Palo santo is a South American wood with a sweet, woody, slightly citrus scent. White sage is a California plant with a sharper, herbal scent. Both are burned as part of traditional cleansing or smudging practices. Neither is proven to remove anything from a room, so choose by scent and by how you want to practice.
What are they?
Palo santo means "holy wood" in Spanish. It comes from Bursera graveolens, a tree native to Ecuador and Peru. White sage is Salvia apiana, a plant from California. You can browse the sage collection and the Palo Santo collection.
How do they smell?
Palo santo is sweet, woody and a little citrusy. White sage is earthy, herbal and more pungent. Many people find sage stronger in a small room, and palo santo gentler.
How is each burned?
Both are lit, allowed to flame for around half a minute, and then blown out so they smolder. Hold the bundle or stick over a fire-safe dish to catch embers and ash. Put it out fully in the dish or in sand when you finish, and never leave it burning unattended.
Respect and sourcing
Smudging with herbs, resins and woods is a custom of many Indigenous cultures. If you use these in your own practice, learn where they come from and buy from sellers who explain how they are sourced. Some sellers say their palo santo comes only from naturally fallen trees, which is worth asking about.
What about claims about purifying a space?
Traditions describe cleansing or clearing a space. Those are spiritual and cultural practices, not scientific claims. Do not rely on smoke of any kind to treat illness, and speak to a doctor about any health concern. If you have asthma or are sensitive to smoke, avoid burning these indoors.
A more controlled option: scented incense
If you like the scent but want a more controlled burn, try incense. Sticks scented with palo santo, such as Auroshikha Palo Santo Incense Sticks and Balaji Palo Santo Incense Sticks, burn on a holder rather than as a bundle. These are scented incense, not raw palo santo wood. See more in the incense sticks collection.
Related reading
- 7-Day Candles: Colors, Meanings and How to Burn Them Safely
- Nag Champa Incense: What It Smells Like and How to Choose Between Satya, Hem and More
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between palo santo and white sage?
Palo santo is a South American wood with a sweet, woody, citrusy scent. White sage is a California herb with a sharper, herbal scent. Both are used in traditional smudging.
Which smells stronger, palo santo or sage?
Most people find white sage the more pungent of the two and palo santo the gentler.
How do I burn palo santo safely?
Light the end, let it flame for about half a minute, blow out the flame, hold it over a fire-safe dish and fully extinguish it when you finish.
Does smudging purify a room?
Smudging is a traditional and spiritual practice. There is no proof that it purifies air, and it should not be used to treat illness.
Sources
This guide is general information about fragrance, aromatherapy and home use. It is not medical advice.
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