Palo Santo "Holly wood" - Bursera Graveolens Pieces - 25g

Pieces of Palo Santo or Bursera Graveolens from Peru

Palo Santo or Holy Stick (translation from Spanish) is a wood of South American origin. Mostly it comes from Peru, like ours, or from Ecuador, although it also grows in several other countries on the continent. The wood is used by the locals to cleanse houses and ward off evil spirits. It also gives off a pleasant fragrance.

How is Palo Santo wood used ?
Unlike Indian sandalwood or aloe wood from Southeast Asia, Palo Santo wood is very practical to burn. You do not need to prepare a complicated fireplace as the Japanese do for the incense ceremony. Just place the small pieces of palo santo on a glowing charcoal tray. If you prefer to use it in chips and not cut it up, go to the Palo Santo in Chips page.
Of course, you can also burn it directly without a charcoal tray by lighting the end of the log. Let the log burn for a few seconds and then blow out the flame. The smoke that is produced is enough to smoke out a small room. Repeat the process as often as necessary.

How do I recognise real Palo Santo wood ?
It is not complicated, but you have to have it in front of your nose to be able to smell it. It is a wood that gives off a strong smell when it is of good quality. When you cut it in the direction of the grain, it gives off even more scent and this scented oil that it naturally contains makes the blade of your knife sticky.

A bag of 25 g is equivalent to about 2 to 4 logs of 1-2 cm x 10 cm.