Oil of guaiac is a fragrance used in soap. It comes from the Palo Santo tree. Oil of guaiac is produced through steam distillation of a mixture of wood and sawdust from Palo Santo. It is sometimes incorrectly called guaiac wood concrete. It is a yellow to greenish yellow semi-solid mass which melts around 40-50 ºC. Once melted, it can be cooled back to room temperature yet remain liquid for a long time. Oil of guaiac has a soft rose like odor, similar to the odor of Hybrid Tea roses or violets. Because of this similarity, it has sometimes been used as an adulterant for rose oil.

Guaiac Wood is a small tree that is also known as guayacan. Guaiac Wood is one of the hardest and most resilient woods in the world. This wood has been used by Native Americans since 16th century in treatment of severe ailments such as herpes and syphilis. This tradition is where from the local name for Guaiac Wood - Palo Santo or Tree of Life - originates from. Guaiac Wood is typically used for engraving work and for the making of durable wooden posts. Its heartwood is brown, black or green, with elegant streaks. It also provides high-quality charcoal and a good timber.

Guaiac Wood Essential Oil can help ease pain in the joints. For women it is helpful for vaginal dryness experienced in menopause, and can ease the pain of menstruation. Guaiac wood is found in aphrodisiac, hair, and skin blends. Can be used to extend or bulk up rose oil. It has a tea rose scent and is used to adulterate rose oil. Guaiacum or Guaiac produces a resin or gum with similar properties, but the tree is a different species and is not to be confused with Guaiac wood. The oil is semi-solid at room temperature and may need to be heated or warmed to liquefy. Used as a diagnosis reagent in blood test. Also used as a fixative in fragrances, a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics, and as a flavoring and antioxidant in food.

USES: Guaiac wood oil is extremely versatile, and can be employed for a variety of uses. Guaiac wood has outstanding anti-inflammatory properties, and is a popular treatment for arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. As a lymphatic or venous decongestant, Guaiac wood is considered to be effective in treating congestion in the pelvic region, due to premenstrual stress. Guaiac wood oil also has excellent antiseptic properties, which can be useful in treating acne and oily skin.

Beyond these medicinal properties, Guaiac wood is a popular ingredient and flavoring agent in frozen dairy desserts, beverages, and meat products. The oil is also a popular fragrance for perfumes, soaps, lotions, detergents, and creams.

Guaiac is a tree. The wood and sap are used to prepare medicinal extracts. Be careful not to confuse guaiac wood or guaiac resin with guaiac wood oil. People take guaiac wood for muscle and (joint pain) rheumatism, breathing problems, skin disorders and syphilis. It is also used for preventing gout.

Guaiac wood is used in mouthwashes to kill bacteria. In the laboratory, guaiac resin is used in tests for finding hidden blood urine and stool.

As a flavoring agent, guaiac wood is used in foods and in edible oils and fats. Rheumatism, Gout, Lung problems, Skin problems, Syphilis, Use in mouthwashes and other conditions, More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of guaiac wood or guaiac resin for these uses.

Guaiac wood and guaiac resin seem to be safe for most adults in the amounts found in foods and in small medicinal doses. Higher doses can cause some side effects including diarrhea and stomach and intestinal problems. Guaiac wood and guaiac resin can also cause skin rashes.

Not enough is known about the use of guaiac wood and guaiac resin during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.