Rosewood Mala Beads Rosewood is warming, improves circulation and protects the user from negative energy. Your Mala will come to you in a beautiful bag for safe keeping. The word 'Mala' means 'Garland'. Mala beads can be made from wooden beads, seeds, semi-precious or precious stones or gems. Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning "garland" or "impurity." It is also the term for a string of beads that has been used by sages and those with spiritual aspirations for thousands of years. Yogis and Buddhists were the first to use mala to enhance their spiritual practices.