Herbs used for Smudging

There are many ways to smudge and a variety of different herbs may be used. When the herbs used for smudging are tied into a bundle and allowed to dry they are called a "smudge stick". In traditional societies the herbs used for smudging are considered sacred and the smudge stick is treated with great respect.

These are some of the plants that can be used for smudging along
with their spiritual properties.

Desert Sage (Artemesia tridentata). This plant will drive out
negative energies, spirits and influences. Use this as a smudge to
purify people and places before any sacred ceremony. Primarily air element though can also be used as for four-element general purposes. Has a somewhat sharp, light and refreshing scent. One of the most sacred herbs among Native Americans. Used to purify the mind, body and spirit before prayer, meditation, ritual or ceremony. Also used to purify sacred items such as pipes, magical tools, tarot decks and eagle feathers. Can be used for area, house and personal cleansings. Some people carry a small amount of Sage in a pocket or medicine pouch to insure personal and spiritual safety.


Cedar (Libocedrus descurrens, Thuja occidentalis). This plant can
also be used to purify, especially for negative emotions. Cedar is burned while praying either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to the Creator. Cedar is also spread along with sage on the floor of the sweat lodges of some tribes. Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy; but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.


Sweetgrass (Hierochole odarata) This is one of the most sacred herbs
used for smudging. This herb is used to bring positive energy in
after negative energies are banished by using this. Primarily air element. As its name suggests, sweetgrass produces a sweet and light fragrance. Excellent for cleansing sacred space. Sweetgrass is a rare grass which is found growing wild in very few places. Traditionally, sweetgrass is believed to invite the good spirits.


White Sage (Salvia apiana) This sage is used just like desert sage,
but many people prefer White Sage because of the sweeter aroma it
gives off.

Lavender (Lavandula officianalis) This herb will restore balance and
create a peaceful atmosphere. It will also draws loving energy and
spirits. Primarily air element. Has a light, aromatic and refreshing scent. Useful for attracting peace, happiness and restful sleep. Also reduces depression, grief and sorrow. Aids in meditation and divination, and often said to aid in manifestation. Known as Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike and Lavender. Traditionally associated with fairies and elves.

Mugwort (Atemesia vulgarus) This herb can used to stimulate psychic
awareness and prophetic dreams. The Lakota also believe that when
Mugwort is burned it "makes the bad spirits sick", and they move
away from it.

Copal (Bereseru microphylla) This resin was used by the Mayans as a
food for the Gods. They believe that as the smoke of the Copal would
rise, it would carry their prayers to the ears of the Gods. Copal is
used in divination and in purification ceremonies. Copal is the
Frankincense of the Western Hemisphere. Primarily fire and water elements though can also be used as for four-element general purposes. When burned, the scent is sweet, resinous, slightly woody, mildly earthy and spicy. Was a holy incense used by the peoples of Mesoamerica. The resin contains aromatic chemicals called terpenes. Used by Mayan shamans prior to ingesting mushrooms.


Juniper (Juniperus ssp.) This herb is also used to purify and to
create a safe and sacred space. Juniper was often carried in a
medicine pouch or a pocket for protection. Primarily fire element though can also be used as for four-element general purposes. Has a sharp, piney scent. Excellent to stimulate and revive when tired in body, mind or Spirit. Used in ancient times for ritual purification of temples. Smoke believed to aid clairvoyance. Also useful for purification and to stimulate contact with other worlds. Burned during the Plague to resist disease.

Frankincense ResinPrimarily fire element though can  also be used as for four-element general purposes. Is the resin of an African  tree and produces a rich, dense smoke when burned. Used extensively in  meditation and healing. In numerous religious traditions, frankincense's  spiritual scent was believed to confer divine blessing. Pliny the Elder  mentioned it as an antidote to hemlock poisoning.

Rose Flowers and  PetalsPrimarily water element. Produces a heavy, warm, aromatic scent  with just a hint of sharpness ñ scent lasts a long time after burning. Excellent  for meditation, divination, increasing psychic abilities, contacting powers and  beings in other dimensions ad psychic communication. Also traditionally  associated with attracting love, conferring peace, stimulating sexual appetites  and enhancing beauty.


Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicus) This herb can be used to
purify and to set and protect boundaries. The name of this plant
reflects it's nature. Yerba Santa means sacred herb. Traditionally used for enhancing psychic abilities, magical protection, healing and spiritual strength. Excellent for meditation and divination. Said to be ruled by the moon. One Native American tribe rolled the leaves into balls, dried it in the sun and chewed it for a natural mouthwash

Osha (Ligusticum porteri) The root of this plant can be burned as an
incense or carried for good luck and protection from bad influences.
Osha is also a preferred gift for Native American elders.

Sandalwood comes from the heart of certain trees in Asia, including India, where it has been burned for centuries as an aid in reaching a meditative state.

Myrrh ResinPrimarily earth element though can also  be used as for four-element general purposes. Produces a lot of smoke when  burned, very earthy, piney scent. Gathered from an almost leafless Middle  Eastern shrub called the Commiphora Molmol. It was used by the ancient Egyptians  in rituals of Healing and Passing. It is one of the ingredients used by the  Egyptians to embalm bodies. Useful for spirituality, meditation, happiness,  release, transformation, strength, confidence and  stability.

Pinon  ResinPrimarily fire element though can also be used as for four-element general purposes. Has a pleasant and meditative fragrance. Is cleansing, strengthening, warming, and used by Native American cultures for its spiritual  and healing properties. Produces a thick stream of smoke, and is excellent for  refreshing the senses and reviving a tired soul.

