Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a holy wood from the dry forests of Peru — prized for its warm, woody-sweet scent. Ours is SERFOR-certified, sustainably harvested and selected for high resin content. Each stick lasts for 20–30 uses.

palo santo on ceramic dish handmade

What is Palo Santo & how do you burn it?

Palo Santo is burned as raw wood: light one end over a candle flame, blow it out after a few seconds, and let the smouldering stick spread the smoke through the room. Rest it on a fireproof holder — the ember dies on its own. For the full guide, the benefits and the origins, see our magazine article on Palo Santo.

Buying Palo Santo — What to Look For

Not all Palo Santo is equal. Quality depends on origin, ageing and resin content.

SERFOR certification is the most reliable quality marker. SERFOR is Peru's national forestry authority — the certificate means the wood was legally and sustainably harvested, not taken from living trees. Ours carries this certification.

High resin content drives the scent. Quality wood has visible resin veins and produces a full, lasting fragrance. Our sticks are selected for it.

Ageing makes the difference: authentic Palo Santo comes from naturally fallen branches dried for at least 4 years. Plantation wood doesn't develop that depth.

How to Burn Palo Santo — Step by Step

  1. Light it. Hold one end of the stick over a candle flame for 10–20 seconds until it catches fire.
  2. Let it glow. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently blow or wave it out. The stick should glow and begin to smoke.
  3. Carry the smoke. Walk through your space with the smouldering stick, letting the smoke reach every corner.
  4. Place it safely. Set the stick on a fireproof surface — ideally a ceramic holder. The ember will extinguish on its own after 2–3 minutes.
  5. Reuse it. One stick lasts for 20–30 uses. Simply relight when you want to enjoy the scent again.

Tip: A candle flame works better than a lighter — it provides a steadier heat and gives the resin time to activate.

FAQ

What is Palo Santo?

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a sacred aromatic wood from South America. When burned, it releases a warm, woody, slightly sweet fragrance traditionally used for energy cleansing, relaxation and meditation.

What does Palo Santo smell like?

Warm and woody with a subtle sweetness and light citrus notes. The scent is calming and grounding — less intense than traditional incense sticks, more natural and nuanced.

What are the benefits of burning Palo Santo?

Palo Santo is traditionally used to cleanse spaces and create a calm atmosphere. Its high limonene content — a natural terpene — is associated with stress relief and mood enhancement. It's popular as part of evening rituals, yoga sessions and meditation practice. For more details on the benefits of Palo Santo, read our magazine article.

How many times can you use one Palo Santo stick?

Each stick can be relit 20–30 times. Palo Santo burns slowly and extinguishes on its own after a few minutes, making it very economical.

Is your Palo Santo sustainably sourced?

Yes. Our Palo Santo is certified by SERFOR, Peru's national forestry authority. Only naturally fallen wood is harvested, and for every tree collected, multiple new trees are planted. The indigenous communities involved in harvesting benefit directly.

Do I need a holder for Palo Santo?

We recommend a fireproof surface to catch any ash. Our handmade ceramic holders are designed for both Palo Santo and incense sticks — functional and beautiful.

What's the difference between Palo Santo and incense sticks?

Palo Santo is raw wood that you burn directly — it produces a shorter, more intense ritual. Incense sticks are crafted from pressed plant materials and burn longer as a subtle background fragrance. Many people enjoy both for different moments.

Our handmade Palo Santo holders

noneedformore

Handmade Incense & Palo Santo Holder - Oval

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noneedformore

'Unhurried' Hand-thrown Incense Holder & Japanese Incense Set

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