What is smudging?
The term smudging comes from the English description of indigenous North American cleansing traditions in which sacred herbs are burned and the smoke is deliberately guided through a space or over a person. The most widely used plant is white sage (Salvia apiana) from California, but other types of sage, cedar, sweetgrass, palo santo and resins such as copal and frankincense are also part of the broader smudging practice. Outside North America, similar rituals are performed in Central and South America, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, each with their own plant material and ceremonial context.
The effect is understood on both a spiritual and a practical level. On a spiritual level, the smoke clears negative energy, makes room for intentions and prepares for ritual work. On a practical level, there is scientific evidence that burning plants such as white sage have considerable antibacterial properties: a frequently cited study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that burning medicinal herbs reduced airborne bacteria in a closed room by more than 94% for an hour. Burning is also said to release negative ions that bind fine dust and allergens.
White sage versus other types of sage
White sage (Salvia apiana) is the most powerful cleansing variety and has a sharp, penetrating scent. Black sage (Artemisia nova) is botanically related to wormwood and has an earthier, mossier character, traditionally used for dream work and protection. Blue or mountain sage (Salvia clevelandii) is milder than white sage and suits meditation well. Desert sage is a lighter variety, suitable for daily cleansing without the intensity of Californian white sage.
Palo santo
Palo santo (Bursera graveolens) is a wood from Ecuador and Peru that gives off a sweet, resinous scent with light citrus and mint undertones when burned. The wood preferably comes from trees that have fallen naturally and have lain for at least four years, so that the essential oils have fully developed. In the Inca tradition, palo santo was used for purification, protection and attracting positive energy. Today it is one of the most widely used smudging materials worldwide, including outside traditional contexts.
Resins: copal, frankincense, myrrh and dragon's blood
Resins are the dried sap of trees and shrubs and have been burned on charcoal or hot stones for thousands of years. Copal comes from various tree species in Central America and has a clear, slightly citrusy scent. It plays a central role in Aztec and Maya rituals and is traditionally used as an offering and in rites of passage. Copal negro (black copal) has an earthier and heavier scent than copal blanco. Frankincense (Boswellia) and myrrh (Commiphora) are the best-known resins from the Middle East and North Africa, used in religious contexts for thousands of years. Dragon's blood is the red resin of the Dracaena tree, used for protection and strengthening.
Accessories
An abalone shell serves as a burning bowl for smudging: the shell is fire-resistant, catches the ash and is a traditional part of the ritual set-up. The shell represents the water element in the four-element symbolism used in smudging: earth (the sage), fire (the flame), air (the smoke) and water (the shell). Always cover the bottom of the shell with a layer of sand or salt to limit direct heating of the surface. A feather or feather fan spreads the smoke through the room in a targeted way.
How do you smudge?
Open windows and doors for ventilation: you want the smoke, and the energy it carries, to have somewhere to go. Light the smudge stick or palo santo stick, let it burn for 20 to 30 seconds, then blow out the flame. The material starts to smoulder and produces smoke. Hold the stick above your abalone shell or another fireproof bowl as you move through the room. Move clockwise through the room, starting in the furthest corner and working towards the exit. Pay extra attention to corners, window frames and door edges. Afterwards, put out the smouldering stick by gently pressing the tip into sand or salt. Never leave a smouldering smudge stick unattended.
