Palo Santo Incense Sticks, Uses and Benefits

Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as Palo Santo ("holy wood") is a tree that inhabits the coast of Ecuador. The tree belongs to the same family (Burseraceae) as frankincense and myrrh. It is widely used in folk medicine. Aged heartwood is rich in terpenes such as limonene and α-terpineol.

The use of Palo Santo (or Palo Santo) from Bursera Graveolens is reported to be traditional in South America, especially in Ecuador. According to the local customs, it is used against the "mala energia" (bad energy) ("Palo Santo para limpiar tu casa de la mala energia, Palo Santo para la buena suerte" or "Palo Santo to clean your house of bad energy, Palo Santo for good luck").

Incense is made without damaging the Palo Santo tree. We only process wood that has been found to have died naturally in the forest. The tree grows for about 30 to 40 years and then dies. Then, it has to wait another 2-4 years, before we can process it, since this is the only way in Palo Santo to manifest its properties and we can take advantage of them.

"Palo Santo grows wildy in the forest. However, we are replanting palo santo trees that we will not get to process. This is our contribution to the future generations to come".

The Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens) is a tree from the Ecuadorian dry forests which was used by Shamans to cure many diseases; this is the reason why the Spanish that settled here call the tree "Santo".

If we think of the body like a house where we live, we can take into consideration the ancient rituals based on Palo Santo as the ancient peoples lacked knowledge of illnesses which to them were all products of bad energy.

Palo Santo (Bursera Graveolens) is an aromatic wood; Its smoke is used as a repellent to keep off mosquitoes, ants and other insects. It also cleans and helps to remove the bad energy from the home, keep away evil spirits, induces meditation and spiritual search. The scent of Palo Santo is extremely soothing and transmits a powerful energy.

• Palo Santo Sticks: Until recently, was used the dead trunk tree heart, cut into sticks 6-9 cm in length and 1 cm, in diameter and are placed on burning coal, especially to keep off mosquitoes. The sticks can also be used to prepare tea that helps to cure diseases that come from the cold.
• Incense Cones: We transform the sticks in cones with the sawdust of Palo Santo wood without using artificial glue, chemical or animal products.

How do you use Palo santo smudge sticks?

The palo santo sticks are very versatile, they have great benefits and you can get them if you use them in the right way, pay attention to the uses and benefits that will be highlighted below.

• For the flu, cough, asthma: Prepare tea or tisane; Infusions: Boil the Sticks for fifteen minutes, filter and drink with sugar or honey at night. A bag of 10 sticks can be used to prepare 30 cups of tea. (Note: These statements have not been evaluated by any Governmental Office of Ecuador.)
• Mosquito repellent: Burn on a Palo Santo incense (cone or stick) to keep off the mosquitoes. Use one cone or stick at a time.
• Meditation and spiritual search: Burn on 1 or 2 incense cones in the incense burner. These cones must be used in their respective incense burner because the size of the holes is carefully designed to control combustion. The cones are consumed entirely in 20 or 25 minutes.
• To clean and remove the bad energy from home: You need to burn at least four cones together if the place is small, without putting the cap on the incense burner. The clean is well done when the room seems to have fog, you can not breathe and your eyes burn. For this reason the room must be empty for at least three hours.

(Note: Ecuadorianhands website does not contain medical advice. The contents of this website, are intended for informational and educational purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. The contents of this website are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.)

FAQ

What differentiates Palo Santo incense from other natural incense on the market?

Palo Santo incense stands out for its sacred and ancestral origins, its citrus-woody aroma, and its spiritual properties. Unlike other incense sticks, it is made without cutting down trees, using only naturally fallen wood.

Why is it important to use naturally dead wood to make Palo Santo incense?

Because only then does the tree develop the aromatic resin rich in limonene and terpenes. Using live wood prevents the incense from achieving its full therapeutic and spiritual properties.

What spiritual benefits are attributed to the continued use of Palo Santo incense?

It helps clear dense energies, ward off negative vibrations, raise the spiritual frequency, and connect with states of higher consciousness.

What is the best time of day to use Palo Santo incense for meditation?

In the morning to start the day with clarity, or at night to release tension and facilitate introspection.

How does Palo Santo incense influence yoga and mindfulness practices?

It enhances concentration, deepens breathing, and promotes a harmonious and centered environment, ideal for body-mind practices.

Can Palo Santo smoke be combined with other natural incense or herbs?

Yes, but it is recommended to use it alone to better appreciate its properties. If combined, use it with copal, myrrh, or white sage to enhance energetic cleansing.

What are the signs of a successful energetic cleansing with Palo Santo?

Lighter environments, a sense of peace, reduced stress, and, energetically, the space feels lighter or more harmonious.

How does EcuadorianHands ensure the sustainability of the Palo Santo used in its incense?

By harvesting only natural dead wood and actively reforesting, they have planted over 17,000 Palo Santo trees in Manabí, Ecuador.