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’s such a cliché, but I’ve got this sunset out my window and my palo santo.

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I think that’s the first place I ever smelled palo santo being burned, and I was like, “I’m going to buy that!”

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

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Do you really burn palo santo around the theater?

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

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