Palo Santo wood is aromatic wood from the Bursera graveolens tree, which grows in parts of South America, including Ecuador and Peru. “Palo Santo” is Spanish for “holy wood.”
People burn small pieces for their warm, slightly citrusy scent. The smoke is also used in some traditional cleansing and healing rituals. When shopping for it, look for the botanical name Bursera graveolens, since “Palo Santo” can refer to more than one kind of wood.