Try These 3 Low-Impact Exercise Circuits, I Cant Journal, So I Tried This New Alternative Method. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. While some argue that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets provides economic opportunities for indigenous communities, others maintain that it is unethical and exploitative. tree thousands of miles away was harvested? Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. I now see how that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? Wormwood (this is my go-to, since its so abundant where I live). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. I say do it. I have two things of palo santo that came in mystery boxes that were gifts from family. The rush to decode our DNA has awakened many of us to our own complex heritages. WebI know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. There is no wrong time. These practices keep us strong as we continue to deal with historical trauma., "That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? Personally, I think youre okay to use it considering ur situation. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth yoga, fitness, & nutrition courses, when you Waft the smoke with a turkey feather (optional). "Palo Santo has been culturally appropriated. Peruvian history is in many ways different from US history, so I returned once again to my Peruvian friend for guidance. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. It does not store any personal data. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. No, commercially packaged dried sage leaves do not spoil, but they will start to lose potency over time and not flavor food as intended the storage time shown is for best quality only. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Thats my two cents, at least. Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to "smudge" their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and To prevent this, choose a room with strong air ventilation and open doors or windows to burn your palo santo in. Given how high the stakes are, how much do you trust an online source to give you the straight scoop on how that Were I in your shoes, Id look for some way to use it that isnt smudging. It has been used by indigenous people for centuries for its spiritual and healing properties, and is believed to provide protection and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. It's also used to clear out negative The flames are then gently blown out and the smoke, which heals the mind, heart and body, is wafted over the person, either by hand or with an eagle feather. Like they get mad when their not included in everything? But the idea of smudging is distinctly indigenous to the Americas, Dr. Keene writes. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated :). Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Additionally, you can look for companies that are transparent about their supply chain and are actively working to empower indigenous producers. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. (You can also drink sage, another commonly burned object.). If youre not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling how to smudge will not make you qualified to do so. Why did Twenty One Pilots change their logo? And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. If the sage bundle was packed too tight when made, then the oxygen cant get in properly and the sage wont stay lit. Additional Questions. Is it disrespectful to burn sage? Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, is a type of tree native to South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Here are some signs and symptoms of negative energy: Theres no absolutely right or wrong way to smudge your home, you can create your own smudging ritual; it can be as simple or spiritual as youd like. The money from the sale of essential oil pays for reforestation. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but this appropriation is still harmful and the exploitation of smudge is only a part of a larger issue. There are a number of ways to do this, including buying from companies that source their wood sustainably and pay fair wages to indigenous producers. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. This creates local abundance. Palo Santo and Cultural Appropriation Grow Your Own Cleansing Herbs Since the time of the Incas, the fragrant palo santo tree has been harvested by shamans The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million-dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. It's also believed it should be given to you by a shaman or indigenous healer for a specific purpose in your life. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Ok noted. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? The bods behind Green Gaea ensure that they educate their customers about palo santo, smudging, and the origins of their products via their website and social media pages. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. I also dont want to use it out of respect of others. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. There are actually two trees called palo santo. Required fields are marked *. Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. See alsoGreen Your Practice: 39 Eco-Friendly Yoga Essentials, But my inquiry did spark a discussion among Yaksetig and her family, one that she hadnt yet had with her parents and grandparents. Just two months earlier, another 7,500 pounds had been intercepted, the wood hidden among bananas and lemons to disguise its distinctive scent. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. (Do the research yourself; dont burden othersparticularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, if youre whitewith your self-education. Press J to jump to the feed. Also, burning Palo Santo serves as a repellent for bugs and mosquitoes and is great for camping or traveling in bug-centric areas around the world. This sacred wood is used in rituals by both beginners and seasoned spiritual practitioners, and is overall such a blessing! Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? Or Copal for that Matter because its a Latin American Rezin. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, National Conference for Community and Justice, previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. In a 2018 essay published on her Native Appropriations bloga forum for discussing representations of Native peoplesshe penned a tremendously moving argument against non-indigenous use of smudging sticks. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. I love the smell of incense (Nag Champa specifically) but now I'm getting worried that I shouldn't be burning it as a white person. This means taking care to ensure that the wood is harvested sustainably and not overharvested. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. Its also used to clear out negative energy. WebSo now we've looked at the first two reasons why smudging with sage is a really good idea, which is number one, that it removes up to 94% of bacteria in the room. Up until two weeks ago, if you were one of the thousands of people each month to search online for a smudging tutorial, you might have landed on a Well+Good article titled How To Burn Sage in Your Home To Get Rid of Bad Vibes. However, after hearing from Native people about the harm inflicted by the article, we removed it from our websitethis story youre reading now was written to take its place. Is Palo Santo ethical? Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Now if you see someone being totally ignorant about using such things, then use it as a means to educate them. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The work to dismantle white supremacy is constant and ongoing, and so will be Well+Goods on this front. WebThis persecution at the hands of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Do dried sage leaves ever spoil? And number two, it neutralizes the energy in the room. Its best to think of it as sage CLEARS it out the bad and palo santo BRINGS back the good. He is one of only 3 government permitted Palo Santo Farms in Peru. Is smudging cultural appropriation? You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. As long as its for yourself, its fine! By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As for Palo Santo, the use of the herb at all is Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful Cultural appropriation has become an increasingly controversial topic in recent years, with many people questioning whether certain products or practices are ethically produced or marketed. Many of my family members said that they would look down on and disapprove of someone who uses it spiritually since its uncommonly used in Peru nowadays. For centuries, Palo Santo, which translated means holy wood, has been burned as an energy cleanser, says Matluck. WebIts not cultural appropriation. All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal. If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. Palo santo is not endangered. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? Use the oil to provide pain relief for arthritis and joint pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. After clearing and cleansing, extinguish your sage stick by gently pressing it into the abalone shell or a clay dish, glass bowl or ashtray. We never want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used. Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. The tree is becoming extinct.. It also means avoiding burning the wood indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to the release of harmful toxins. Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. That said, our individual histories often arent neatly packaged. For centuries, she writes, Natives were forced to practice their customssuch as burning white sagein secret, until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It also covers the overharvesting implications. Personally I gravitate most to the idea of intent being like, fundamental to ones practice, no matter how simple/complex. Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. So History of Burning Sage Burning Sage and New I remember asking when I bought them if they were ethically sourced (because I knew at the time the wood was endangered did not know about the burning of it being a closed practice, though), and the shopkeeper said yes. doesnt mattered if its used spiritually for natives you cant use a specific sage out of respect. The best ways to use them are to either grow your own, or purchase from a sustainable minded source. The sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of ethical considerations. Because these forests have such extreme dry seasons, they are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion if the mix of flora and fauna is compromised due to over-harvesting or clear-cutting. 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