The Boundless Bounty: Palo Santo Uses, Benefits, and Origins

With the onset of a New Year, beginnings and opportunities are unfolding. As new doors open and others close, it helps to walk into the unknown with a clean slate. One way to make transitions painless and uncomplicated is with an energy cleanser known as palo santo.

Palo Santo 101

Palo santo, or "holy wood" in Spanish, is a sacred South American tree. Indigenous tribes have used it for millennia during sacred rituals and healing ceremonies to cleanse the air of negative energy or aid in the resolution of conflictual situations. Spiritual healers called curaderos use palo santo for clearing stagnant energy and creating a sacred space while completing healing rituals or for meditation.

When it burns, palo santo releases a citrusy, woody mint aroma. The pleasingly earthy scent makes a faithful companion for your spaces of meditation and reflection, its notes being grounding and relaxing. If this reminds you of smudging, or burning sage to allow the smoke to cleanse the energy of an area, you're on the right track. Burning palo santo employs similar methods with a similar purpose of resetting the aura and starting anew.

Palo santo's tradition is making a comeback in spiritual communities and for those of us conscious of our spiritual and mindful wellness. You may have smelt the citrus woody scent at any natural foods store, yoga studio, or even therapist's office. Palo santo lends itself perfectly to the resurgence of a purposeful road to well-being.

Like most unique products, the palo santo tree is precious and limited. In order to cultivate palo santo wood, the trees must be at least five years old before they can be harvested. Ideally, the palo santo tree will die of natural causes, and only fallen trees would be collected. The trees are usually harvested from the wild, although some are grown in plantations. The branches must be carefully collected and allowed to dry for several months before they can be used.

Why we chose Palo Santo candles

The serene fragrance generated from burning palo santo wood is captured perfectly in our hand-poured wood wick candles. The simplicity of lighting a candle and instantly creating a peaceful environment is wonderous and a romantic way to make a more exciting self-care routine. You can expect a calming release, slow flow of positivity, or welcomed mood boost when enjoying the mystical fragrance of our candles. Lighting a candle at the desk or dinner table is just another way to romanticize your life. 

Palo Santo Benefits

The benefits of palo santo are plenty, though its most popular use is to clear negative energy from a home.  

• Stress Relief

Palo santo releases a unique aroma that is said to be deeply calming, cleansing, and healing. The aroma helps to clear negative energy and promote relaxation. Burning palo santo is thought to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, boost creativity, and create a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. Additionally, the smoke is believed to be purifying and can help to protect against negative energy and "bad vibes."

• Cleanse the environment

The fragrant scent of palo santo smoke invoked peace, tranquility, and an overall sense of well-being. For centuries, spiritual guides and cultural leaders have used palo santo to reset a negative trajectory and cleanse a path toward positivity and light. On top of being a long-lasting delight to the senses, palo santo oil, sticks, and candles can help you manifest a fresh start. 

• Natural insect repellent

Palo santo oil is an effective natural insect repellent. The oil contains a compound called limonene, which is a natural insecticide. When applied to the skin, it creates a barrier that works to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects. It also has a pleasant scent that can help to mask the odors that attract bugs. The smoke creates an air of protection that bugs don’t like and will avoid.

• Physical healing

The wood's smoke is believed to have calming and therapeutic properties that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. The smoke is also thought to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which may help reduce pain and inflammation.

Palo santo has a few methods of use:

Palo Santo Candles

Combine the mystical fragrance of palo santo with the serene glow of a gentle flame that creates an instant karmic aura. If nothing else, gift yourself this simple pleasure to start the new year off fresh. Our palo santo candles are hand-poured with soy wax and delivered in luxury boxes for an all around sensory experience. 

Palo Santo Sticks

If one thing is certain, adopting new self-care behaviors and sticking to them takes time. When feeling overdrawn, rememeber...you can't pour from an empty cup. Palo santo sticks are the oldest and most traditional way to reap its benefits and begin cleansing your life. One strike of a match and you're on your way.

Palo Santo Essential Oil

An alternative practice is to use palo santo essential oils in a room spray or diffuser. These provide a consistent flow of tranquility to your home or workspace, contributing to lives better lived all around.