Palo Santo | Holy Wood | Bursera graveolens

Contents

2-4 sticks of Palo Santo wood (approx.24 grams)

Effects of Palo Santo

Palo Santo or Holy Wood is an aromatic wood known for its pleasant, warm, calming scent. Sweet-smelling Palo Santo is a mood lifter and can contribute to a peaceful atmosphere at home. Palo Santo is often used to cleanse rooms or houses, not unlike White Sage. In addition, it is a popular incense to use during meditation or other spiritual activities. Give Palo Santo a try during an Ayahuasca ritual.

Use of Palo Santo

Use a match or lighter to light up one end of the piece of Holy Wood. Remove the flame as soon as the core of the wood begins to glow. Blow out the flame. This will cause the wood to glow and fume. This should release the characteristic, pleasant scent of Holy Wood. Place the wood on a fireproofed tray or walk it around the room to spread the smell.

History

The scientific name for Palo Santo is Bursera graveolens. Palo Santo belongs to the family Burseraceae, just like other aromatic trees like Myrrh and Frankincense.

Palo Santo was originally found in Central and South America, from Mexico and Yucatan to Peru and Venezuela. The tree is also abundant on the Galapagos islands.

The medicinal and ritual traditions surrounding Palo Santo go back centuries. Many of the indigenous peoples inhabiting the lands where the Palo Santo tree is found consider its wood to be sacred. It was (and still is) used during various religious ceremonies and rituals, to ward off evil spirits or ‘bad energy’. Shamans also used Palo Santo during Ayahuasca ceremonies. For this reason, Spanish colonists and priests adopted the name Palo Santo, which literally means holy wood.