Clearing the air
on Palo Santo

Banish bad vibes and bring good juju into my life? Where do I sign up?

The use of ancient cultural practices, plants and medicines in modern living is fast becoming mainstream. The burning of Palo Santo is one of the practices growing in popularity in wellness circles, and along with it questions about whether it is appropriate for those outside of a culture to make use of these sacred methods. But what is the fuss about Palo Santo anyway and can you use it responsibly? The answer is yes. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about this sacred wood.

The History of Palo Santo

Palo Santo comes from the Bursera Graveolens tree known in Spanish as Palo Santo meaning ‘holy wood’ that grows in the dry forests of South American countries like Peru and Ecuador. The tree belongs to the same family as frankincense and myrrh and is widely used by Indigenous Latin American cultures who have used its wood in traditional healing and spiritual ceremonies for centuries.

On burning, the aromatic wood releases sweet, woody, citrusy and minty notes—an invigorating, grounding fragrance that is believed to have a number of benefits.

Shamans and healers traditionally used the energising and healing properties of Palo Santo to purify air, dispel evil spirits, and cleanse negative energy. The wood has also long been used therapeutically to soothe cold and flu symptoms, depression, emotional pain, and other ailments. It’s said that the uplifting aroma of Palo Santo helps meditation and relaxation and that it both enhances creativity and brings good fortune.

How is Palo Santo made?

The journey from tree to the fragrant and powerful Palo Santo you enjoy takes lots of time and patience. For this majestic plant to generate the essential oil that creates the magical scent we know and love, the Bursera Graveolens tree must live a full and undisturbed life. The tree is left to die naturally which takes about 30 years, and then a further 2 to 4 years lying on the forest floor. Rushing the process by cutting down the tree means the result will lack the rich headiness of properly aged wood and harm a living tree. Responsibly sourced Palo Santo is only harvested from trees that have died naturally. Shop our responsibly sourced Palo Santo here.

Using Palo Santo respectfully

Taking the time to understand the origins of the product you are choosing and using it intentionally go a long way in the respectful use of Palo Santo. Here are some guidelines:

Understand and discover the history behind this ancient plant and its traditional uses
Buy responsibly and make sure the Palo Santo you use comes from a sustainable source
Choose true Palo Santo (harvested from trees that have aged and died naturally)
Use Palo Santo intentionally and mindfully