Learn how to use Palo Santo for cleansing, energy clearing and relaxation
Palo Santo is used in spiritual practices across the globe and is said to hold the ability to cleanse, purify and raise vibrations to bring peace and clarity to its aromatic, woody and citrusy aromas.
If you’re freshly embarking into the realms of smoke cleansing and healing and are looking into the different options of incense, let us take you through everything you need to know about one of the most popular choices - Palo Santo.
What is Palo Santo?
Palo Santo, which means "holy wood" in Spanish, holds a special place in the hearts of indigenous communities in South America, particularly in countries like Peru and Ecuador. It is derived from the Bursera Graveolens tree and is considered a gift from Mother Nature. Its rich cultural heritage dates back to the Incas and beyond, where it was used in shamanic rituals, healing ceremonies, and daily life to ward off negative energies.
What are the benefits of Palo Santo?
Palo Santo is revered for its multifaceted spiritual and practical benefits. Here are some of its advantages:
- Purification and cleansing: Palo Santo is renowned for its ability to cleanse spaces of stagnant or negative energy. It acts as a natural energy purifier, making it an excellent tool for smudging and cleansing auras.
- Aiding meditation: The sweet and earthy aroma of burning Palo Santo helps create a tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal companion for meditation. It can enhance your focus, enabling you to delve deeper into your spiritual practice.
- Healing properties: Many people use Palo Santo to alleviate headaches, stress, and common cold symptoms. Its smoke is believed to have healing properties, both physically and spiritually.
- Connection to the divine: Palo Santo is considered a means to connect with the divine or the spiritual realm in many traditions. Its smoke is said to facilitate communication with higher powers and ancestors.
- Emotional balance: Palo Santo can promote well-being by reducing anxiety and stress. It is known to bring a sense of calm and inner peace.
Forms of Palo Santo
Palo Santo is available in a few different forms. So, if you’re not keen on burning but enjoy the aroma it emits, there are other ways to enjoy Palo Santo than the traditional method.
Wood: This is the most traditional form of Palo Santo and often comes available in sticks, chips or powder form. It typically comes directly from the tree and is 100% wood.
Resin: Palo Santo wood also produces a very potent and aromatic resin, which can be extracted and used independently. It can be used similarly to incense and should be burned using a heated charcoal disc in a resin burner.
Essential oil: Essential oils can also be derived from Palo Santo wood, which can be added to a diffuser or used on the skin. 5ml and 10ml
What can Palo Santo be used for?
- Cleansing your space: Move the Palo Santo stick around your space, focusing on corners, doorways, and areas where the energy feels heavy. State your intention for cleansing while doing this.
- Aura cleansing: Gently fan the smoke around your body, starting from your feet and moving upward. Envision any negativity or tension dissolving with the smoke.
- Meditation and spiritual connection: Hold a Palo Santo stick in your hand or place it on your altar during meditation. Allow the aroma to guide you deeper into your practice.
- Healing rituals: If you're using Palo Santo to heal, focus on discomfort and gently direct the smoke towards it. Repeat your healing intention as you do so.
- Daily affirmations: Create rituals by lighting Palo Santo and reciting affirmations that align with your spiritual goals, helping you to set your intention for the day.
How to use Palo Santo
Using Palo Santo is simple and easy to do, and although there are many forms, we will take you through how to use this incense's most traditional variation.
Step 1: Hold the Palo Santo upside down and light the end
Hold the Palo Santo in your dominant hand and tip it so the point furthest away from your hand is facing toward the floor at an outward-facing angle. Light the wood tip using a lighter or match stick until you see a small flame.
Note: You should always light incense over a flame-resistant surface to prevent accidental fires if dropped.
Step 3: Extinguish the flame after 1 minute
Depending on how strong of a smell you want, let the flame burn for 30-60 seconds, then blow it out to extinguish it and allow only embers to remain burning.
Step 4: Use the Palo Santo as desired
When the incense is extinguished, the embers produce that wonderful woody, minty aroma; it’s ready to use. Many people use Palo Santo as part of their spiritual practices or prayer routine; others use it to cleanse their space, for aroma therapy during yoga practice and meditation or simply because they enjoy the smell.
Important: If you want to leave Palo Santo burning, place it on a fireproof dish to avoid accidental fires and surface burns.
Step 5: Extinguish the Palo Santo in water
Unlike incense sticks, Palo Santo can burn for a few hours if left to its own devices. However, if you would like to prolong the life of your wood and save it to use another time, simply submerge the burning end into the water until the embers are fully extinguished and no more smoke is emitted.
Burning Palo Santo safely
As with any incense, oil burners or candles, care should always be taken to ensure they’re burned safely to avoid any injury, illness or accidental fires.
Burn Palo Santo in a well-ventilated space.
When burning Palo Santo, or any other incense, for 20-30 minutes, the smoke and scent can become extremely strong and overwhelming. To avoid this, burn Palo Santo in a well-ventilated room, opening windows or doors to help better circulate the air.
Keep Palo Santo sticks away from children, pets and flammable objects
When left to burn, ensure your sticks are kept out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental burns. As well as making sure they’re not left near any flammable objects in case they get knocked over accidentally.
Avoid burning Palo Santo if you have a respiratory condition
Although the scent of Palo Santo is pleasant, it is also extremely powerful and can often irritate respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies and breathing problems. If you suffer from any respiratory conditions, speak to a medical professional before you burn Palo Santo to ensure it will not worsen your condition.
Never leave Palo Santo burning unattended.
Even when placed in a fireproof dish, unattended Palo Santo sticks can start fires. If you’re leaving the room for long periods, extinguish the incense completely before you go to eliminate any potential fire hazards - you can always re-light it once you return.
Caring for your Palo Santo
- Sustainable sourcing: Always purchase Palo Santo from reputable, sustainable harvesting sources. Ensure it's sourced from naturally fallen or aged wood to protect the environment.
- Proper storage: Keep your Palo Santo sticks dry to maintain their aroma and potency.
- Respect and gratitude: Approach Palo Santo with respect and gratitude for its spiritual and healing properties. Acknowledge its significance in your practice.
Discover Palo Santo at Sacred Essence
Palo Santo is a powerful and versatile tool for spiritual practices, offering benefits for both the mind and the spirit. As you journey along your spiritual path, consider incorporating this sacred wood into your rituals and allow its gentle, fragrant smoke to guide you towards balance, healing, and connection with the divine.
Here at Sacred Essence, you’ll find various sustainably sourced Palo Santo Collection. Whether you’re looking for traditional wood to burn, resin to dabble in or Essential Oils to diffuse or wear on the body, you’ll find all you’re looking for in our selection.
Browse all incense at Sacred Essence.
Not sure if Palo Santo is the right choice for you? Why not check out the wider range of incense available here at Sacred Essence? Discover Californian white sage, nag champa, incense sticks & joss sticks and more to browse to find your perfect fit easily.
Visit our Coniston, Lake District shop – explore our products in a calm, relaxed space. Try Palo Santo, learn how to use it, and experience it for yourself.
