A Fragrant Legacy from South America

Palo Santo, meaning “holy wood” in Spanish, has been burned for centuries by indigenous communities of South America for its supposed ability to cleanse negative energy and promote a sense of tranquility.

Traditionally harvested from fallen branches of the Bursera graveolens tree, Palo Santo releases a woody, citrusy aroma that is grounding, relaxing, and deeply spiritual.

At Aurawell Shop, we honor this tradition by offering ethically sourced Palo Santo sticks and Palo Santo incense cones, and we are currently developing our own line of thoughtfully crafted Palo Santo candles—designed to bring mindfulness into your daily rituals.

How Palo Santo Candles Are Made

The process begins with extracting natural essential oils from aged Palo Santo wood. These oils are then blended into natural soy or coconut wax bases to preserve the scent's integrity.

The mixture is carefully poured into molds or vessels, cooled slowly to minimize cracking, and finished with a cotton or wood wick. The final result is a clean-burning candle that delivers a therapeutic fragrance with every flicker.

Unlike synthetic candles, which often rely on artificial perfumes and paraffin wax, Palo Santo candles retain their purity through minimal processing and sustainable ingredients. The Palo Santo we use is sourced from naturally fallen branches—never from living trees.

Why Do Some People Feel Dizzy After Burning Scented Candles?

It's not uncommon to feel lightheaded when exposed to strong scents for a prolonged time. This isn't necessarily a sign of poor quality, but rather a sensory overload. Your olfactory system—the part of your brain responsible for processing smells—can become overstimulated. Combined with limited ventilation, this can lead to a feeling of heaviness or dizziness.

This effect is especially noticeable with richly scented natural products like Palo Santo. To avoid discomfort, we recommend burning your candle in a well-ventilated space and limiting each session to 1–2 hours at a time.

What Makes Palo Santo Unique—and Is It a Closed Practice?

Unlike sage or other spiritual herbs, Palo Santo carries a unique cultural history specific to Indigenous groups in Peru and Ecuador. While not legally classified as a closed practice, using Palo Santo respectfully means understanding its cultural significance and supporting responsible sourcing.

At Aurawell, we partner with Peruvian cooperatives that practice sustainable collection methods, including waiting for trees to fall naturally and allowing the wood to mature for several years before harvesting.

Replanting and Ethical Sourcing

Thanks to growing awareness and global demand, replanting initiatives are now being led by local cooperatives and international sustainability programs. For every tree that falls naturally and is harvested, a new Palo Santo sapling is planted nearby.

The wood is aged for 3–7 years to ensure its oil content (which ranges between 2–5% by weight) develops fully, giving it the characteristic rich aroma. This circular harvesting system helps preserve biodiversity while empowering local communities economically and spiritually.

Is Darker Palo Santo Better?

Darker, oil-rich pieces of Palo Santo do tend to produce a thicker, more resinous smoke with deeper fragrance. However, it's not the only marker of quality. What truly matters is how the wood is aged and how it was sourced. Resin development varies by climate, time fallen, and soil conditions—not just color alone.

Candle Etiquette and Usage Tips

When using a Palo Santo candle, always trim the wick before each use to prevent soot. Burn the candle for a full melt pool during the first use (usually 1–2 hours), but avoid extended burning beyond 3 hours at a time. Always keep your space ventilated to let the natural fragrance circulate without overwhelming the senses.

As our Palo Santo Candle Collection is in development, we invite you to explore our existing range of sticks and incense cones, perfect for setting the mood during yoga, journaling, or nighttime meditation. Our mission is to support rituals of presence—and bring sacred calm into modern homes.