Where Does Palo Santo Come From and What Is It Used For?

Palo Santo, often called “holy wood,” is a sacred tree native to South America known for its spiritual, medicinal, and aromatic uses. This article explores the origins of Palo Santo, its cultural significance, and the various ways it’s used today—from energy cleansing to pain relief. Learn the truth behind this powerful wood’s rising popularity.

Palo Santo, meaning “holy wood” in Spanish, has surged in popularity for its rich aroma and its claimed spiritual and healing properties. Closely related to frankincense and myrrh, this sacred wood has been used for centuries in Indigenous rituals across South America. Today, it’s a staple in wellness spaces, meditation practices, and natural healing routines.

Why Are So Many People Burning Palo Santo?

You’ve likely seen the curling smoke of Palo Santo in yoga studios, healing spaces, or on social media. But despite its recent boom in popularity, few people know where it truly comes from—or why it’s so deeply valued across cultures.

Used for centuries in South American rituals, Palo Santo is more than just a trendy incense. It’s a sacred wood with deep cultural roots, known for its supposed spiritual cleansing, natural healing, and aromatic properties.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Where Palo Santo comes from
• What it’s used for
• Why it’s spiritually significant
• Its health-related and therapeutic benefits
• How to use it responsibly and ethically

Where Does Palo Santo Come From?

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a tree native to the coastal dry forests of Ecuador, Peru, and northern parts of South America. Its name means “holy wood” in Spanish.

Key Facts:

• Only fallen or dead trees are legally harvested for spiritual use.
• The wood must naturally age for 4–10 years after falling to develop its distinctive scent and oil.
• It belongs to the same plant family as frankincense and myrrh.

Ethically sourced Palo Santo is collected in cooperation with local and Indigenous communities, supporting both conservation and traditional practices.

What Is Palo Santo Used For?

Palo Santo serves both spiritual and practical purposes. Here’s how it’s traditionally used—and how it’s gained modern popularity:

Spiritual and Ritual Use

• Energy cleansing (similar to sage smudging)
• Used in ceremonial prayer and shamanic rituals
• Believed to ward off negative energy and promote emotional balance

Medicinal and Healing Properties

• Acts as a natural insect repellent
• May reduce inflammation and pain due to its limonene content (a compound with anti-inflammatory effects)
• Used in teas or oils to treat colds, stress, and anxiety

Aromatherapy and Mindfulness

• Burned for its sweet, woody aroma
• Helps create a calming atmosphere for meditation and relaxation

Scientific Insight: Does It Really Work?

While traditional beliefs drive most of Palo Santo’s uses, modern science is starting to catch up.

Recent Studies Show:

• Limonene, a major compound in Palo Santo oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties.
• A 2023 review published in Journal of Herbal Medicine highlights the wood’s potential in aromatherapy and natural stress relief.

However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm its health effects beyond cultural practices.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

The demand for Palo Santo has skyrocketed, raising concerns about overharvesting and deforestation.

Here’s how to use it ethically:

• Buy from reputable, certified sustainable sources
• Look for brands working with Indigenous and local forest communities
• Avoid buying Palo Santo from unverified online sellers who may source it illegally

Supporting ethical harvesting helps preserve ancestral traditions and the forests that sustain them.

Benefits of Palo Santo at a Glance

✔️ Spiritual Benefits:

• Clears negative energy
• Enhances meditation and mindfulness
• Promotes inner peace

✔️ Health & Wellness Uses:

• Natural insect repellent
• Eases symptoms of stress and anxiety
• Soothes inflammation

FAQs

1. What tree does Palo Santo come from?
It comes from the Bursera graveolens tree native to South America.

2. Is it legal to buy and use Palo Santo?
Yes, when ethically and sustainably sourced. Illegal harvesting is harmful to ecosystems.

3. Can you use Palo Santo every day?
Yes, in small amounts. Overuse isn’t recommended due to limited supply and sustainability concerns.

4. How do you burn Palo Santo properly?
Light the stick, let it burn for 30 seconds, then blow out the flame. Let the smoke gently drift through your space.

5. What does Palo Santo smell like?
It has a sweet, woody, citrusy scent—often described as calming and grounding.

6. Is Palo Santo better than sage for cleansing?
Neither is “better”—both are used for spiritual cleansing, but each has different cultural origins and properties.

Conclusion

Palo Santo is much more than a trendy scent or spiritual tool—it’s a deeply rooted cultural symbol, offering both ritualistic and therapeutic value. Its traditional uses in energy healing, aromatherapy, and wellness practices are gaining recognition around the world.

But with that popularity comes responsibility. By choosing ethically sourced Palo Santo, we can honor its origins, protect its ecosystem, and respect the cultures that have used it for centuries.