What Does Palo Santo Smell Like?
Last updated on October 17th, 2024 at 01:53 pm
If you’ve ever wondered, “What does Palo Santo smell like?”, you’re not alone.
Palo santo is a sacred tree that can be found in South Africa. It has long been used in traditional and healing ceremonies.
It has several beneficial properties including a unique aroma.
Many people are curious about this unique scent, especially since it’s become popular in wellness practices and meditation rituals.
In a nutshell, Palo Santo has a warm, woody aroma with hints of citrus and a touch of sweetness—a scent that’s both grounding and uplifting.
What Does Palo Santo Smell Like?
The aroma of Palo Santo is unlike any other. Imagine the deep, earthy scent of pine mixed with the freshness of lemon, and add a subtle hint of mint. It’s a complex blend that’s soothing yet invigorating. This unique fragrance is why Palo Santo is often burned as incense or used as an essential oil to cleanse spaces and bring a sense of calm.
- Woody and Earthy: The primary scent of Palo Santo is woody, similar to that of cedar or pine. It’s an earthy aroma that brings a sense of nature indoors.
- Citrusy Touch: Palo Santo has a light citrus undertone, which gives it a fresh, clean feel. This is what sets it apart from other woody scents—making it both rich and refreshing.
- Sweet and Subtle: There’s also a subtle sweetness to Palo Santo that’s reminiscent of vanilla. It’s this delicate sweetness that makes the scent so comforting.
Palo Santo History
The name palo santo can be translated to mean holy wood.
It has been used by shamans and healers for centuries.
It is known to purify air, discourage evil spirits, cure illnesses such as cold and flu and improve mood.
The tree is most beneficial after it dies naturally and is left to decompose for five to eight years. The process gives the oils in the wood enough time to mature.
Then it is harvested and processed into incense sticks and essential oils to be used in rituals or for general purification and relaxation.
Why Do People Love the Smell of Palo Santo?
Palo Santo isn’t just pleasant to smell—it’s also believed to have a range of benefits. Many people find the scent calming, which is why it’s often used in meditation or yoga practices. The woody aroma can help you feel grounded, while the hint of citrus lifts your mood. This balance is what makes Palo Santo so versatile; it’s both relaxing and energising, depending on how you use it.
Emotional Benefits:
- Calming: The earthy and sweet elements of Palo Santo can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Mood Boosting: The citrus undertones have an uplifting effect, making it a great choice for when you need a little pick-me-up.
Palo Santo Smell Benefits
The benefits of Palo Santo’s smell go beyond just a pleasant aroma. Here’s why people love incorporating Palo Santo into their routines:
Reduces Stress: The woody, earthy scent of Palo Santo has a calming effect on the mind.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, burning Palo Santo or diffusing its oil can help you relax.
Enhances Mood: The fresh citrus undertones of Palo Santo work wonders for uplifting your spirits.
Whether you’re starting your day or need an afternoon pick-me-up, the smell of Palo Santo can boost your mood.
Supports Meditation: Palo Santo is frequently used during meditation because its scent helps create a tranquil atmosphere.
The earthy aroma grounds you, while the sweet and citrusy notes help you focus.
Cleanses Energy: Many believe that Palo Santo’s aroma has cleansing properties, clearing away negative energy and promoting positive vibes in your space.
Whether or not you’re into energy work, the scent can make your home feel fresher.
Improves Sleep: The relaxing qualities of Palo Santo’s scent may also help improve sleep quality.
Burning a bit of Palo Santo before bedtime or diffusing the oil can help you unwind and prepare for restful sleep.
Where Does The Palo Santo Scent Come From?
The Palo Santo scent comes from the Bursera graveolens tree, which is native to parts of South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and other regions near the equator. Palo Santo, which means “Holy Wood” in Spanish, is known for its fragrant properties that are released when the wood is burned or distilled into an essential oil.
Natural Oils: The unique scent of Palo Santo is due to the natural oils found in the wood.
These oils develop as the tree matures, and they become especially concentrated when the tree falls and ages naturally.
Sustainable Harvesting: It’s important to note that Palo Santo is traditionally harvested sustainably.
Only wood from trees that have fallen naturally is used.
This helps ensure that the distinct oils are preserved and that the ecosystem remains balanced.
The scent of Palo Santo is deeply tied to the environment where the tree grows. The combination of climate, soil, and the natural maturation process all contribute to the rich, complex aroma that makes Palo Santo so beloved.
How Is Palo Santo Used?
The scent of Palo Santo is used in many ways—most commonly, it’s burned as incense.
You light the end of a Palo Santo stick until it catches fire, then blow it out, letting the smoke release its fragrant oils into the air.
Palo Santo essential oil is another popular option, which can be diffused to fill a room with its distinctive aroma or used in massage oils for a calming effect.
Palo Santo is also used in spiritual rituals.
Many believe the scent helps cleanse negative energy from a space, similar to how sage is used.
