Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens), meaning u201choly woodu201d in Spanish, is a tree native to the coastal regions of Peru, Ecuador and other parts of South America. It has traditionally been used in ceremonial and folk practices by Indigenous communities across the region for generations, historically connected with cleansing and blessing rituals.
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How Itu2019s Traditionally Used
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Traditionally, palo santo wood is only harvested from trees that have died naturally and fallen, then left to cure for several years before use u2014 a process believed to develop its aromatic oils. It is typically burned briefly, allowed to smolder, then extinguished and reused across multiple sessions.
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A Sourcing Concern Worth Knowing
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As global demand has grown, sustainability and ethical sourcing have become real concerns. Look for suppliers who are transparent about sourcing from naturally fallen wood and who support the communities where itu2019s harvested, rather than unregulated harvesting of living trees.
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How People Use It Today
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Many practitioners use palo santo the way others might use a candle or incense u2014 as a brief, sensory ritual marking the start of a meditation, workspace reset, or journaling session.
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Recommended for This Practice
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Look specifically for sustainably sourced palo santo sticks with clear sourcing information from the seller. Pair with a heatproof dish for safe burning. See our Practices guide hub for related rituals.
Continue Your Reading Path
If this guide was useful, these are natural next steps u2014 each one builds on a theme touched on above.
- How Incense Has Been Used Across Cultures
- An Introduction to Essential Oils in Spiritual Practice
- The Beginneru2019s Guide to Spiritual Practices
- Browse the full topic hub
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