Guaiacwood- Holy Wood
Two weeks ago was DoTERRA's Convention and they released many new products on the first day of convention. One of the most exciting new oils is called Guaiacwood. This oils is also known as Holy Wood or Palo Santo.
Holy wood and Palo Santo are common names the locals use in different parts of South America to actually describe two different species:
Bulnesia Sarmientoi - Guaiacwood
Bursera Graveolens- Palo Santo
These two trees are cousins, they are in the same genus, but are different species with very different chemical compositions. The common names and the confusion between the two species probably goes back to the 15th century, when Spanish explorers saw native people using guaiacwood in religious ceremony, and they named it Palo Santo, which means holy wood in spanish.
So what is the difference of these oil, and what do we do with Guaiacwood?
Palo Santo is a protected species that grows in Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador. Unfortunately, most Palo Santo in the marketplace is not ethically sourced. Although this is a highly sought after oil, doTERRA was not going to compromise on quality or sustainability. So for 5 years doTERRA has been working to bring guaiacwood to us.
Guaiacwood is ONLY found in the Chaco Forest in Paraguay. This is an extremely harsh and dense forest. Do to our co-impact sourcing practices & principals, these trees will be sources ethically & sustainably, plus we are helping preserve the chaco forest in Paraguay. Here is a wonderful DoTERRA Sourcing video that shares the story of Guaiacwood, and how we are producing a pure product, while changing lives and changing the future of a once at risk forest.
Guaiacwood is a crazy cool and unique wood.
It is an extremely dense wood
It literally will sink in water!!!
One log will burn all night long!!!!
The wood turns a beautiful blue color after it has been cut.
The blue color is from the essential oil
The chemical composition of Guaiacwood is primarily made of sesqueterpines, Guaiol & Bulnesol, which make this oil extremely calming, soothing, grounding and balancing. It has been used for centuries for meditation, in medicine and and religious ceremony. It has also been used for a long time in perfumery and skin care.
It is steam distilled from the heartwood. When distilled the end product is a semi solid product. This beautiful golden gel like substance is not a resin from the tree sap, it is from the essential oil. Our scientists then studied the best way to thin this out so we can use it easily. They discovered fractionated coconut oil bonded best with the chemical structure of guaiacwood. So when you look at a bottle of guaiacwood, this is why the ingredients include fractionated coconut oil, because otherwise we would have a weird gel like substance and not a liquid oil at all.
The Aroma- I am growing to love this oils unique aroma and the more creative blends I make, the more I love this oil.
It is woodsy, earthy, with a subtel sweetness and hints of a rose aroma. In all honesty when I first cracked the bottle open, I smelled a BBQ- like the wood we use to smoke meats on a BBQ.
How Do we Use It:
Diffusing- It is excellent to diffuse this oil for its calming and grounding effects. It creates a peaceful and tranquil environment that would be amazing to diffuse during yoga, prayer or meditation. It also is traditionally used for spiritual cleansing or purifying a space of negative energy. It is said to expel evil spirits and can help banish negative thinking.
Topically- Traditionally it was used in medicine to cleanse the body of illness. I would apply a few drops to the spine and feet to support the body. It can also be used to soothe minor skin irritations and support our skins natural hydration. The other day, after coming home from Salt Lake City's dry warm environment to New Englands cold fall weather, my skin felt like it wanted to fall off my body and it was very itchy and dry. I grabbed my guaiacwood and put a few drops in raw coconut oil with a drop of copaiba as well. In all honesty, seconds after application, my skin was so happy!!! All the irritation was gone, it felt calm and relaxed, soft and supple! I have never had such an immediate soothing occur when my skin felt like this. I was highly impressed.
Blending for diffusing:
I love to create blends and this oil will blend really well with florals like ylang ylang, neroli, chamomile, and rose. Citruses like bergomot or tangerine will be great to brighten the blend. It will blend beautifully with holy oils, like Frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood. Warming oils like clove or cinnamon and grounding oils like other trees and firs will also create amazing blends.
My new favorite blend is: 3 drops Guaiacwood A lovely Grounding Blend: 3 Guaiacwood
2 Ylang Ylang 3 Balance Blend
2 Clementine
2 Siberian Fir
I encourage you to order a bottle and start discovering how guaiacwood can support you and your body at home.
Share your new blends and let me know how you use it, what you are loving about it and more.
Click here to order your own bottle of Guaiacwood starting October first!
If you are not a customer yet, please contact me so I can help you find the best way to introduce oils to your life and to help you achieve your wellness goals. This is an amazing new oil that you will want in your world.
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