Whether or not you subscribe to these beliefs, there’s no denying that the aroma itself is deeply comforting and purifying.
How to Use Palo Santo
It is important to use palo santo correctly. This will allow it to provide the maximum benefits and it will eliminate the possibility of using it in a way that would be considered disrespectful to certain cultures.
Here are some guidelines for how to incorporate it in your rituals.
Meditation: If you are planning to meditate with palo santo, start by lighting the end of the stick. Let it burn for 30 seconds before blowing it out.
It will continue to emit smoke. Place it in an incense burner and allow it to clear your mind for meditation.
Clear Your Space: You can also use palo santo to clear negative energy from your space.
To do this, light the stick.
Then move around the room waving it around to spread the smoke.
You may have to relight the stick a few times when doing this as it is known to extinguish on its own.
For Therapeutic Purposes: Palo alto is often used in aromatherapy for its ability to reduce stress and improve mood.
You light the stick and wave it around or keep it in a burner in one central place so it can disperse its beneficial aroma around the room.
How to Choose Good-Quality Palo Santo
Choosing good-quality Palo Santo is essential to ensure you get the best scent and benefits. Here’s what to look for when selecting Palo Santo:
Sustainable Sourcing: Make sure the Palo Santo you’re buying is sustainably sourced.
Ethical suppliers only harvest wood from trees that have fallen naturally, which helps preserve the ecosystem.
Rich Aroma: Good-quality Palo Santo should have a strong, distinctive scent even before it’s burned.
If the wood has little to no aroma, it may be of poor quality or not aged properly.
Appearance: High-quality Palo Santo is often light in colour and has a smooth texture.
Look for pieces that are not overly dry or cracked, as these may not burn as well.
Origin: Palo Santo from Peru and Ecuador is often considered to be of the highest quality.
Check the origin of the wood to ensure you’re getting a product that comes from a reputable source.
Vendor Reputation: Purchase Palo Santo from a trusted vendor who provides information about the sourcing and quality of their products.
Reviews and recommendations can also help you find a reliable supplier.
Comparing the Smell of Fresh vs. Aged Palo Santo
When comparing the smell of fresh vs. aged Palo Santo, you’ll notice some significant differences that affect the overall experience. Both have unique qualities, but aged Palo Santo is generally more sought after for its richer aroma.
Fresh Palo Santo: Freshly cut Palo Santo wood tends to have a milder scent.
The natural oils have not fully developed, so the aroma is less intense.
Fresh Palo Santo may have a greener, more resinous smell, which some people enjoy, but it’s not as complex as aged wood.
Aged Palo Santo: Aged Palo Santo is considered superior due to its deeper, more complex aroma.
As the wood ages, the natural oils become more concentrated, enhancing the signature warm, woody, and citrusy scent.
The ageing process can take several years, but it results in a fragrance that’s both powerful and nuanced, making it ideal for spiritual and relaxation purposes.
Why Age Matters: The ageing process is key to unlocking the full aromatic potential of Palo Santo.
As the wood matures, it develops a richer, more balanced scent profile that includes sweet, earthy, and citrusy notes.
This is why many people prefer aged Palo Santo for burning or using in rituals.
Buying Palo Santo
Its important to buy palo santo from a company you trust.
In addition to ensuring that you are getting the very best product, it will also let you know that what you are using is being ethically and sustainably harvested.
After all, wood is a precious natural resource that must be protected.
If you enjoy shopping online, there are many quality vendors of palo santo on Amazon.
FAQs About Palo Santo
1. What does Palo Santo smell like compared to sage?
Sage has a much sharper, more herbal scent, whereas Palo Santo is warmer and has sweeter, citrusy undertones. If you find sage a bit overpowering, you might prefer the subtle complexity of Palo Santo.
2. Is Palo Santo safe to use indoors?
Yes, Palo Santo is safe to use indoors as long as it’s used in moderation and the area is well-ventilated. The smoke is not as intense as some other incenses, but it’s always best to be mindful of your surroundings.
3. Why does my Palo Santo stick not stay lit?
Palo Santo is a dense wood, and it’s normal for it not to stay lit for long. The idea is to let it smoulder and release smoke rather than burn continuously.
Final Thoughts: What Does Palo Santo Smell Like?
So, what does Palo Santo smell like? It’s a warm, woody fragrance with fresh citrus notes and a hint of sweetness. Whether you’re using it to cleanse your space, enhance your meditation, or simply enjoy its soothing aroma, Palo Santo is an experience for the senses—comforting, grounding, and just a little bit magical.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it or drop a comment below. Do you have a favourite way to use Palo Santo? Let’s keep the conversation going!
About The Author: Hi, I’m Jessica. I’m a Mom of 2 and I love DIY hacks, home decor ideas and non-toxic cleaning tips. I created this website to share my knowledge with a community of like-minded people who love simple, easy and safe ways to keep their home clean and inspiring. I hope you enjoy!
