Scent Energy

How one mystical aroma has made a comeback as a modern-day "wellness fragrance." WH explores the power of palo santo.

- By Melanie Rud

As aromatherapists, perfumers, and the specter of Cleopatra will tell you, perfume is so much more than a personal accessory.

Throughout history, certain fragrances have been harnessed for their mystical properties. The Egyptians reportedly used thyme, cedar, and myrrh in burial ceremonies, believing they could aid in the journey to the afterlife. The Romans spritzed scents to ward off evil spirits, and in the Middle Ages, fragrant oils were believed to have healing powers.

Flash forward to today, and we're once again turning to scent for more than simply smelling good. “In the midst of significant turmoil and anxiety, fragrance can serve as a comforting force,” says Walter Johnsen, vice president of product development at Interparfums.

And there may be no better example of this than palo santo, a name you may have heard before. The term refers to the wood from trees of the same name, native to South and Central American countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. “The name translates to ‘holy wood,’ and it produces a smoky, rich-scented resin that’s still used by Indigenous peoples for spiritual and medicinal purposes,” says Giselle Wasfie, DACM, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. “Ancient rituals involved using palo santo to help clear negative energy and alleviate stress, and it has inspired Westerners to explore using it for similar purposes.”