Palo santo is employed for
engraving work and for the making of durable wooden posts. From its wood, also, a type of oil known as
oil of guaiac (or
guayacol) is produced, to be used as an ingredient for soaps and
perfumes. Its
resin can be obtained by means of organic
solvents, and is employed to make
varnishes and dark paints. Palo santo wood has also been used in indigenous medicine in South America. In northwest Argentina, the
Criollo people burned the wood of Aura palo santo together with the leaves of
Ruta chalepensis. The resulting smoke was blown into the ears of patients with
otitis. Palo santo is appreciated for the
skin-healing properties of its essence and also because it provides good
charcoal and a high-quality timber. It ignites easily despite being so dense, and produces a fragrant smoke. Natives of the Chaco region employ the bark to treat
stomach problems. Small pieces of the wood are also used as a form of natural incense in spiritual rituals. infusion, served in a
maté /
guampa (traditional maté cup) carved from the wood of
B. sarmientoi. In it a metal
bombilla (
drinking straw), with which to suck up the infusion. American beer micro brewer
Dogfish Head regularly produces a beer called "Palo Santo Marron" that is aged in tanks made of palo santo wood. ==References==