What Is Palo Santo? Origin, Aroma and Traditional Uses
Palo santo means «holy wood» in Spanish. It is the name given to Bursera graveolens, an aromatic tree of the dry tropical forests that run along the Pacific coast of South America, from Ecuador to northern Peru. Its wood has a sweet, resinous aroma with notes of citrus and mint, and for centuries it has been burned in Andean and coastal traditions to clear a space, to open a ceremony or simply to make a home smell good.
Where palo santo grows
Palo santo grows in seasonally dry forests: long months without rain, followed by a short wet season. In Peru it is found mainly in the dry forests of Piura and Tumbes, in the far north of the country. It belongs to the Burseraceae family, the same family as frankincense and myrrh, which explains the resinous character of its aroma.
Why palo santo smells the way it does
The aroma comes from the essential oil and resin stored in the wood. Traditionally, the most fragrant palo santo is wood from trees that died naturally and rested for some years in the forest, which is why good sticks smell sweet even before you light them. Its essential oil, distilled with steam, is rich in limonene, the same compound that gives citrus peel its scent.
How palo santo is used
- Sticks: the wood is lit for a few seconds and the flame is blown out, so the glowing tip releases a fragrant smoke. See how to use palo santo step by step.
- Incense and cones: ground palo santo, sometimes blended with copal, myrrh or other aromas, burns evenly for a longer time.
- Essential oil: the same aroma without smoke, in a diffuser, or diluted in a carrier oil for massage.
- Carved pieces: bracelets, pendants and small objects that keep a soft scent.
Palo santo in Andean and coastal tradition
In northern Peru and Ecuador, palo santo smoke is part of cleansing rituals: it is passed around a room, a person or an object before a ceremony, a meditation or a new beginning. It is also offered on the Andean mesa and used to welcome visitors. Today many people use it in the same spirit, as a calm moment at the start or the end of the day.
Bursera graveolens is not the palo santo of the Gran Chaco
Another tree, Bulnesia sarmientoi from the Gran Chaco of Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia, is also called palo santo. It is a different species, listed in Appendix II of CITES, and its trade needs special permits. The palo santo sold for sticks and incense from Peru and Ecuador is Bursera graveolens. When you buy, ask the seller which species it is and where it comes from.
Frequently asked questions
Is palo santo the same as white sage?
No. White sage is a plant from California used in bundles; palo santo is a wood from South America. Both are burned for their aroma, but they smell very different: sage is herbal and sharp, palo santo is sweet and woody.
Does palo santo smell before you light it?
Yes. Good palo santo has a sweet aroma even unlit, and a few sticks in a drawer or a wardrobe scent it for a long time.
How do I choose good palo santo sticks?
Look for sticks that smell sweet unlit and feel heavy in the hand. More in our guide palo santo sticks: size, smell and how to choose.
Where does your palo santo come from?
From the dry forests of Piura, in northern Peru. We ship worldwide from Peru by DHL Express; see shipping costs by country.