"Discover the Amazing Magical and Spiritual Uses and Benefits of Palo Santo"
- Rock Collage
- Jun 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Palo Santo clears away negativity, smooths vibrations, and draws in positive feelings better than anything else.
"Many who work with herbs or oils have encountered Palo Santo in some form. Its name means "holy wood," and this lovely, aromatic tree lives up to its reputation as a healing and cleansing agent. It has been a part of sacred rituals in its native region for centuries due to its powerful properties. What is Palo Santo, and how can it be used today?"

Palo Santo, the Holy Wood
Palo Santo is the wood of the Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). It primarily grows along the coast of South America and can be found in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands. Its wood is very aromatic. It accumulates fragrant oil and resin in the wood fiber, which produces its distinctive scent. Interestingly, the oil production is affected by the moon. When the moon is new, the wood produces a smaller quantity of light oil. However, it produces more abundant and deeply scented oil when it is full. When the wood is burned, it gives off a dense, fragrant smoke. Palo Santo is used in rituals to cleanse and ward off negative energies. It is related to frankincense, myrrh, and copal trees, which are also powerful energy cleansers and protectors. The wood is also used to communicate with the divine, heal on the physical and spiritual levels, and improve concentration and mental focus during meditation. Because it is considered holy, Palo Santo must never be cut down. Any wood used in rituals should be sourced from fallen branches.
What Is Palo Santo Used For Spiritually?
Palo Santo is highly revered for its ability to cleanse spaces, attract positivity, and connect individuals to the divine. Its multifaceted spiritual applications make it a unique and essential tool for anyone on a spiritual journey. Whether you are seeking clarity in meditation, healing, protection, or simply a boost of good fortune, this wood has a plethora of uses. Dive deeper to explore the varied ways you can incorporate Palo Santo into your spiritual practices.
Cleansing with Palo Santo
Palo Santo can be used to drive away negativity, remove obstacles, and attract luck. To use it, light a stick, wait for about thirty seconds, and then blow out the flame. The end will continue to smolder, releasing dense, white, fragrant smoke. Carry this around the area you wish to cleanse, waving the smoke with your hand or a hand fan to make sure it gets into all of the corners. As you do this, state your intention. Your words can be simple, like...
With this smoke, I cleanse this space of negativity. Spirit of Palo Santo, clear away the bad things so that only good may come in.
You can also recite a prayer to your deity or deities, invoke your guardian angels, or call on your spirit guides to help you drive away negative energy. Afterward, allow the smoldering end to burn out. You can also add Palo Santo powder to smudge sticks or other herb bundles.
Palo Santo for Meditation
Palo Santo is great for meditation because it expands consciousness, enhances mental clarity, and strengthens connections to the divine. You can experience its benefits by allowing a small amount of the wood to smolder in an incense bowl. If you have a small meditation area or if you find the smoke too dense, you can try using Palo Santo incense or Palo Santo & Rue incense. Another option is to wear a Palo Santo bead necklace or bracelet to connect with the spirit of the wood and enjoy the fragrance without burning it. Breathe in the sacred fragrance and let it enhance your meditation experience.
Using the Palo Santo Wood to Heal
"The wood and oil are believed to have medicinal properties, but they are most effective in healing on a spiritual or vibrational level. Burning the wood or incense in a sick room can help to clear out negative energies caused by pain and illness, and it is also said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and relaxing properties."
Attracting Luck with Palo Santo
There are times when everyone could use some extra good fortune, but often those moments occur outside the home where using Palo Santo wood may not be practical. Since Palo Santo is believed to attract luck, applying a small amount of Palo Santo cologne can be a discreet way to benefit from its spiritual properties. First, take a moment to relax and visualize yourself surrounded by a protective shield of golden light, allowing only positive energy to enter. Once you have this image in mind, apply a small amount of Palo Santo cologne on your neck, wrists, and over your heart. By doing so, you can embrace the belief that you attract positivity and are connected to something greater as you step out into the world.
Using the Wood Without Burning It
Palo Santo is a precious wood, so you may not wish to burn it. In addition to using it for jewelry and cologne, you can also keep pieces of the raw sticks with you as talismans. These still carry the sacred wood's fragrance and can be powerful additions to sachets. You can also leave pieces of the wood in your home, especially on your altar. The only restriction is to treat the spirit of the wood with respect. Keep it off the floor, away from toilets and trash cans, and where animals cannot get to it. Set it in a place of honor, and ask the spirit of the wood to cleanse, protect, and uplift the space. There is nothing quite like Palo Santo. Its unique fragrance is like a mixture of pine resins, citrus, and frankincense. It clears away negativity, smooths vibrations, and draws in positive feelings better than almost anything else. Treat this wood with respect and it will reward you.
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