5 palo santo "holy wood" benefits people swear by

you may have tried burning incense sticks, and even tried burning white sage, but have you ever tried palo santo sticks?

5 palo santo "holy wood" benefits people swear by

you may have tried burning incense sticks, and even tried burning white sage, but have you ever tried palo santo sticks?

what is palo santo and where does it come from

palo santo sticks originate from parts of south and central america and are harvested from the palo santo trees. the sticks are part of the citrus -- so they give off a woody scent with hints of pine, lemon and mint.

if you have ever tried frankincense or myrrh you will have a good idea of what palo santo sticks smell like.

how to use palo santo

there are many ways to enjoy the benefits of this "holy wood" that we have added to our mindfulness collection. 

the most popular, and what made palo santo sticks insta-famous, is burning the stick in a bowl -- we recommend using an incense holder.

the oils of the wood can also be extracted to make essential oils and used in diffusers. the stick can also be made into incense sticks.

finally, it can be fibrous material that can be used to brew an herbal tea.

10 benefits of palo santo sticks

1. use palo santo to clear negative energy in your home or office 

thanks to its high resin content, palo santo wood is believed to release its purifying properties when burned. palo santo is said to remove negativity and obstacles and attract good fortune.

to cleanse any space’s energy, simply light a stick and then extinguish the flame, gently waving the stick in the air or waving your hand over the stick. white smoke will be emitted from the smoldering stick, which can disperse around you or your space.

2. palo santo smudging helps with mindfulness

just the simple act of smudging -- lighting the palo santo sticks and extinguishing the flame so the smoke can flow through the space -- can be a very relaxing experience and part of your mindfulness routine 

3. palo santo scent helps relieve migraines and headaches

the light citrus scent of palo santo when mixed with a carrier oil and applied to your temple could help relieve migraine and headache pains.

you can also boil the sticks or use the essential oil in a diffuser and breathe in the steam and vapors. 

the scents will help release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin while stimulating the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the body’s natural pain killers.

4. palo santo is a good insect repellent

burning a few palo santo sticks on the patio or at your campsite can help repel pesky insects too! 

it has a complex chemical composition that's especially rich in limonene, which is also present in the peels of citrus fruits. limonene is part of the plant's defense against insects, making palo santo a natural insect repellent.

5. palo santo can reduce stress levels

as an essential oil, palo santo oil is purifying of the air and the mind. it has antimicrobial properties, tends to be calming to the nervous system, can reduce feelings of anxiety, and may brighten the mood. we suggest diffusing it to help energetically cleanse your space.