Bulnesia sarmientoi

Botanical

What is it

Bulnesia sarmientoi (Palo santo, holy wood) is a slow-growing South American tree. Its wood and resin are used to make essential oil (guaiacwood oil) and are listed in CITES due to overharvesting concerns.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Any clinical condition

Mixed Evidence

No controlled human trials support specific benefits. Traditional uses are not validated.

How it works

Guaiacwood oil contains guaiol and bulnesol (sesquiterpene alcohols) along with smaller fragrant compounds. Most use is topical or aromatic (perfumery, incense, traditional smudging). Some folk medicine traditions use the wood as a tea for digestive or inflammatory complaints, but human data are very limited. Note that 'palo santo' is also used to refer to Bursera graveolens, a different tree species commonly used for incense. The two species are not interchangeable.

Dosage

There is no established human supplemental dose. Traditional teas use small amounts of wood shavings. Concentrated essential oil is not intended for internal use.

When and how to take it

Not applicable for internal supplementation.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Guaiacwood essential oil

Primary commercial product, used in perfumery.

For aromatic or topical use; not for internal use.

Safety

Limited human safety data exist. Essential oils are not generally recommended for internal use without specialist supervision. Skin sensitization can occur with topical use. Conservation concerns are significant; ethically sourced wood is essential.

Who should be cautious

Avoid internal use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children. Avoid all internal essential oil use without specialist guidance.

Interactions

No well-characterized drug interactions. Essential oil constituents could theoretically affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, but specific data are lacking.

Frequently asked questions

Is palo santo the same plant as Bursera graveolens?⌄

No. 'Palo santo' is used for both Bulnesia sarmientoi (South American holy wood) and Bursera graveolens (Central/South American incense wood). They are different species with different chemistry.

Can I drink palo santo tea?⌄

Traditional use exists in some cultures, but modern controlled safety and benefit data are lacking. Avoid concentrated essential oil internally.

References

Bulnesia sarmientoi on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Bulnesia sarmientoi on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Bulnesia sarmientoi (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.