Spring is usually thought of as cleaning season, and as we’re moving towards spring, I do have renewal and organization on my mind. One of my favorite ways of honoring the changing seasons and welcoming good energy into my home is with smudge sticks.
Smudging uses handheld bundles of dried herbs and flowers, which are then bound in twine and burned. The smoke is said to help purify the air and invite good energy into the home. It’s also a great way to put those herbs leftover from that viral recipe you made last week.
DIY Smudge Sticks
When burned, smudge sticks give off a resinous smoke, which is said to burn up toxic energy and bring things back into balance. While frequently used to cleanse places, smudging can also be used to cleanse people and objects. Aside from an increased sense of calmness, the benefits also include increased well-being, clarity, optimism and physical energy.
There are lots of different herbs traditionally used for smudging, but some are easier to find than others. Some of my favorite easy-to-find herbs include:
Sage – is revered as one of the most sacred herbs in smudging practices, renowned for instilling peace and tranquility.
Cedar – another popular choice, is often employed for its properties of renewal, protection, and grounding during smudging ceremonies.
Rosemary – with its aromatic allure, is a go-to herb for promoting mental acuity and purification.
Rose – symbolizing love and luck, is typically burned in rituals associated with matters of the heart, grief, and healing.
Lavender – known for its calming fragrance, is chosen to cultivate peace of mind and induce restfulness.
Frankincense – a resin with ancient significance, is frequently burned to convey prayers and intentions to the divine.
Eucalyptus – known for its invigorating scent, adds a relaxing, spa-like ambiance to any space when used in smudge sticks.
It’s best to use smudge sticks after having just cleaned and sanitized your home. Once you’ve gotten rid of physical impurities like dirt and dust, walk through each room with your smudge stick to cleanse the energies and leave your home feeling fresh both physically and spiritually.
DIY Smudge Sticks
Ingredients
- 4 - 5 rose buds or lavender sprigs
- Roughly 15 sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme
- scissors
- twine
Instructions
- Start by trimming your flowers and herbs to size. Secure a long piece of twine around the base of your herb bundle and continue wrapping it until you reach the top. You want to make sure to wrap the twine as tightly as you can so that it stays bound when the flowers dry and shrink.
- When you reach the top, tie your twine securely and trim the excess. Trim off any herbs that happen to be sticking out of the bundle.
- Set your smudge stick aside and allow it to dry for at least two weeks.
- To use, light your dried smudging stick with a lighter or match.
- Starting at the Eastern most room of your home, circle around the room clockwise, wafting the smoke as you go.
- Continue moving in a clockwise direction through the rest of your home, purifying each room similarly.
- Finally, extinguish the smoke under either running water and set it aside to dry. You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn.
Crysti Couture says
I tried making a smudge stick before from sage and found that the innermost part of the bundle rotten pretty badly. Ended up throwing away that stick because I wasn’t going to burn mold. Have you experienced mold inside a bundle? Any way to prevent this?
Lorraine says
I don’t know if that was a small blue stone she made from the cedar leaves . Titles would make it easier. Thank you
Jennifer says
Every religion and spiritual rite in the world is a available to all people except somehow not “smudging?”
alberta B says
Unless these items are gifted by an elder or you are indigenous this is considered appropriation. Stop teaching these traditions.
CRYSTAL POERTNER says
This is used by many traditionally. Also if teaching stops these things will be lost. Research is your friend.
lavender says
please don’t use the term ‘smudge sticks’ instead use ‘smoke cleansing sticks/bundles’ because smudging is a closed practice specific to many Native American tribes and it’s not for us to use or appropriate.
Molly B says
🤦♀️
Jessica says
And what’s described here is NOT smudging.
Bit says
-_-
CRYSTAL POERTNER says
Research is your friend smudging is done by more than just the native Americans and has been for thousands of years.
marianne says
Interesting. A native elder just yesterday invited anyone to smudge. As in any prayer, intention is key. Also, it was stated that one is never to extinguish the bundle. It will subside when it is time. Do not however leave it unattended until it is done.
Eeicka says
Thanks for this info. I’m going to make my own smudge sticks this weekend.