Palo Santo : Sacred Wood Incense

Palo Santo is a mystical tree t,hat grows near the coast of South America and is related to Frankincense, Myrrh and Copal.  In Spanish, the name translates to “Holy Wood - Tree of Life." Palo Santo is traditionally used to purify bacteria from the air and, above all, to clear bad energy and spirits that stagnate within spaces. It is also commonly used for relieving common colds, flu symptoms, stress, asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression, inflammation, emotional pain, and more. And Anima Mundi's palo santo is 100% ethically harvested from Peru. They work directly with a small native family from the Lambayeque - Región Chiclayo in northern Peru. They ethically harvest from naturally fallen and aged trees (minimum of four years), while replanting in the wild. The family Anima Mundi works with have been stewards of this preserved land for generations, and have been caretaking these trees in a sacred and ceremonial manner for 100+ years.

100% ethically harvest palo santo

Use a candle, match or lighter to ignite your stick of Palo Santo. Hold at about a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down toward the flame. Allow it to burn for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then blow out. Move about your workspace, home, car, bathroom or anywhere you would like to clear the energy. The rich smell will also bring peace and clarity to the moment along with good feelings. When finished, place the stick in a fire proof bowl of metal, glass or clay. The glow will end on its own unless you blow on the ember which will keep the smoke going. Always use caution and respect when working with fire.

Founded by herbalist, medicine maker, and educator Adriana Ayales, Anima Mundi’s mission is to bridge ancient remedies to the modern world and to continuously source pristine, unadulterated and wholesome medicines for mind, body, and soul wellness.

Originally from Costa Rica, Adriana moved to Brooklyn with a mission to bridge remedies from native people within Central and South America, to modern day needs and imbalances. Her heart was to create a true farm-to-pharmacy experience through the art of medicine making with herbs. Anima Mundi offers a wide spectrum of remedies and plants from around the world: integrating from several traditions that Adriana has studied over the years, such as rainforest tribal styles, Ayurveda, Chinese-Daoist Medicine, and European-style alchemy. She believes that by preserving these ancient forms of indigenous botany, we keep alive a very sacred aspect to our source. 

Adriana focused and studied on both Central and South American tribal style herbalism, studying with plant medicine teachers in Costa Rica, the Amazon, and California. She then went on to study classic Western and European herbalism, and trained as a clinical herbalist at different herbal schools, continuing on to cultivate a private practice in California and NYC. She studied astrology, cosmology, and consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and immersed herself in the study of medical astrology, and biodynamics. Shortly after, she founded Anima Mundi Herbals in NYC to not only integrate native traditions and ancient formulations, but also to help preserve indigenous lands and their local economies through organic agriculture and wildcrafted goods. And to this day, Anima Mundi’s ethos center around supporting true fair-trade practices, beyond organic farming, education, and small farmers to create remedies that benefit people from all walks of life.