The use of sage to smudge a space, business or home is a practice that is found across so many societies and cultures in the world and frequently performed to rid the space or person of any conflict, illness, evil influences, and other negative energies.
Many herbs can be used in smudging beyond white sage, which is what most people are familiar with. Not sure what might be right for you? We've listed here the benefits of each herb to help you decide which one(s) might be the right fit.
Cedar has a woodsy fresh, sweeter herbal aroma, less pungent than the scent produced by white sage. These smudge sticks can be used for cleansing and purifying the home, car, objects, crystals or sacred space. It is said to be one of the most powerfully cleansing herbs.
Eastern Red Cedar/Juniper is a strongly protective herb and useful for male strength and for banishing. This is a wonderfully aromatic plant with berries that also are used medicinally. Juniper can also create a safe, protective, positive, healing space when the negative energy is removed. Juniper is energetically and physically detoxifying as well as centering.
Eucalyptus offers a variety of purported benefits, including air purification, enhanced mental clarity, and stress relief. They are also believed to promote relaxation, cleanse negative energy, and even offer protection.
Lavender helps with clear thinking, relaxation, and focus.
Lemon Balm is used for spiritual cleansing, easing grief and anxiety, and promoting a sense of calm and peace. It is believed to attract positive emotions.
Mugwort is known for its ability to encourage vivid dreams and visions, aid in introspection and inner healing, and provide protection during astral travel and shamanic journeys. Black sage is also used to clear negative energies and invite positive ones, making it a popular choice for spiritual cleansing and purification rituals.
Palo Santo wood offers spiritual purification, energy cleansing, and stress reduction, is often used in meditation and aromatherapy for its calming and uplifting aroma. It is also believed to have physical healing properties, potentially aiding with colds, headaches, and emotional trauma.
Pine offers benefits like cleansing negative energy, promoting protection, and fostering a sense of clarity and focus. It is also associated with healing, both physically and emotionally, and can be used to bless new spaces or objects.
Rosemary offers a variety of benefits including promoting mental clarity, enhancing memory, and cleansing spaces of negative energy. It is used in smudging rituals to clear the mind, uplift mood, and foster a sense of peace and balance.
Rue (also called Ruda or Ruta) is traditionally used for cleansing negative energy, protection, and spiritual purification. It is believed to dispel unwanted influences, drive away negativity, and create a positive and protective environment. In several cultures, Rue is believed to attract good fortune.
Sage is a clearing herb that helps purify and cleanse spaces of negative energy. All sages energtically work similarly, but do have some fairly unique smells. Here are some different sage options:
- White Sage has a potent, distinctive smell and is the type of smudge bundles most commonly found.
- Blue Sage cleansing spaces of negative energy, attracting prosperity and abundance, and promoting spiritual strength. It's also used for relaxation, healing, and enhancing spiritual experiences
- Black Sage (see Mugwort above)
Thyme is an incredibly powerful magical plant. Thyme helps with the removal of negative emotions, healing, and emotional healing.
Valerian is one of the most powerful and potent cleansing and clearing herbs. A little valerian goes a long way. If you are unfamiliar with the smell of Valerian, it is similar to wet dog when burned – use with the windows open! Typically, this herb is only used when a serious cleansing is required.
Wormwood is another super protective and clearing herb is Artemesia Absinthium (Common Wormwood). It has a pleasant smell when it burns, and is clearing, but in a more gentle way than valerian.
Yarrow is another herb used in smudges for its energetic qualities; it smells a lot when it burns due to the high volatile oil content. In smudging, Yarrow is used for workings where you don’t want to be seen or you need to hide or conceal something. It is also useful for strength and divination.
Yerba Santa clears negative energy, promotes healing, and enhances spiritual growth. It is believed to have protective qualities and can be used to clear spaces, objects, or even one's own energy field. The fragrant smoke is also thought to aid in emotional release and support respiratory health
If you are interested in a combination you don't see here, reach out! We'll be more than happy to try to make a custom set of smudges for you. We make these smudges bundles during the peak season for each plant so our ability to make an optimal smudge bundle may be limited due to seasonality of the plants in question.
