Nairnaturopath and wellness manager Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi Anthe belief that it can ward off evil spirits is rooted in the cultural and spiritual practices of many cultures, especially the indigenous South Americans. “It is believed that the smoke produced when palo santo is burned has the ability to remove negative energy and purify a space,” says Nair. “This cleansing effect is thought to dispel negative influences, including bad energies, creating a more positive and harmonious environment.”
Paula Benedi, integrative health expert and founder of Synergized, agrees, saying that burning wood as incense is the traditional practice; Releasing the purifying smoke dispels negative energy.
