Freshen up your life with the cleansing power of herbal incense!
Smudging is the use of the natural qualities of aromatic plants to freshen up your life & home. Smudging is done to remove bad energy and bring a feeling of peace and clarity. Most people can tell when a place just doesn’t “feel” right. Smudging is said to remedy that.
The ritual of smudging can be thought of as "spiritual house cleaning." It’s not witchcraft, it’s all about good intentions. The practice itself does not require any specific religious beliefs. The burning of herbs for emotional, psychic, and spiritual purification is common practice among many religious, healing, and spiritual groups. The use of incense smoke is practiced in almost all forms of worship.
For centuries, the simple tradition of smudging in which palo santo, sage and other cleansing plants are burned has been used by a multitude of spiritual faiths, including Hindus, Buddhists and indigenous cultures in North and South America. Today, smudging is commonly practiced by a variety of seekers from all walks of life all over the globe, people just looking to attract and maintain good vibes in their lives.
So how does smudging work? The clarifying smoke released from smudging herbs emits negative ions that are said to uplift moods and purify the environment, rooms and even people from negative energy. Think of how you wash your hands before the start of a meal, smudging is the act of cleansing your energy and your environment before you feed your soul with prayer, meditation or other spiritual rituals.
White Sage Smudge Sticks
Sage originates from the Latin word salvia, derivative of salvere, a Latin verb meaning “to feel well and healthy or to heal.” Since prehistoric times, generations of indigenous communities in North America have smudged with what is now known as salvia apiana, California white sage, also known as bee sage, or sacred sage in ritual, ceremony and prayer for grounding, protection and peace. It’s an is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
Palo Santo Smudge Sticks
As we wrote about here, Palo santo translates to “holy wood” in Spanish. This sweet, fragrant tree from South America belongs to the citrus family and was used by the Incas, Shamans and medicine people for energy clearing, healing and spiritual cleansing. When Spanish monks discovered the wood and experienced its ability to cleanse and heal, they named the tree “Palo Santo,” which means “holy stick” or “the wood of the saints.” The scientific name of this tree that grows in the South American rainforest is bursera graveolens, or “a bag of oil” and the naturally aromatic wood from this truly unique tree is used in several ways for energetic and healing purposes. Its primary use is to burn small Palo Santo sticks as incense.
The essential oil can only be extracted from dead trees and fallen branches using “Vapor Distillation” without the use of dangerous chemicals or solvents. When the wood is burned, it creates a pleasant, fresh smoke that works well in keeping away mosquitoes and other flying insects which is one of the prime uses for the people who live in Ecuador and Peru without the harsh chemicals of products such as DEET.
We make both White Sage Smudge Sticks wrapped with rose petals and Palo Santo Smudge Sticks wrapped with organic lavender. They will be featured in our Summer Package From Paradise Subscription Box and will are also available for individual purchase in our “Members Marketplace.”
How To Smudge
Put the end of the smudge stick to a flame using a match, lighter or or candle. Allow it to burn for approximately one minute or so. Extinguish the stick in a dish with sand to put out the fire. Don’t use water as you don’t want your smudge stick to grow mold, however it’s always good fire safety practice to have water or a fire extinguisher nearby anytime you are working with open flame. Allow the extinguished smudge stick to smolder, freeing the smoke to circle in the air. Fan the swirls of smoke with your hand or a feather as you walk around to smudge your surroundings. Be sure you are holding a heatproof bowl or shell underneath your smudge stick as you walk around. so no ash falls on furniture or the floor. Think positive thoughts, envision your surroundings with all negativity gone, and enjoy the calming experience.
One word of caution. Sage can be a pretty strong scent. You may want to open your windows before you smudge.