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  • Is Palo Santo really endangered?

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    Is Palo Santo really endangered?

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    Is Palo Santo really endangered?

  • Investigations concerning the PaloSanto tree.

    Investigations concerning the PaloSanto tree.

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Palo Santo Sustainability: Separating Fact from the fake news. Is Palo Santo really endangered?

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Posted on: 08/18/2019
 

It has come to our attention that there are growing concerns on social media about the sustainability of the Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens tree.

We would like to clarify that we only use Bursera Graveolens in our products, and not the Palo Santo Bulnesia Sarmientoi species.

However, we are aware that there has been an increase in the spread of misinformation, or #FakeNews, on social media about this topic.

It is important to ensure that any information shared is based on facts and reliable sources to prevent the spread of misinformation.

In this article, we aim to clarify misconceptions about the future of Palo Santo, a sacred wood with a sweet, woody, citrus aroma and a hint of mint, known for its natural medicinal properties.

Palo Santo is native to the dry-tropical forests of Ecuador, where the surrounding communities rely on its trade for their livelihood. If they cannot find buyers for the wood, they may be forced to cut down the trees in order to use the land for other purposes, such as farming or livestock.

This is a real threat to the sustainability of the Palo Santo tree, as demonstrated by the example of La Refineria del Pacifico, where around 1000 hectares of trees, including Palo Santo, were cut down for the development of a project that is now abandoned.

Contrary to what is being suggested on social media, the real danger to the Palo Santo tree is not over-harvesting, but rather a lack of value placed on the wood. When we do not value or use Palo Santo, it becomes vulnerable to being lost.

Therefore, it is important to support the sustainable trade of Palo Santo to ensure the preservation of this sacred and valuable resource.

Is palo santo sustainable?

The vision of EcuadorianHands (CEO Fabrizio Vera) is the sustainable use of this resource Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens. We focus on what we can control. For us this is an educational project, to involve the communities and to teach them not to cut the tree. A cut tree lacks the medicinal properties and aroma of Palo Santo, rendering it valueless.

VERY IMPORTANT: We only process naturally dead branches and trunks, without damaging the surrounding area or creating new paths. There is no harvesting of Palo Santo, only the collection (pick up) of naturally deceased wood. We believe in preserving the health and integrity of the ecosystem and the Palo Santo trees within it.

Have you considered that the Palo Santo we are using now is 50+ years old?

Do you like its aroma and medicinal properties Can you imagine what the dry-tropical forest was like at that time?

Now, can you imagine how would it be withing 30+ years? How the aroma and medicinal properties of Palo Santo would be?

It is for this reason that our work is integral: To restore several areas of the Dry-Tropical Forest of Manabi, returning to nature the resources provided, achieve the preservation of  the aroma and the medicinal benefits of this sacred wood.

  1. Annually and for 5 consecutive years we have been reforesting Palo Santo trees in our pilot project of 50 hectares. Moreover, for over 10 years we have been reforesting and donating plants to several institutions. 

  2. We have also involved then national government of Ecuador. We are currently waiting for them to declare this 50-hectare area as a "protective forest", to prevent logging, invasions and damages.

  3. We will locate permanent plots in our forest and will label the Palo Santo trees in order to conduct follow-up and thus be able to clarify several existing hypotheses about this sacred tree.

  4. We will plant 4000 Palo Santo trees more and other native species in December 2019 

  5. This pilot forest will be open to universities and communities to learn the experience, and mirror it in other areas of the dry-tropical forest of Manabi.

We are doing our part to contribute to the care of the environment and the preservation of this sacred wood, Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens.

Here are 2 tips so that you also contribute to the care of Palo Santo and enjoy it for a long time:

  1. Buy only from companies that have a program of sustainable management, ethical, friendly to the environment, with programs of reforestation. (If we or you do NOT buy cut-wood, NOBODY is going to cut it!)

  2. Not only use palosanto incense sticks, but Palo Santo Essential Oil and/or its derivative products (soaps, cosmetics, etc.). This way you know that the product came from trees that died naturally. You not only prevent cutting the Palo Santo, but you give your body the holistic medicinal properties (without the smoke when smudging), which are naturally found in this sacred wood. (Read How do I cleanse my soul from negativity?)

Is there a season of Palo Santo? Is there Palo Santo available all year-round?

One of EcuadorianHands' key strategic plans to build a sustainable growth model with social responsibility, is the efficient management of our resources.

