How to Use Palo Santo
Palo santo (Bursera graveolens) is an aromatic wood from the dry forests of northern Peru and Ecuador. It belongs to the same plant family as frankincense and myrrh, and in Andean and coastal traditions it is burned to clear a space before a ritual, a meditation or simply to start the day. This guide explains how to light it, how to put it out and how to keep it so the aroma lasts.
What you need
- A palo santo stick.
- A match, a candle or a lighter.
- A fireproof dish: ceramic, stone, a shell on a bed of sand, or an incense burner.
How to light a palo santo stick
- Hold the stick at an angle of about 45 degrees, with the tip pointing down toward the flame.
- Let the flame touch the tip for 30 to 60 seconds, until the wood catches.
- Let it burn for a few seconds and then blow out the flame gently. The tip keeps glowing and releases a white, fragrant smoke.
- Move the stick slowly through the room or around the object you want to cleanse, with a window slightly open so the smoke can leave.
- If it goes out, light it again. Dense, resin-rich wood often needs two or three lightings.
How to put it out
Press the glowing tip against your fireproof dish or into sand until no smoke comes out. Never put it out with water: the wet wood takes days to dry and burns badly afterwards. One stick can be lit many times, so keep it for the next session.
Safety
- Never leave a lit stick unattended, and keep it away from curtains, paper and dry leaves.
- Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
- Ventilate the room. If someone in your home is sensitive to smoke, use the essential oil in a diffuser instead.
- Let the stick cool completely before storing it.
Other ways to enjoy palo santo
- Unlit: a few sticks in a drawer, a wardrobe or the car give off a soft aroma without smoke.
- Incense: palo santo incense sticks burn evenly for a longer time, and the blends with copal or myrrh add a deeper note.
- Essential oil: a few drops of palo santo essential oil in a diffuser fill a room without smoke. Do not apply it undiluted to the skin.
How to store palo santo
Keep the sticks in a dry place, away from direct sun and humidity, in a cloth or paper bag or a wooden box. Plastic traps moisture. Stored this way, the wood keeps its aroma for years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a palo santo stick last?
Each session uses only a few millimetres of wood, so one stick lasts many sessions, depending on its thickness and how long you let it burn.
Why doesn’t my stick stay lit?
Palo santo is a dense wood and does not burn like incense. Light it again and let the flame act a little longer. If the stick got damp, let it dry for a few days.
Where does your palo santo come from?
Our sticks come from the dry forests of Piura, in northern Peru, and are shipped from Peru. Read also our guide on palo santo ethics and practice.