You get one hexagonal box of palo santo HEM incense sticks from the Ritual Botanica series. The light, natural-toned box is decorated with botanical drawings, which sets it apart from HEM’s black boxes. Made in India.
What does “smudge” on the box mean?
On the box you will read “Smudge Incense sticks”. Smudging is the custom of carrying the smoke of dried plants or resins through the home to clear the space, as tradition has it. The series name, Ritual Botanica, roughly means ritual plants.
Besides palo santo, we stock the series in patchouli, white sage, sandalwood, jasmine, and frankincense with myrrh. Each scent has its own box colour, with a similar drawing of flowers and berries on every box.
Palo santo in stick form
Palo santo is a South American tree whose Spanish name means “holy wood”. It smells woody and slightly sweet. A piece of palo santo wood has to be relit several times, while a stick smoulders all the way down in its holder on its own. If you love palo santo but want something easier to use, the stick form suits you.
Many people light it before guests arrive or when the seasons change. If you do not have a stick holder yet, you will find wooden and soapstone incense holders in our shop.
While it burns
Stand the stick in a heat-resistant holder, away from curtains and paper. Do not leave it while it smoulders. To put it out early, press the ember into sand or an ashtray and check that it has stopped smoking. Air the room afterwards.