One question that people often have about Palo Santo is whether there is a specific season for it. The answer is that there is not a specific season for Palo Santo.

To preserve the Palo Santo forests, we limit access to the forest during the winter months (Jan to May) to ensure natural regeneration, soil health, and fauna and flora conservation.

This means that we do not source Palo Santo logs during this period of time, and we work with the stocks supplied until the rains start.

We are committed to promoting sustainable forestry, encouraging circular economy, water conservation, waste reduction, reducing carbon footprint, promoting animal welfare, and investing in the communities where we have a presence.

It is a fact that we must protect our home called EARTH. It is in our hands to use their resources responsibly, and achieve sustainability for future generations. With love!

 
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Posted in: Environment, Reforestation Palo Santo Bursera Graveolens

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Comments

  • Atienden en USA?
    By: Norma On 03/05/2023
    Rating:
    5.0

    Podré encontrar sus productos en Amazon de USA?

    Replied by: Fabrizio Vera On 03/09/2023 Hola,
    Si hacemos envios gratis en USA. Ordena aqui
    https://ecuadorianhands.com/es/al-por-menor-163

    Slds,
    Fabrizio

  • Palitos y aceite
    By: Cutberto Orozco On 05/07/2022
    Rating:
    5.0

    Pueden enviar productos a México?

    Replied by: Fabrizio Vera On 05/08/2022 Hola, Si, nosotros hacemos envios a Mexico. Ordena en linea, gracias

  • Palo Santo
    By: Johanna On 02/27/2022
    Rating:
    5.0

    Me gustaría saber si hacen envíos internacionales, estoy en Colombia

    Replied by: Remote Support On 03/02/2022 Hola Johanna, si hacemos envios internacionales a Colombia. Puedes navegar en nuestro sitio WEB y seleccionar los articulos de su interes.

  • Para la persona imdicada
    By: Trinidad iris talavera On 06/21/2021
    Rating:
    5.0

    Si fijese que estoy buscamdo que me agan del palosamto unas bolitas redomdws com hueco wm el centroid de las bolitas y esa bolita tiene medida que ws 4 cwmtimwtros de amcho osea todo el redesor y por 1cemtimwtro de alto esa es la medida como podria que me dineran que lo lo temgo que comprar em forma de palo .luedo que vallan a un tornero para que le aga forma redondo deseo 1.000 mil unidades o 2 mil unidad solo me dise .le wstoy wscribiwmdo desde Aruba ??

    Replied by: Fabrizio Vera On 10/21/2021 aqui puedes ordenar perlas de 9mm (promedio)
    https://ecuadorianhands.com/es/abalorios-de-palo-santo-3292.html

    No podemos proporcionar otra medida.

    gracias

  • Averiguar precios y cantidades por litros
    By: Juan Carlos Pérez On 05/26/2021
    Rating:
    5.0

    Buenas por favor necesito averiguar si el producto lo venden por litros por que necesito enviar a un familiar a España.

    Replied by: Fabrizio Vera On 05/26/2021 Hola,

    Aqui puedes encontrar todas nuestras presentaciones y ordenar. SI hacemos envios a España. Utilizamos DHL.
    https://ecuadorianhands.com/es/aceite-esencial-de-palo-santo-122

    Slds,
    Fabrizio

  • Palo santo
    By: Michelle Threlkeld On 03/13/2021
    Rating:
    5.0

    Can this be planted in the United States to grow.

    Replied by: Fabrizio Vera On 05/26/2021 Do not know. Palosanto is of the dry forest of Ecuador, and Peru, as far as we are concerned.. We do not sell seeds.

  • For the love of Trees
    By: Chelsea On 08/04/2020
    Rating:
    5.0

    Is there any way I could purchase some Palo Santo seeds , as well as make a donation for your wonderful cause?
    I can not find a reliable, sustainable source on the internet anywhere. I found your cause through another website and am moved by your dedication and stewardship for the Earth.
    The Ginkgo tree is my favorite, and I’ve spent currency and energy in doin my part to keep it around. However, the Palo Santo tree has a special place in my heart. I will donate to your cause to reforest, but in a slightly selfish manner, I would love to plan some in a space suitable to their needs. I’ve been educated on harvesting, and that’s not what most interests me. My love for trees has deep roots ;) and Is be honored if I could cultivate a space for some to grow.

    Much Love,
    Your tree hugging and loving friend
    - Chelsea

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