What is the Purification Rituals collection?

Purification Rituals brings together Palo Santo, White Sage, aromatic resins and Ritual Sticks, materials traditionally burned to prepare, refresh and shift the atmosphere of a space.

The collection moves from raw woods, leaves and resins to ready-to-light formats, allowing you to choose between a more traditional hands-on ritual and a simpler everyday way of experiencing the same aromatic materials.

Each format keeps the material itself at the center of the experience, with its own scent, smoke and way of burning.

How do I choose between Palo Santo, White Sage, aromatic resins and Ritual Sticks?

Choose based on the kind of experience you want.

·        Palo Santo: for a warm, wood-based ritual with a simple light-and-smolder method.

·        White Sage: for a traditional smudging experience with a herbal aroma and more noticeable smoke.

·        Aromatic Resins: for the deepest, most direct experience of the raw material, using charcoal or a resin burner.

·        Ritual Sticks: for traditional aromatic materials in an easy, ready-to-light format with no loose resin or separate charcoal required.

For ease: Ritual Sticks
For a wood ritual: Palo Santo
For traditional smudging: White Sage
For the deepest raw-material experience: Aromatic Resins

Why are White Sage, Palo Santo and frankincense associated with purification?

Aromatic woods, leaves and resins have been burned for centuries to prepare and refresh spaces for ritual, prayer and everyday life. Some of those traditions are also beginning to meet modern research.

White Sage has a long documented history of ceremonial purification, and its natural compounds have shown antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies. Frankincense goes a step further: studies of Boswellia sacra smoke have demonstrated activity against airborne bacteria, yeast and mold. Palo Santo essential oil has also shown antimicrobial activity against certain microorganisms in laboratory testing.

The evidence is not the same for every material, and purification does not mean sterilization. Burning natural materials still produces smoke.

For OLFA, Purification Rituals brings together materials traditionally used to prepare, refresh and change the atmosphere of a space, while respecting both what tradition tells us and what research can actually support.

How do I burn Palo Santo?

Light one end of the Palo Santo stick and let the flame catch for about 20–30 seconds, then blow it out and allow the wood to smolder.

Place it in a fire-resistant holder or carry it carefully through the space, allowing the aromatic smoke to disperse. Palo Santo may naturally stop smoldering after a short time; simply relight it when you want more smoke.

When finished, make sure the ember is completely extinguished.

How do I burn White Sage?

Light the tip of the White Sage bundle and allow the flame to catch briefly, then gently blow it out so the leaves begin to smolder.

Hold it over a fire-resistant bowl or dish to catch loose ash and embers. You can leave it in one place or carefully move through the space, allowing the smoke to circulate naturally.

White Sage will usually stop smoldering on its own after a few minutes. Once it has gone out, check that there is no remaining glow before setting it aside.

How do I burn natural aromatic resins?

Place a small amount of resin on a fully heated charcoal disc inside a heat-resistant resin burner. Use tongs when handling charcoal and allow it to become properly hot before adding the resin.

Start with only a few small pieces. As they heat, the resin will soften and release its aroma. Add more only when needed.

Resins can also be warmed more gently with an electric resin burner.

Do I need charcoal to burn resin?

No.

Charcoal is the traditional method and gives a hotter, more intense experience with more visible smoke.

An electric resin burner warms the resin without placing it directly on burning charcoal, giving you more control over the heat and generally a gentler aromatic experience.

Both methods work; the choice depends on how you want to experience the material.

What is the difference between burning resin on charcoal and using an electric resin burner?

Charcoal gives the resin strong, direct heat. The aroma appears quickly, with a fuller smoke presence and a more traditional ritual.

An electric burner allows the resin to warm more gradually. The heat can be controlled, making it easier to explore the aroma with less smoke and without preparing charcoal first.

Neither is the “correct” method. They simply reveal the material differently.

How much resin should I use at one time?

Start small.

A few small pieces are usually enough to experience the aroma. Adding too much at once does not necessarily give you a better scent and can create more smoke than you need.

Let the first amount warm before deciding whether to add more.

Why does natural resin produce more smoke than an incense stick?

Loose resin is much more concentrated and is usually placed directly over a strong heat source.

As it heats, its aromatic compounds are released while part of the material also begins to thermally break down, especially when used directly on charcoal. The amount of resin, the type of resin and the heat all influence how much smoke you see.

If you prefer a gentler experience, use less resin or warm it gradually on an electric burner.

Can I combine different resins or aromatic materials?

Yes.

Resins such as frankincense, myrrh and copal can be combined to create a different aromatic experience, and small amounts of woods or other suitable aromatic materials can also be explored alongside them.

Start with small quantities so you can understand what each material contributes before adjusting the blend.

Why can natural resins vary in color, shape and size?

Natural resin is an exudate from a tree, not a standardized manufactured material.

Its color, clarity, size and shape can vary with the species, origin, harvest and the individual resin tears or pieces collected. Even resin from the same botanical source will not always look identical.

These variations are part of working with the material in its natural form.

How should I store Palo Santo, White Sage and natural resins?

Keep all materials in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity.

Palo Santo can remain in its original packaging. White Sage should be kept completely dry and allowed some airflow to prevent trapped moisture. Natural resins are best stored in a closed container to protect their aroma and keep them free from dust.

Proper storage helps preserve the materials as closely as possible to their natural aroma and condition.