Palo Santo or "Holy Wood" is the wood of the wild Bursera Graveolens tree, which grows along the coasts of Central and South America in seasonally dry tropical forests. It belongs to the same family of trees as myrrh and frankincense. The tree grows up to 15 m in height. What sandalwood represents in India, Palo Santo represents in South America. The name Palo Santo in Spanish means "holy wood."
Palo Santo wood only develops its aroma with healing and mystical properties after the tree or a part of it dies and rests in its natural environment for 4 to 10 years. The tree typically lives for 80 to 90 years. It has been used for millennia by Inca shamans and healers in the Amazon region. In traditional medicine, it is used in the form of wood, resin, and oil. In recent years, its wonderful properties have carried it across the world as one of nature's greatest fragrant treasures.
Palo Santo is most commonly used as incense for clearing negative energies, similar to white sage, while simultaneously attracting creativity, love, and good fortune.
South American Indians and shamans have traditionally used it for centuries in their healing, spiritual, and esoteric ceremonies and rituals. It creates a pleasant, sweet-scented smoke with hints of mint and citrus, which helps repel mosquitoes and other insects. It is also said to drive away evil spirits and attract good ones. It is highly suitable for preparation for meditation, as its scent cleanses and raises vibrations, allowing for a deeper connection with the Source.
Holy wood is used for clearing energies in a space, during meditation, or as support for relaxation and creating a calm environment. Light one end of a piece of wood, let the flame take hold for a moment, then blow it out so that a gentle smoke is released. Using circular motions, you can guide the smoke around yourself, through the room, or around objects you wish to cleanse or charge with positive energy. Alternatively, you can place it on a fireproof base and let the fragrant smoke spread freely through the space. Use it as needed and according to your intuition: for daily grounding, a special ritual, or simply for a moment of self-connection. The rich aromatic scent evokes pleasant feelings. Enjoy the unique fragrance.
When finished, place the wooden stick in a fireproof metal, glass, or ceramic bowl to let it extinguish on its own, or blow on it to extend its smoldering. Always handle fire with care and respect.
In South America, Palo Santo is traditionally used to relieve common colds, flu symptoms, stress, asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression, inflammation, emotional pain, etc. It is also used to soothe agitation and tension.
Warm, finely sweet, rosy-woody.
Palo Santo sticks or resin can also be used in combination with other incenses. In this case, use incense charcoal briquettes.
It blends very well with the following incenses: cedar, myrrh, benzoin, black, gold and white copal, frankincense (Boswellia), sandalwood, vanilla, tonka beans, tolu, lavender...
The combination of Palo Santo and white sage is also popular – sage cleanses the space of negative energies, while Palo Santo fills the space with positive, serene energy. By combining different incenses, we can create a special aroma experience that supports our intention – whether it be meditation, relaxation, or energetic space clearing.
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