What Is Palo Santo and How to Use It Right?

Palo Santo has become pretty popular lately, especially among people looking for natural ways to relax or refresh their space. You might have seen it in wellness shops, yoga studios, or even at home goods stores. It’s most often burned like incense, and some people use the oil, too.

Many believe Palo Santo helps clear out bad energy, supports meditation, or just makes a room feel calm. But beyond the nice scent, there’s more to know, like how to use it the right way and why it’s important to choose ethically sourced wood.

Palo Santo

What Is Palo Santo?

Palo Santo means “holy wood” in Spanish. It comes from the Bursera graveolens tree, which grows in places like Ecuador and Peru. It’s related to other fragrant trees like frankincense and myrrh.

Indigenous communities in South America have used it for hundreds of years in spiritual ceremonies, healing rituals, and everyday cleansing. When burned, Palo Santo gives off a woodsy, citrusy scent with a hint of pine. The smell becomes stronger when it’s lit.

Different Forms of Palo Santo

Palo Santo isn’t just sold as wood sticks. You’ll find a few different forms depending on how you want to use it:

  • Wood sticks – The most common. These are small, dry pieces you light and wave through the air.
  • Incense sticks – Hand-rolled using ground Palo Santo wood, resin, and natural binders, usually burned like regular incense.
  • Resin – A thick, sticky substance from the tree, burned on charcoal in special burners.
  • Essential oil – Distilled from the wood or fruit. Used in diffusers or sometimes applied to the skin (with care).

What Is It Used For?

People use Palo Santo in different ways. Some do it for spiritual reasons, and others just enjoy the scent. Here are the most common uses:

  • Cleansing spaces – It’s often used to “clear out” bad or heavy energy. Some do this after an argument or when moving into a new home.
  • Relaxation – The smell is known to be calming, so it’s popular during meditation, yoga, or winding down in the evening.
  • Bug repellent – Palo Santo contains limonene, a natural compound that may help keep away mosquitoes and other bugs.
  • Traditional healing – Some use it to ease minor aches like headaches or joint pain, although there’s not much scientific proof.

How to Burn Palo Santo Sticks

If you’re using a stick for the first time, here’s how to do it:

  1. Light the end of the stick with a candle or lighter.
  2. Hold it at a downward angle so the flame can catch.
  3. Let it burn for about 15 to 30 seconds.
  4. Blow it out. The smoke should keep going for about a minute.
  5. Wave the smoke gently through the air, or place the stick in a fireproof bowl.

You can reuse the same stick many times. Just store it in a dry place after each use. And as with anything you burn, never leave it unattended.

Using Palo Santo Oil or Resin

If smoke isn’t your thing, Palo Santo oil might be a better option. You can:

  • Add a few drops to a diffuser to scent a room
  • Mix with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) and rub on your wrists or temples for a calming effect

The resin offers a Palo Santo intense experience. When placed on a hot charcoal disc, it produces thicker smoke and a deep, long-lasting aroma.

If you have asthma or breathing issues, oil is likely the safer choice over smoke.

Palo Santo Oil

Is It Really Safe and Effective?

The main active compound in Palo Santo is limonene, which is also found in citrus peels. Limonene has been shown to help with stress and work as a natural bug repellent, but most studies have been done on animals or in labs, not people.

So while many people say Palo Santo helps them feel more relaxed or focused, these benefits are mostly anecdotal, meaning based on personal experience, not hard science.

Some things to keep in mind:

  • Burn it in a well-ventilated room
  • Don’t use around babies or during pregnancy
  • Never apply essential oil directly to your skin without diluting it
  • Always stay close when something is burning

Used carefully, Palo Santo is considered safe for most people.

How to Tell If It’s Ethically Sourced

Not all Palo Santo products are created the same. Because of high demand, some sellers overharvest the trees or cut down living ones, which harms the forest.

The good news is that Bursera graveolens is not endangered, but that doesn’t mean all harvesting is done responsibly.

Here’s what to look for:

  • SERFOR certification (from Peru) – This confirms the wood comes from trees that fell naturally and aged before being collected.
  • Clear sourcing info – Brands should say where the wood comes from and how it’s harvested.
  • No live tree cutting – Good suppliers never cut down healthy trees just to sell sticks.

Choosing ethical products helps protect forests and respects the traditions of the communities that have used Palo Santo for generations.

Where to Buy Palo Santo in Canada

If you’re in Canada, you have a few reliable options for buying real, ethically sourced Palo Santo:

  • Bursera.ca – Offers SERFOR-certified sticks and incense. Clear sourcing.
  • Bathorium – Sells hand-rolled incense made with Palo Santo wood and resin.
  • SlowlySlowly.ca – Small-batch sellers with minimal packaging.
  • AyurvedaShop.ca – Stocks Palo Santo wood, holders, and accessories.
  • ARTTA Trading – Imports wood from Ecuador and focuses on responsible sourcing.

If you’re shopping online, read the product descriptions carefully. If a seller doesn’t mention how the wood was harvested or where it’s from, that’s a red flag.

Meaningful Ritual, When Used Right

Palo Santo is more than just a trendy scent – it’s a tool with deep roots in Indigenous tradition. Whether you prefer a light burn from sticks or a Palo Santo intense moment with resin or oil, it works best when used mindfully and with purpose. Just remember to burn it safely, use it with purpose, and support ethical brands that protect the forests and the communities connected to this sacred wood. If you’re going to include Palo Santo in your routine, it’s worth doing it the right way.