Smudging: an ancient gift

Smudging is the act of burning certain plants since their smoke kills bacteria, clears positive ions from the air, induces calm and relieves stress. How does smudging work?

Photo Aromatic Medicine School

I can’t imagine my life without smudging. If you haven’t tried smudging your house or yourself yet, I suggest you start going about it this weekend. Here’s a link to get you started: Sage on Amazon and you’ll find two short video tutorials on how to smudge down below.

Smudging is the practice of burning specific plants to transform. It’s an ancient act that’s been performed across the globe by different cultures for millennia, including in Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe.

Across all our Earth, smudging has been called upon for a variety of positive purposes: to heal, to harmonize, and to connect with other dimensions. It sounds New Age, but western science has come to explain part of how smudging works.

Scientific Explanation of Smudging

Studies show that burning medicinal herbs like Salvia officinalis (sage) can reduce airborne bacteria by up to 94% when it’s burned for 24 hours.

Smudging releases negative ions into the air. These take over the positive ions in a space, which are related to stress and anxiety. Smudging is a way to neutralize.

The smoke releases volatile oils like thujone and borneol, which have antimicrobial and calming effects. These compounds interact with the brain’s GABA receptors, the same system influenced by anti-anxiety medications.

So yes—smudging can purify air and calm the nervous system. Just keep in mind it’s also a spiritual channel for ancient cultures. Smudging is a way to connect with divinity, if you’re interested.

Interesting background information:

I recommend you burn white sage if you live in North America. It’s easy to find since it’s a plant native to the region. Indigenous North American tribes, especially the Lakotah, are well known for incorporating smudging white sage as a ritual to heal, harmonize, and transform themselves. Here’s an interesting and very short video about it:

In Siberia, native peoples burn juniper to clear a space for a ceremony and connect with the spirit world. Native hunters, gatherers and foresters had and continue to have ample perception and knowledge of plants.

In Africa burning frankincense is a way to induce calmness, concentration, and devotion in prayer. Their practice is so old, it’s even recorded in an infamous historical scene: the birth of Jesus. One of the three Magi gifted Jesus frankincense, which was valued just as much as another of their gifts: gold.

How to smudge?

If you’re using a smudge stick, use a lighter or a match to light the sage stick and blow into the firelight. Air strengthens and increases the amount of smoke that comes from it. Wave the stick into the air all around your space as your walk through it.

My preferred method uses embers from a fire. Place an ember into a suitable bowl that can be burned, such as a clay or ceramic one, and some leaves or resin on top of the ember. Smoke will naturally begin to elevate towards the air. You can blow into the embers to induce burning.

Here’s another great and short video on how to smudge: