How to Use Palo Santo: Light, Smolder and Relight
Set the stick over a stable, heat-safe holder on a flat, clear surface. Keep the room ventilated and stay with the stick. Light one end for 30 seconds, then blow out the flame and let the wood smolder. The stick may go out; relighting is normal.
What Palo Santo wood is
The LotsOfZen set contains 20 thick sticks of natural Palo Santo wood, about 4 inches (10 cm) long. They are Bursera graveolens from Peru. The sticks are split pieces of wood, so width, grain and shape vary. This guide covers the wood stick; an essential oil or a bamboo-core incense stick is a different product and should be used according to its own directions.
Explore LotsOfZen Palo Santo wood sticks
Prepare the space first
Set a stable holder made for heat on a flat, clear, non-flammable surface. Keep it away from paper, fabric, dry leaves, curtains, children and pets. A bowl or dish is suitable only if it is heat-safe and stable. The holder, candle and decor in these photos are props; the product is the wood sticks only.
Before you light the stick
- Choose a stable, heat-safe holder.
- Set it on a flat, non-flammable surface.
- Keep paper, fabric and other flammables away.
Ventilate the room and stay with the stick while it burns.
Use the stick in a well-ventilated room. Open a window or door when conditions allow. EPA lists indoor combustion among sources of particulate matter and recommends ventilation when burning candles and incense. If the smoke bothers you, stop and air out the room.
EPA guidance on indoor particulate matter
Light, smolder and relight
1. Light one end
Hold the stick by its clean end and angle the far end about 45 degrees toward a match, lighter or candle flame. Keep the burning tip over the heatproof holder. The current printed user guide says to let the end burn for 30 seconds, then blow out the flame. Keep your hand, sleeve and other flammable items well away from the flame. If you use a candle, set it in a stable holder on the clear surface and never leave it burning unattended.
2. Blow out the flame and let the wood smolder
After 30 seconds, blow out the open flame. A small trail of smoke from the charred end means the wood is smoldering; it is still hot. Set it securely in the heat-safe holder when you are not holding it, and stay in the room.
3. Relight if it goes out
The smolder may fade or stop. That does not by itself mean the stick is defective. To relight, first wait until the glow and smoke have stopped and the stick has cooled completely. Do not touch the hot tip to check. Then hold the cool, clean end and repeat the lighting steps. Smoke, aroma and smolder time vary by piece and conditions, so there is no set session length.
Quick troubleshooting
| What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|
| The stick goes out soon after the flame is blown out | Relighting can be normal for natural wood. Repeat the lighting step if you want to continue, and keep the stick attended. |
| The smoke feels too strong | Stop burning the stick. Ventilate the room when outdoor conditions allow, and use it another time only if the smoke is comfortable for you. |
| You see little smoke | Check whether the tip is still smoldering. If it has gone out and you want to continue, relight it using the same steps. |
| The aroma seems faint | Scent varies by piece and room. Follow the 30-second lighting step; it is not a target smoldering time. |
| The holder does not catch the ash | Stop using the stick. Keep it attended on a stable, heat-safe surface away from anything that can burn until it is fully out and cold. Use a holder that catches ash before burning again. |
Finish safely and store the wood
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service gives general incense safety advice to douse the hot tip in water until it is fully out, then break off the tip. This is not Palo Santo-specific testing. To stop before the stick burns down, douse the hot tip in water until it is fully out. London Fire Brigade says to wait until it is out and cold before disposal or storage. Store the cool wood in a dry place.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service incense safety guidance
A quiet ritual, if you want one
If you like, make the moment a pause in your day. No special ritual is required.
Common questions
How long should Palo Santo smolder?
The printed guide does not set a target session length. Pieces vary, and the stick may go out and be relit. Stay with it until it is fully extinguished.
Can I leave a smoldering stick unattended?
No. Rest it securely in the heat-safe holder and stay in the room while it smolders.
4 comments
I love your product and wondered if you might have some freebies or deals
Thank you letting me know all the different applications and love your Palo Santo. Keep bringing us great info and quality products.
Thank you for the excellent background information on Palo Santo wood. I have ordered several times and will continue to do so. Interestingly, the very things that this wood targets are several conditions I struggle with. Apparently, prior to knowing the details my body knew what it needed and was drawn to. This has happened to me before with other oils/scents. I use this in my writing area for my dissertation and it helps with the stress/anxiety. Sinus issues improve and I am using this regularly for easing arthritis pain.
Thank you for a source that is environmentally and spiritually respectful.
Thank you for this information. I given this information to friends.