Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a woody essential oil with a sweet, resinous aroma and a base note. Steam distillation from wood, it is a versatile blending oil that pairs well with Frankincense (Carterii), Cedarwood (Atlas), Sandalwood (Australian). For topical use, keep dilution at or below 5%.
Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) is a woody essential oil, steam-distilled from the wood, produced in Ecuador and Peru. Its aroma is sweet, resinous, sitting as a base note in a blend. It's commonly paired with Frankincense (Carterii), Cedarwood (Atlas), Sandalwood (Australian), Myrrh. Keep topical use at or below 5%. Always patch-test first.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Traditional aromatherapy associations
Traditional associations only — not medical claims or evidence of efficacy.
Properties
| Perfumery note | Base |
| Aroma family | Woody |
| Chemical family | Monoterpenol |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | wood |
| Origin | Ecuador, Peru |
| Blending factor | 5 |
| Volatility index | 4 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 12.0 |
Safety & dilution
| Max topical dilution | 5% |
| Max facial dilution | 2.5% |
| Pregnancy | No specific caution recorded |
| Nursing | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
| Children | Generally suitable, well diluted (from ~6 years) |
| Cats | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
| Dogs | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
Get the right drops-per-bottle with the drops & dilution calculator.
Blends well with
Frequently asked questions
What does Palo Santo smell like?
Palo Santo has a sweet, resinous aroma, classed as a woody oil with a base note.
What is the safe dilution for Palo Santo?
For topical use, keep Palo Santo at or below 5%, and 2.5% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Palo Santo safe to use during pregnancy?
Our dataset records no specific pregnancy caution for Palo Santo. That is not the same as it being established as safe — always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oil during pregnancy.
Is Palo Santo safe to use around children?
Palo Santo is generally considered suitable for children when well diluted (from around 6 years old). Consult a professional for young children.
Is Palo Santo safe around pets?
For cats — generally lower-risk when well diluted and diffused sparingly; dogs — generally lower-risk when well diluted. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.
What does Palo Santo blend well with?
Palo Santo pairs well with Frankincense (Carterii), Cedarwood (Atlas), Sandalwood (Australian), Myrrh, Lavender.