The species is called Bulnesia sarmientoi, and is found in the semiarid zone of the Chaco eco-region, which in Argentina corresponds to the provinces of Chaco, Formosa and Salta.

Palo Santo is one of the great treasures of the South American jungle. Because of its intense aroma, it was considered sacred by ancient cultures, who burned pieces of the trunk in shamanic rituals to better communicate with the gods. Long ago, when communities of indigenous peoples inhabited this territory peacefully, they honored the wait to use the tree. They did not cut it down. For its benefits to be truly effective, the tree had to die naturally and had to rest like that for four to ten years so that the oil that is formed during that time could then be used in rituals and ceremonies.

Today, Wichi artisans return to the forest to collect old fallen trees, thus ensuring their conservation, and repeat the ritual of shaping the wood, imprinting it with symbolic, creative and artistic values. The objects are carved from unique pieces, and are an invaluable part of the community's cultural identity.