Palo Santo – Incense 50g

Incense is more than just a pleasant aroma wafting through the air. They have been used for centuries for their valuable properties. Herbs, flowers, leaves, bark, twigs and tree resin harbour the power of aromatic essential oils, which can influence our mood and emotions and create an extraordinary atmosphere around us. Already thousands of years ago, incense was an important part of religious rituals. They were believed to protect against evil spirits, summon good energy and could even connect people to the inaccessible world of astral beings. Their power was already being used in ancient Egypt and Asia. The power of natural, herbal incense was also appreciated by the Indians of the Americas. The smoke from the incense aids meditation, allows deep reflection and a look into oneself. When we reach for incense, we tap into the wisdom and gifts of nature that have served mankind for centuries!

Palo Santo – the "sacred tree" of the South American Indians

Palo Santo in Spanish means "sacred tree" – and indeed, it is a tree that is extraordinary! It has amazing properties, as if taken out of a magic book. Aromatic resin flows through its veins, giving it a unique fragrance and extraordinary strength. The "sacred wood" is used to create beautiful utilitarian objects, jewellery and even vessels, particularly for drinking the traditional South American "tea" yerba mate. Valuable essential oils are extracted from its resin, which are used in perfumes. But that's not all! When set on fire, a piece of Palo Santo turns into a natural, fragrant incense.

What does Palo Santo incense smell like? The smoke rising from the lit wood carries sweet vanilla notes, combined with citrus freshness; it brings to mind the scent of a tropical forest and damp leaves. Pure magic of nature! The Indians of South America used Palo Santo in the form of incense to smudge the sites of shamanic rituals and ceremonies. They believed that the aromatic smoke cleansed negative energy, protected against evil spirits and brought good luck. To this day, Palo Santo incense is still used in aromatherapy, during yoga and meditation – its pleasant aroma infuses positive energy, helps to clear the mind and relax, and facilitates entry into a state of complete relaxation and harmony with the surrounding world.

Out of respect for nature. How is Palo Santo wood harvested?

The wood incense we offer comes from sunny Ecuador and is a species of tree Bursera graveolens. In fact, under the name "Palo Santo" there are many species of trees, some of which are threatened with extinction. For this reason, extraction of the wood is done in a sustainable manner – by harvesting only naturally fallen and dead branches. Fortunately, the species of our Palo Santo is no longer on the endangered species list, but the tradition of sourcing wood in a non-threatening way has remained constant. This is not only a sign of respect for nature, but also a guarantee that our incense is of the highest quality! Before the Palo Santo branches are harvested, they lie on the ground for up to six years. During this time, the resin they contain becomes even more potent and uniquely aromatic.

Burning Palo Santo incense – how to use it?

Before you start a smudging ritual:

1. Create the right atmosphere and get your surroundings in order. Stop, relax, unwind. You will experience the magic of Palo Santo to the full with an open and clear mind. The smudging ritual is a special moment which allows you to look deep into your own soul, so do not rush it.
2. Approach the ritual of burning Palo Santo incense with seriousness and respect. It is part of the ancient culture of the Indians who, through ritual, connected with the spirit of nature and achieved complete harmony with themselves and their surroundings.
3. During the ritual, think about the intention that will accompany you. Surround yourself with the fragrant smoke of Palo Santo, immerse yourself in the aroma of incense and feel the natural magic of the South American Indians. Purify your soul, mind and surroundings, drive away bad energy and invoke all that is positive.

Instructions for using Palo Santo incense:

1. Holding a Palo Santo wood in your hand, light one end by holding it over a fire source for a few seconds. Use a candle, match or lighter. Wait until the incense begins to glow.
2. Extinguish the incense by blowing out the flame or shaking the wood vigorously. After a moment, thick, intensely fragrant smoke will begin to rise from the Palo Santo. As you extinguish the flame, think about the intention that will accompany your ritual.
3. Cover yourself with the fragrant smoke, directing the incense from your feet to your head, and then cover the room, objects or persons you wish to purify. When the ritual is over, place the still glowing incense in a safe place, e.g. in a ceramic pot or on a special stand. After a while, the Palo Santo will extinguish itself – then you can light it again. Open the windows and ventilate the room to introduce a new, positive energy.

Interesting facts and tips on the use of Palo Santo:

** As the Palo Santo "matures", a whole ecosystem develops within it. It is not only humans who appreciate the aromatic resin – it is also adored by various insects, including bark beetles, which tunnel through the wood. This is a natural process, and their footprints on the wood are a sign of Palo Santo's authenticity – proof that it comes from dead branches and not from illegal logging. Before the wood arrives, it is thoroughly cleaned of the insects that live in it, but visible traces of them may remain. Some pieces of wood may also be scarred – further evidence of the natural origin of our Palo Santo.

** Sometimes it happens that Palo Santo doesn't want to burn – don't worry, it's nothing to fear! The wood we offer is carefully selected and fully dried. However, nature can be fickle and – as with natural products – they are not always perfect. It can happen that a minimal amount of moisture remains in a piece of Palo Santo, making it difficult to set fire to it. If this happens, simply dry it gently on a radiator or in the sun. Good luck!

Additional information:

Country of origin: Ecuador

Weight: approx. 50 g

Please note: each piece of Palo Santo wood differs slightly in size and weight, so there may be a weight difference of approximately 5 g in each packet.