The Native American practice of smudging is a tradition that has been practiced for hundreds of years and is still relevant as just as effective as it was back then. Wondering what exactly is smudging and how can it help you? This article will give you all the answers.
What is Smudging?
Smudging is a spiritual activity done to cleanse a person, space, or thing of any negative energies and invite positivity. Certain plant materials like cedar, lavender, sage, palo santo, etc. are quite commonly used in this activity. This plant material is tied together in a smudge stick and ignited. This cleansing smoke liberated from the smudge stick is allowed to spread around, which purifies the environment.
What is White Sage?
Salvia apiana or the white sage is a shrub found mainly in the US, Mexico, Southern California, and some parts of Mojave and Sonoran deserts. This magical shrub has been a useful discovery for mankind as ‘the sacred sage’ and has powerful antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. The medical prowess of Sage is proven to be a natural remedy for many illnesses including depression, dementia, heart disease, and even cancer.
How is the White Sage used for Smudging?
Native Americans have been using the White Sage in the process of purification or smudging, given the medical pros of the shrub. The dried plants or leaves of sage are first burned over coal. Once the leaves start burning, one can use their hand or a feather to direct the holy smoke towards the person, place or an object that is to be cleansed.
What are the benefits of burning White Sage?
Burning dried sage is immensely beneficial, for the leaves of this magical shrub are filled with medical properties. Here are some typical benefits -
1. Improves sleep quality
Bad thoughts, negative energies, past trauma can hinder your sleep. The sacred smoke of the White Sage can purify your surroundings and your mind, eventually improving your sleep quality.
2. Helps in cleansing a space
The White Sage smoke is famously known to have tremendous cleansing properties. It can be a useful tool to get rid of all the negativity including past traumas, bad experiences, etc. Cleansing rituals can help you build a positive environment at home, at offices for work, during exercise and meditation sessions.
3. It can cleanse objects
Worried about the possible negative energies of a second-hand thing? Well, you don’t have to anymore. Smudging with White Sage can remove all the negativity from any second-hand things we buy or for that matter, any object. You can smudge a new item, such as jewellery, furniture, or clothing, to protect or dispel it of negative energy. Items related to negative experiences or memories can also be smudged.
4. Helps improve your mood
The very fundamental thing about cleansing space with the White Sage is getting rid of things that put you in a bad mood. Therefore, White Sage can help elevate your mood level and attention span, giving you a better focus level.
5. Relieves symptoms of certain conditions
White prairie sage (also known as estafiate) is widely documented as an important traditional remedy for treating anxiety, depression, and mood disorders in certain cultures. It neutralizes allergens like pollution, dust, etc. In addition to dissipating negative energy, improving mood, and strengthening intuition, smudging with sage might improve your memory and focus.
6. Improved memory and focus
Another medical perk of the white sage is that it can improve the memory and focus of a person. In a study, it was found that smudging with White Sage helps improve cognitive skills. Sage is also used for the treatment of Dementia & Alzheimer's disease.
There is a long list of the benefits of Smudging your surroundings with the soothing smoke of White Sage. You can check out HEM’s authentic White Sage smudge sticks to test it out yourself. Go ahead and take a step towards a better life with the cleansing powers of the White Sage.