Why I Don’t Use Palo Santo for Cleansing (and What I Use Instead for Mala Beads + Crystals)
Palo Santo: Why I Don’t Use It in My Rituals (and What I Choose Instead)
People ask me this all the time:
“Can I use Palo Santo to cleanse my mala beads or crystals?”
My answer is: yes… but I don’t.
This isn’t a moral stance or a purity test. It’s a choice rooted in coherence: with the traditions that malas come from, with sustainability, and with the simple idea that spiritual practice should be respectful, not trendy.
If you’re here because you want a clear, practical guide (not drama), you’re in the right place.
What Palo Santo is (and why it matters)
Palo Santo usually refers to Bursera graveolens, a fragrant tree used in South American spiritual traditions for cleansing and blessing. That lineage is real, rich, and deserving of respect.
And that’s exactly why I pause.
Why I don’t use Palo Santo for cleansing mala beads and crystals
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Sustainability and supply chain issues
Even when a plant isn’t “rare,” demand can still create harm. Palo Santo has become a global wellness trend, and with trends come supply chains that are hard to verify.
A lot of Palo Santo is sold without clear sourcing, harvest methods, or ethical standards. Some suppliers do it right. Many don’t. As a maker who cares deeply about materials, I don’t want my rituals (or my recommendations) to depend on a chain I can’t truly trust.
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It’s often mislabeled or counterfeit
Just like crystals, the “spiritual market” has a counterfeit problem.
You’ll find:
-wood from different species sold as Palo Santo
-pieces that weren’t properly aged (so they burn poorly and smell “flat”)
-products infused with synthetic fragrance to mimic the aroma
If it’s extremely cheap, there’s usually a reason. And if it’s artificially scented, it can be irritating (or worse) when burned.
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It can be harsh for sensitive lungs (especially indoors)
Even if it’s genuine, burning aromatic wood releases intense compounds into the air. In small, unventilated rooms, that can trigger headaches, nausea, or respiratory irritation for some people.
If you have asthma, allergies, pets, kids, or you simply notice that smoke makes you feel “off,” I’d keep it out of your regular practice. A cleansing ritual should support your nervous system, not stress it.
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It’s not part of the mala’s spiritual roots
Palo Santo is frequently marketed as a “meditation tool,” but it’s not rooted in the traditions that malas come from (yogic, Hindu, Buddhist, Tibetan, Japanese).
Using it isn’t automatically wrong. But it can easily become unconscious spiritual mixing: collecting sacred objects from different cultures without really understanding their context.
Personally, I prefer to cleanse mala beads in ways that speak the same language as mantra, meditation, and devotion.
Why I made this choice
When I first started, I bought Palo Santo too. Most of us did. Then I learned more. Over time, I chose not to sell it and not to recommend it. I focus instead on trusted suppliers, natural, untreated stone and cleansing methods that are sustainable and aligned with the traditional use of mala beads
For me, spiritual practice isn’t about having the “right” object. It’s about integrity: doing things with intention, respect, and care.
What I use instead of Palo Santo (and why it works)
If you want to cleanse mala beads, crystals, and your space in a way that feels grounded and respectful, here are my go-to alternatives.
Natural incense (the tradition-aligned option)
Incense has been used for centuries in meditation and devotional practices, including Buddhist and yogic contexts.
Look for truly natural incense (not “perfume sticks”), especially: sandalwood, frankincense (olibanum), myrrh and benzoin.
Light it, let it smolder, and gently pass your mala or crystal through the smoke for a few seconds. Keep a window slightly open. More smoke is not “more spiritual.”
Selenite (my favorite no-smoke method)
Selenite is a staple in crystal care because it’s often used as a “clearing stone” for other crystals. It’s simple, quiet, and consistent—especially if you live in an apartment or you’re sensitive to smoke.
Place your mala or crystals on a selenite plate or in a selenite bowl for a few hours or overnight.
Moonlight cleansing (soft, cyclical, powerful)
Leaving your mala beads or crystals under the light of the full moon is one of the most accessible cleansing rituals.
Place them on a windowsill or outside overnight. In the morning, bring them in before direct sunlight (especially if you’re dealing with stones that fade).
Moonlight is gentle, symbolic, and beautifully connected to intention and rhythm.
Local herbs: rosemary, lavender, bay, garden sage
If you want a smoke-based cleanse that’s more sustainable and culturally rooted in the West, local herbs are a wonderful option.
These plants have long histories in European folk traditions of purification, protection, and renewal.
Burn a small dried sprig (slowly, safely), then waft the smoke around your space or pass your mala through it briefly. Always ventilate.
Sound cleansing (zero smoke, zero risk)
Sound is the cleanest option if you want to cleanse crystals and mala beads without heat, water, or smoke.
Use: a singing bowl, a bell, a tuning fork, your own voice (chanting, humming, mantra).
Hold your mala or place your crystals nearby, then play for 30–60 seconds with a steady intention.
A note that matters more than any tool
The most powerful cleanser is often the simplest: order, repetition, and intention.
Set your space.
Choose one method.
Do it the same way each time.
Let your nervous system recognize: we are coming back to center.
That’s cleansing.
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Quick FAQ
Can I use Palo Santo to cleanse mala beads?
You can, but I don’t recommend it as a default. Sourcing, cultural context, and smoke sensitivity are real factors. Natural incense, selenite, moonlight, or sound are more consistent options.
What’s the best way to cleanse mala beads for meditation?
For most people: natural incense (light smoke), selenite overnight, or sound cleansing. These are simple and aligned with traditional meditation practices.
Is selenite safe for cleansing crystals?
Selenite is commonly used as a clearing base. Just keep it dry—selenite can be damaged by water.
What if I can’t use smoke in my home?
Use selenite or sound. Both are smoke-free and effective, especially in apartments or shared spaces.
Discover the selenite bowl and other cleansing tools in my shop.