palo santo

[ pal-oh san-toh ]

noun

1. a South American tree, Bulnesia sarmienti, of the caltrop family, yielding a fragrant essential oil.
2. a tropical American tree, Triplaris americana, of the buckwheat family, having large leaves and showy red female flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of palo santo¹

From Latin American Spanish: literally, “holy wood”

Example Sentences

It sells a variety of items, including palo santo and sage candles, crystals, and juice detox plans that start at $110.

From Los Angeles Times

Do you really burn palo santo around the theater?

From New York Times

This pretty kit contains mountain sage, frankincense, myrrh and white copal resin; a Selenite stick; crystals and a palo santo stick for smudging.

From Seattle Times

The scent inside the Spa is palo santo.

From Los Angeles Times

In unison, the brotherhood of Black men breathed in and out together as the sweet smell of palo santo incense rode the resonant sound bath waves through the room.

From Los Angeles Times