White Sage Smudge Stick Grown & sustainably harvested in California by Native American’s.
PRICE IS FOR 1 X 12cm (approx) SMUDGE STICK
Beware of cheap Mexican white sage which does not have the same clearing abilities.
Native American cultures use smudge sticks in spiritual ceremonies & to remove negative energies & spirits.
To use a smudge stick light the tip for around 30 seconds then blow out any flame & fan the stick with a feather or smudge wave, ensure to use a bowl or plate to catch ash residue.
I like to have a small bowl of salt handy to use to smother when done.
*** All Stilus Smudge Sticks are Chemical free ***
All of our Smudge are sustainably wild harvested & are not commercially grown.
Size – 5″/12cm (product size may vary slightly)
Burning sage, also known as smudging, is an ancient spiritual ritual.
Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups.
We have the traditions of many Native American peoples to thank for its use includeing the Lakota, Chumash, Cahuilla & more.
Burning sage can improve your overall well-being, some benefits can include
White prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is both antimicrobial & antibacterial. White sage (Salvia apiana) is also antimicrobial, both have been shown to repel insects.
It is believed that burning sage clears out spiritual impurities, pathogens, & even insects have been fundamental to the practice of smudging.
It turns out that sage may help clear the air of lots more than bugs & bacteria.
Though scientifically unproven, burning sage is thought to release negative ions which is said to help neutralise positive ions.
Positive ions are allergens such as:
- pet dander
- pollution
- dust
- mold
If this is the case, burning sage may be a blessing for those with allergies, asthma, bronchitis & other respiratory conditions.
Be careful though as directly inhaling the smoke during the smudging can aggravate any respiratory condition.
Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition.
For healers & laypeople in traditional cultures, burning sage is used to achieve a healing state or to solve or reflect upon spiritual dilemmas.
This may have some scientific basis, too. Certain types of sage, including salvia sage & white prairie sage both contain thujone & research shows that thujone is mildly psychoactive, which is a chemical substance that changes brain function & results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.
It’s actually found in many plants used in cultural spiritual rituals to enhance intuition.
Smudging may also be used as a ritual tool to rid yourself or your space of negativity. This includes past traumas, bad experiences, or negative energies from others.
This may help you establish a positive environment for meditation or any other ritual.
Choosing to sit and let go of negative thoughts in a ritual like this sets your intention & dedication to self-improvement. Choosing to engage in ritual can be the beginning of your change in mindset.
Burning sage creates fragrant smoke central to smudging’s benefits. You can use white sage smudge sticks to smudge yourself, crystals, tarot deck & specific spaces & objects.
This can be useful with new purchases, gifts, or even secondhand items. However, any item can be smudged.
If you have any concern with negative history or energy attached to a new or unfamiliar object, smudging may help bring peace of mind & make the object more sacred to you.
Tradition suggests that smudging can literally lift one’s spirits to banish negativity. Some research supports this.
In 2014 study documented white prairie sage (also known as estafiate) as an important traditional remedy for treating depression, anxiety, & mood disorders in certain cultures.
Smudging has been traditionally used to safeguard against negativity that could interfere with sleep.
Some research suggests that sage contains compounds that could help ease insomnia.
Classic garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is sometimes burned like white sage. It’s also been used to improve sleep & soothe anxiety.
If burning sage can lift one’s mood, it could also be a great ally against stress.
A research project in 2016 for The University of Mississippi established that white sage (Salvia apiana) is rich in compounds that activate certain receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for elevating mood levels, reducing stress, & even alleviating pain.
In addition to dissipating negative energy, improving mood, & strengthening intuition, smudging with sage might even improve your memory & focus.
A 2016 review of studies Trusted Source noted that evidence for Salvia’s cognitive enhancing benefits are promising, perhaps to treat dementia & Alzheimer’s disease although more research is still needed.
Ridding the body, spaces, & objects such as crystals & 2nd hand goods of bad energy can help welcome in newer, fresher, & more positive energies. In a way, this could have an energizing effect & help with fatigue.
For some, this may be the best of all benefits: Sage has a lovely divine aroma, pure & simple.
It also works great as a chemical-free air freshener or odor controller.
Before burning sage, if smudging for spiritual, energetic, & negativity clearing purposes. Remove animals or people from the room.
These steps apply whether you’re smudging yourself, your home, or an object. You can smudge any of these as often as you’d like.
BODY:
- Light the end of a sage bundle with a match. Blow out quickly if it catches on fire.
- The tips of the leaves should smolder slowly, releasing thick smoke. Direct this smoke around your body and space with one hand while holding the bundle in the other.
- Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on. Using a fan or feather can also help direct the smoke, though this is optional.
- Allow the ash to collect in a ceramic bowl or shell.
Smudge your home or living space
In this instance, direct sage smoke over all surfaces & spaces in your home or living area. Be thorough making sure you get up & in the corners.
Some recommend working in a clockwise direction around your home, ending back where you started, especially for spiritual purposes whilst others recommend anticlockwise, do what feels right for you, some say have the windows shut then open after 20 minutes, others say to smudge with windows open, follow your intuition & do what feels right for you.
Smudge an object
Direct smoke around & over the object of your choice.
This can be done to a new item, such as jewellery, furniture, crystals, or clothing, to protect or dispel it of negative energy. Items related to negative experiences or memories may also be smudged.
Some people burn sage over special objects, to acknowledge the object with sacred meaning.
Aromatherapy
You can also light and burn sage to improve odor, fragrance, & mood.
Simply waft sage smoke in and around your home. You can place the bundle in a fireproof bowl or burner and allow it to smoke for a while.
Make sure your smudge stick is completely extinguished. You can do this by dabbing the lit end into a small bowl of ash, salt or sand.
Check the end closely to make sure there are no more embers burning. Once it’s completely put out, store it in a safe, dry place out of the sun.
When done correctly & respectfully, smudging is completely safe & the effects last long after the smoke clears.
Be careful with sage when it’s lit. If you aren’t careful, burns & even fire is possible. Have water nearby.
Never leave burning sage unattended. Make sure to put your sage bundle out completely after every use, I will put mine out in salt & cover with alfoil to be sure it is smothered.
Setting off smoke alarms is common.
People with asthma & other respiratory conditions may be more sensitive to the smoke & have adverse reactions.
Some say to always leave a window open while smudging as inhaling smoke can be hazardous to your health, choose what feels right for you.
Burning sage has many benefits as a spiritual practice. Some research supports certain health benefits of sage, such as antimicrobial properties and enhanced alertness, but more research is needed.
There is very little research on smudging as a practice beyond the cultural practice of the ritual.
Keep in mind: Burning sage is a sacred religious practice in some Native American cultures. Treat the ritual with respect.