You can burn these herbs singly or in combination with each other. One good combination that covers all four magical elements of air, fire, water and earth is pine resin and sage (either desert sage or white broadleaf sage). This combination is appropriate for general use, cleansing, ceremony and ritual.
 

How to Smudge

Any action, undertaken with intention and belief can become a potent ritual so consider your intention before you smudge and hold it clearly in your mind. You may wish to invite the spirit of the herbs to join you and guide and assist with your intention.

A candle flame is recommended to light the smudge stick as it may take a little time to get the stick smoking. Once there's a flame blow it out so that the smudge stick is smoldering, not burning. Blow or wave the flame with your hand to put out the fire. Allow the smudge stick to smolder, freeing the smoke to circle in the air.

Smudging yourself

Smudging yourself is easy. If you're using a smudge stick, light the smudge stick on a candle flame. Hold the stick in the flame until there is a lot of smoke and the stick is burning well (thatís why a candle is better than a matchóit can take a while to get the stick really smoking). Using a feather (or feather fan) or your hand, gently fan the smoke onto your body, starting at the top of the body and moving downward. Get the back of your body as best you can (it is often easier to use a smudge pot and loose herbs for this). When youíre done, inhale a little of the smoke (just a little!) to purify your insides.

If you're using a smudge pot or Firebowl and loose herbs, light the herbs (using self-lighting charcoalónot the barbeque kind!) until it is smoking well. Then, put the Firebowl on the ground and stand over it with your legs spread and feet on either side. Weave back and forth in the smoke until you have been thoroughly cleansed. Clothing is optional for this approach, and smudging in the nude is recommended for a more thorough cleansing. Again, when youíre done, inhale a little of the smoke to purify your insides. People often feel more relaxed, lighter and brighter after smudging.

If you're going to use the smudge smoke during meditation, use a charcoal burner or Firebowl, light the herbs and enjoy the scent and smoke as you meditate. Meditating with these herbs often produces a deeper and longer-lasting state of relaxation and contemplation.
 

Smudging another

It is often appropriate to smudge guests as they enter the space at a ritual, ceremony or special event. Smudge as if you were smudging yourself, fanning the smoke all over their body. You may want to speak an intention or a suggestion for the smudging as you do it. For instance "Allow the sacred smoke to cleanse your body and spirit and bring you present and available into this moment"

Smudging a room or space

Light the smudge stick and walk about the perimeter, giving special attention to the corners and the places behind doors. You can also fan the smoke throughout the room with a large feather.

During healing work

During healing work, the smoke may be fanned over the person either by your hand or with feathers. This clears out unhealthy energies and brings in the special attributes of the herbs. You may also direct smudge to each of the person's chakras and as you do so visualize each chakra coming into balance as it is purified by the smudge.

Cleansing crystals or other objects

Hold the objects to be purified in the smoke or fan the smoke over them. If you are clearing your crystals prior to programming them thank both them and the smudge stick for helping you to realize your goals.

Extinguishing the smudge stick

Have ready a fireproof receptacle such as a shell or a glass or ceramic dish to put the smudge stick in when you've finished. It's ideal to damp the stick out in sand, or earth or you can just press it against the bottom of the receptacle. Always make sure that a smudge stick is out before leaving the room where you keep it. Never burn near anyone with allergies or asthma.

Buying a smudge stick

If you'd like to experience the benefits of a smudging ritual yourself you can purchase a smudge stick on-line.

Smudge Stick Making

ByTephyr tephyr@taconic.net

You will need:

• a Sushi Mat or newspaper sheet folded in half or a soft piece of leather about 12" x 18".
• Thin but sturdy string; I use embroidery floss, pulled apart so it is 3 strands each. I use the colors to code the ingredients and remind me of what is in each one.
• Garden clippers to cut the herbs as you work come in real handy
• Plant material.

Cut small branches of plants in about 7 - 10 inch lengths. How much you harvest depends on the size of the branches and how many sticks you want. I pile every thing in a big basket, surround myself with my supplies, a cool glass of herbal tea, some munchies (healthy of course :-) ) and sit in the shade in The Garden and roll the afternoon away.

• Take a few branches... or sometimes just one; ending again on size and shape.
• Take a length of string and measure two and a half times the length of the branches.
• Hold it in your hand (left hand for righties, right hand for lefties), so that the ends of the branches are facing upwards and the tips downward. (Your thumb and forefinger are in an upwards position)
• With your other hand wrap a small amount around the base of the branches, tightly to hold them together.
• Begin, in a downward, motion, to wrap around and around the branch. Pulling the string tightly, but not too tightly; just be firm.
• When you get to the end, reverse direction and wrap again going back towards the ends of the branches. It will look "Zig zaggy".
• When you get back to the end; wrap the string around again and then tie the two ends together.
• Take the wrapped branch, (which is basically a Smudge Stick already, you just need to roll it to firm it up some more) and place about a quarter way up on the sushi mat.
• Fold the short end of the mat up over the stick so it
• In an upward motion, begin to roll the mat over the stick, so that inside the mat the stick is rolling.You needn’t roll really hard, just keep a firm, even pressure.
• When you run out of mat; you have a smudge stick.
• Trim as needed to make it look neat. I find "flat" ends light better, so I trim the end.
• Place it on a screen or I use flat baskets to dry. Shouldn’t take too long; a week at the most. But it depends on the humidity of your weather; more or less.
• Remember to keep it firm but not tight. If your sticks are rolled too tight they won’t dry properly or even if they do they will be hard to burn. If you roll to loosely it will fall apart when dry.

Never burn near anyone with allergies or asthma.