Pottery and Palo Santo

My circulatory massage instructor gifted me a gorgeous ceramic bowl she threw and glazed. You can see it in the picture above. I made an aromatherapy roller ball she absolutely loved and she shared some of her awesome pottery with me.

I felt led to create a blend for her. Sometimes I feel that stirring -- like someone could really use a blend and get a sense of the intention and oils needed. Sometimes it's an aroma inhaler, sometimes a roll on. And people love and appreciate them.

This blend highlights palo santo (Bursera graveolens) or holy wood.

I like palo santo in blends for clearing negative energy and fostering focus. Palo santo is rich in d-limonene, like the citrus oils, but also contains a bit of the ether menthofuran as well as some α-terpineol (monoterpenol). Ethers can be antispasmodic and soothing. Limonene is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and supports the immune system, while α-terpineol contributes sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties to the oil.

Palo santo works well in blends for immune support, for soothing coughs, for respiratory support, and easing muscle aches. As its name "holy wood" implies it is used in meditation and spiritual practices. Like other members of the burseraceae family palo santo is useful for the respiratory system and for promoting wound healing.

I also added neroli (Citrus aurantium) one because it's lovely and two to promote balance and peace. Neroli, like lavender, contains calming linalool. Monoterpenols α-terpineol and geraniol also contribute to the soothing and immune supportive, anti-microbial effects. And neroli also contains d-limonene to create a component synergy with palo santo.

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) made its way into the blend as well. Like the previous essential oils it is also rich in d-limonene and supports the immune system and acts to help oils absorb more readily into the skin (penetration enhancer). Like neroli is a member of the rutaceae family and supports healthy digestion and is uplifting.

Lavender(Lavendula angustafolia) is the last oil in the blend and is a fantastic tonic for the body and soothing and nurturing on many levels. Lavender is also rich in linalool and linaly acetate. Both have sedative qualities and offer immune support.

You can add 10-12 drops of these oils to an ounce of carrier oil (2% dilution for adults) to create a supportive blend that can be put into a roller bottle and applied to the wrists, neck, or temples. You could also add these oils to an unscented lotion and use to soothe skin, as a chest rub, or to massage into achy muscles. I suggest you add a drop of each of the oils dropswise to your carrier, mix, and continue adding oils a drop at a time until you get to 10-12 and have an aroma you love.

Not everyone enjoys the aroma of palo santo but often when it is blended thoughtfully with other oils it balances them with a beautiful earthy, rich aroma. When using palo santo Robert Tisserand recommends using it at a maximal dermal concentration of 3.4% due to the menthofuran and pulegone content, which has hepatotoxic concerns.

For calming and clearing and for respiratory and immune support palo santo is a wonderful essential oil.

If you have questions about aromatherapy or essential oils contact Tricia. If you'd like to browse roller ball products visit the webstore or call, text, or email Tricia for more information.

Aromatic blessings,

Tricia