Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens) also known as ‘Holy Wood’ is perfect for use with smudging and incense. Ethically sourced from South America, it is derived from naturally-fallen trees, which are renowned for producing a powerful essential oil.

Palo Santo is used for its purifying and cleansing anti-microbial properties and is known to support emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Lighting it can help to clear negative energy and reduce anxiety. With sweet notes of pine, mint and lemon, its unique aroma will leave you feeling calm and uplifted.

Palo Santo has been lit by Shamans during ceremonies and rituals for centuries. We particularly like to use Palo Santo during meditation practices, to alleviate feelings of stress and cleanse our space.

Directions for use:

Light your stick of Palo Santo. Hold at an angle pointing down toward to the flame. Allow it to burn for about 30 seconds or more and blow out. Move about your space to clear the energy.

Once you are done cleansing your space, if you still want to leave it burning place the embers-down side at an angle in a fireproof bowl keeping in view and away from children, pets and flammable items. You can leave it here to carry on incensing the room, whilst still in view, unless you wish to put it out.

How to put out your Palo Santo stick:

If you want to put out and extinguish your Palo Santo you need to starve the material of oxygen. You can place the ember-side down in your fireproof bowl and stub and grind it out. To help put it out faster, place a little sand in a shell or fireproof bowl and stub the ember-side of the stick out in the sand.

Once extinguished you can use the rest of the stick and relight it another day.

Is Your Palo Santo Endangered?

No, this is a case of mistaken identity. There are two different species referred to as Palo Santo. The species, Bulnesia sarmientoi, which grows in the Gran Chaco region of South America is threatened. It is characterised by a dark, mahogany-lookalike wood often used for its essential oils and in making furniture. Then there is the Palo Santo used in cleansing rituals which we have here at ARDERE, this species is called Bursera graveolens which is not endangered, it is characterised by a yellowish-tan sometimes streaked with darker shades of brown or grey.

Consistency:

Wood will naturally vary in colour, shape and potency.