How To Tell Real Palo Santo From Fake: A Guide To Authentic Incense

Do people sell fake Palo Santo?

Unfortunately, many shops sell fake Palo Santo wood and oils. They buy a similarly coloured tree and try to pass it off as being Palo Santo. If you’re wondering if what you purchased is real Palo Santo, it’s a bit tricky to tell.

Why should we stop using Palo Santo?

Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world.” These tropical dry forests are hospitable to human activity (read: exploitation), and are therefore often subject to clear cutting for cattle ranches, which means Palo Santo trees often get caught in the logging …

Is it unethical to buy Palo Santo?

As put together by Forage and Sustain, a few places where you purchase palo santos ethically is: Anima Mundi Apothecary, Sacred Wood Essence, Ecuadorian Hands, and Woodlot. Definitely do your own research when purchasing palo santo so you’re practicing mindfulness and respect while using them in your rituals.

Why is my Palo Santo smoke black?

Real Palo Santo wood will emit white smoke after the fire on the stick goes out. But if you burn a fake stick, the smoke will be black even after the flame goes out.

Why does my Palo Santo smell bad?

​“All Palo Santo is not created equal,” says Dobrikov. ​“Unfortunately, some distributors use inauthentic wood, soaking it in Palo Santo oil. This result will often give off a strong smell, and the aroma is usually only released by burning [real sticks should give off a subtle scent even when they have not been lit].

What to say when you burn Palo Santo?

What do you say while cleansing with palo santo? As you take the Palo Santo stick into the corners of each room or space you are cleansing, say aloud: “I ask that the plant spirit of Palo Santo please infuse this space with blessings”. A rich smell will fill the air, bringing peace and clarity to the moment.

Can Palo Santo have negative effects?

Palo santo isn’t associated with any major side effects. However, it’s important to use caution if the following scenarios apply to you: It’s your first time using the oil. Do a patch test first.

How long does Palo Santo last?

Blow out the flame after 1 minute. The stick should continue burning embers for up to 1-2 hours after blowing out the flame. Blocking it out just allows you to reuse the stick and prevent fire hazards.

What smells better sage or Palo Santo?

Ultimately, the choice between sage smudging and Palo Santo smudging comes down to personal preference and intention. Consider the following factors: Scent: If you prefer a sweeter, more subtle scent, Palo Santo may be the better choice. If you like the earthy aroma of sage, go with sage smudging.

Is Palo Santo better than incense?

Incense can assist you in meditation, lucid dreaming, and help you connect to a specific type of energy. Certain scents, like sandalwood and Nag Champa, can be used for cleansing, but sage and Palo Santo, in their more pure states, tend to be more powerful.

What to do with leftover Palo Santo?

Place the Palo Santo residues in the soil around your plants or create a Palo Santo tea to water your plants with. To make the tea, soak the leftovers in water for several days, then use this infused water to nourish and protect your plants.

Can Palo Santo cleanse a space?

Regardless of what substance you choose, both sage and palo santo are time-tested and ancient tools for clearing space and releasing negative energy.

How do you know if Palo Santo is ethically sourced?

Most importantly, focus on finding a supplier that is transparent in their cultivating and harvesting practices of Palo Santo; or, as Adriana Ayales, a rainforest herbalist who grew up in Costa Rica says “look for companies where they themselves have gone to the area where the trees are from, met the farmers, know …

What happens when you burn Palo Santo?

The short burn will smoke for quite a while, delivering an incredible scent and cleansing the energy around you, restoring peace and calm.

Is Palo Santo really endangered?

Not without some thought. Though palo santo isn’t endangered, its habitat, tropical dry forest is threatened. “Dry tropical forest have been decimated. Estimates are that only five to ten percent of dry tropical forests are still intact around the world,” said Susan Leopold, Ph.

Is Palo Santo smoke safe?

And exposure to the particles released by burning wood can be irritating to the lungs. If you’re wondering how much Palo Santo exposure is too much, there’s unfortunately no research out there about safety thresholds yet, says Dr. Goldstein—so he advises burning it with caution.

Does Palo Santo clean the air?

This fragrant wood also has antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for purifying the air in your home or workspace. Burning Palo Santo is an effective way to cleanse and purify your home or personal space of any negative energy, while also providing a pleasant aroma.

How to use Palo Santo respectfully?

Light a stick of Palo Santo and allow it to burn for 30 seconds to 1 minute, before carefully blowing it out. Place the Palo Santo in a fireproof bowl. Sit quietly for 10 – 15 minutes and focus on your intentions for the day, holding gratitude and thanks in your heart.

What chakra is palo santo for?

Palo Santo is generally associated with the Root Chakra, amplifying our senses of self-preservation, courage, and grounding – connection to the EARTH and the physical plane in general.

Can you use palo santo without sage?

Both sage and palo santo work separately to cleanse a space. But, they can be even more powerful in tandem.

What to say when smudging with palo santo?

Take your Palo Santo incense and hold in the flame for 20-30 seconds, until the wood has caught fire and embers have formed. As it lights, give it intention- just one word. Something like “peace”, “positivity’ or “clarity”. Whatever you feel like you and your environment need most in that moment.

Why not to use palo santo?

Palo Santo will degrade your indoor air to the point that it will impact your health negatively. World Health Organisation levels for PM2. 5 are 10 µg/m3 over a 24 hour period so a level of 600 is far worse than smoking a cigarette….. VOC’s also rocket when you burn Palo Santo.

Can palo santo get wet?

When it is not serving you, it loves to live on your altar, in a designated pouch/bag, or other special space. Do not submerge your Palo Santo Jewelry under water! If it does get wet or submerged, dry immediately with cloth and then let sun dry.

How do you identify a Palo Santo tree?

The Palo Santo tree is a medium-sized tree found along the forest edges of the Canal area and Pacific lowlands of Panama. Growing up to 20 meters in height, it has a straight trunk with small buttresses. Its creamy brown outer bark peels to leave patches of the light inner bark exposed.

How long should a Palo Santo stick last?

Let the palo santo stick burn for 30-60 seconds, depending on how strong of a scent you want. After 60 seconds, blow on the stick until you extinguish the flame and it only emits embers. The stick should continue burning embers for up to 1-2 hours after blowing out the flame.

What should Palo Santo smell like?

Palo Santo belongs to the woody fragrance family, and it’s smell is described as a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with hints of mint, citrus. Some say Palo Santo smells slightly like licorice, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia when inhaling its delicate scent.

How do you know if a palo santo is fake?

Is palo santo a real wood?

What happens if you use fake palo santo wood?

What does Palo Santo look like?