When choosing a smudge stick for a cleansing ceremony, Palo Santo is a particularly powerful and beautifully fragrant choice. Palo Santo is a tree native to many South American countries and considered to be a “holy wood” — as indicated by its Spanish name — with both physical and spiritual benefits.

Physical Benefits

Palo Santo’s wood, resin, and oil has been used for thousands of years as a potent medicinal plant. It’s soothing to the nervous system and improves the body’s immune response and recovery speed. Palo Santo has also been used as a pain reliever and for reducing inflammation, largely on account of the limonene content. It has the highest amount of d-limonene (60-70%) of any tree oil making it a powerful antioxidant. The smoke has been used to relieve common colds, flu, asthma, and headaches. From a mental health standpoint, Palo Santo has been used traditionally to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve overall emotional wellbeing.

Spiritual Benefits

Palo Santo is part of the same botanical family as Frankincense and Myrrh. As such, it shares many of the same properties that these other deeply spiritual plants have. This magical wood is said to work with the Sacral Chakra which enhances creativity and balances sexual energy. The Sacral Chakra is the second chakra associated with sensuality, creativity, and emotions. It’s also associated with the lymphatic system. Palo Santo is also considered a high frequency essential oil and can help raise your vibration when used. Aside from smudging rituals, you can also use Palo Santo during yoga, meditation, or any spiritual practice to heighten your experience and enhance your non-physical connection.

Shop Palo Santo Responsibly

Remember to buy responsibly sourced wood. Although Palo Santo is not currently at risk for endangerment, shopping ethical and sustainable products will help keep it that way for the long term.

Check out our shop for Palo Santo sticks or an all-inclusive Smudge Kit to add a Sage Bundle, Abalone Shell, and Turkey Feather to your ritual materials.

How To Smudge

Need a crash course in smudging? Check out this article.