Palo Santo: The Holy Wood of Cleansing and Calm

Palo Santo: The Holy Wood of Cleansing and Calm

Palo Santo, or “Holy Wood,” has a scent that speaks directly to the spirit. With its smoky-sweet aroma and ancient history rooted in South America, Palo Santo has become one of the most sought-after incense materials for cleansing energy, boosting mood, and reconnecting with the sacred.

In this chapter of our Sacred Scents series, we explore what Palo Santo is, how it’s used in incense, and why it continues to hold spiritual power today.

What Is Palo Santo?

Palo Santo comes from the Bursera graveolens tree, native to South America—particularly Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Venezuela. Its name means “holy wood” in Spanish, reflecting the reverence indigenous communities have for its aromatic smoke.

Unlike many woods, Palo Santo is only harvested after it has naturally fallen and aged for several years, allowing its essential oils to fully develop. This makes it both rare and spiritually significant.

Traditional and Spiritual Use

Palo Santo has been used for centuries in Indigenous and shamanic practices, particularly by the Quechua and Incan cultures. Shamans often burned it during ceremonies to:

  • Cleanse negative energy
  • Attract good fortune
  • Connect with spirits and ancestors
  • Ground and protect the physical body

Today, it's commonly used in modern spiritual rituals, yoga studios, and wellness practices for similar purposes.

Scent Profile

Palo Santo has a beautifully complex fragrance:

  • Warm and woody
  • Sweet and slightly citrusy
  • With hints of mint, pine, and spice

Its aroma is comforting yet uplifting—ideal for grounding rituals, stress relief, and spiritual focus.

Benefits of Burning Palo Santo Incense

Whether used in stick, cone, or resin form, Palo Santo incense provides benefits that reach beyond the physical:

1. Cleansing Energy and Space

Burning Palo Santo is believed to clear stagnant or negative energy from people, places, and objects—similar to sage, but with a gentler, sweeter scent.

Reference: McKenna, D. J. (2004). “Plant Hallucinogens and Shamanism.” In: Psychoactive Plants and the Consciousness Expansion.

2. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

Studies suggest that compounds in Palo Santo essential oil—like limonene—may help reduce anxiety and elevate mood when inhaled.

3. Enhances Focus and Meditation

The scent is known to improve concentration and deepen meditative states. It’s a favorite among yoga and breathwork practitioners.

How Palo Santo Is Used in Incense

Palo Santo appears in incense in several forms:

  • Ground wood or powder blended into incense sticks or cones
  • Essential oil added to resin or botanical blends
  • Raw sticks or chips burned directly like smudge bundles

At SomaScents, we feature Palo Santo in blends like:

Ritual Use of Palo Santo Incense

Use Palo Santo incense when:

  • Moving into a new home or space
  • Beginning meditation, prayer, or journaling
  • Clearing emotional heaviness or spiritual fatigue
  • Marking transitions, such as new moons or seasonal changes

Quick Ritual Tip: Light a Palo Santo incense stick or cone, walk slowly through your space in a clockwise direction, and speak your intentions aloud.

Final Thoughts

Palo Santo is more than just a scent—it’s a sacred experience. In its smoke, we find calm, clarity, and connection. Burn it with intention, and let it guide you toward deeper stillness and spiritual renewal.

Back to blog