Ultimate Guide to Palo Santo
Palo santo is an exotic wood that was considered sacred in South America, and was also used as a medicine in the rituals of the Indians, as this wood accumulates a large amount of aromatic resins.
In modern times, palo santo is used to create a pleasant aroma and a relaxing atmosphere at home, with the goal of healing, calming and relaxing. In addition, if used during summer, palo santo sticks can be lit as an insect repeller, since the wood contains an organic compound that mosquitoes and other insects cannot tolerate.
The composition of the palo santo tree also contains guaiac oil, which is actively used in perfumery and cosmetology due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, soothing and immunostimulatory properties. Guaiac oil is good to be added to soaps, scrubs, lotions for deep cleansing and moisturizing the skin, as well as for removing toxins from cells.
How to properly burn palo santo?
The aroma of palo santo is both spicy and sweet, with the hints of citrus and mint. Palo santo is usually sold in the form of small sticks that you need to light from one end, and after 40-50 seconds the palo santo stick will burn evenly. Next, you just need to blow out the fire, and the stick will smolder for several hours. A palo santo stick is usually placed on a ceramic or metal surface, or inserted vertically inside of a bowl with sand. When the amount of smoke decreases, it will be enough just to blow on the stick a little again so that it continues to smolder.
Palo santo bars can be a great alternative to aroma sticks and reed diffusers.