Smoke cleansing is the ancient ritual of burning aromatic herbs, woods and resins for energy clearing. The most common ones are white sage, sweetgrass, lavender, cedar, mugwort, palo santo, copal, frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood and benzoin, and below is what each is traditionally used for, plus safety and sourcing notes. It has been practised for thousands of years, often as a sacred ceremony by Indigenous peoples and in many other cultures as a ritual for fragrance and focus. Browse our sage and cleansing range and incense to get started.
What Are the Benefits of Smoke Cleansing?
People smoke cleanse for many reasons, and none of them is about the body. For many Indigenous peoples, smudging is a sacred ceremony with deep cultural meaning that should be approached with respect. In other traditions, burning herbs and resins is part of home rituals, prayer and meditation, or just a way to set a fragrant, calm mood.
1. A ritual for clearing a space. The idea at the heart of smoke cleansing is symbolic: the smoke carries away stale or heavy "energy" from a room, a new home or an object, and marks a fresh start.
2. A pause for intention. Lighting a bundle is a moment to slow down and set an intention, whether that is gratitude, focus or a clear head for the day ahead.
3. A fragrant ambiance. Many people simply enjoy the aroma. Sage, cedar, palo santo, lavender and resins each smell different, which makes them a nice way to set the mood for meditation, a ritual or a quiet evening.
4. A way to mark transitions. People often cleanse after moving house, before a gathering, or at the new moon or new year, as a way of marking a change.
Smoke cleansing is a ritual, not a health practice, and it does not replace professional advice. Smoke can irritate sensitive airways, so always ventilate the room.
What Herbs and Resins Are Used in Smoke Cleansing?
Not all botanicals used in smoke cleansing are equal. In addition to the distinct aroma they release when burned, different plants have their own aromas and traditional uses. Knowing what each herb, wood or resin is traditionally used for helps you choose one that suits your intention for the cleanse.
These are some of the sacred plants you can use in your cleansing practice and their individual properties:
Herbs
1. White sage - This herb is everyone's top-of-mind pick for smudging and smoke cleansing. It is burned as bundled dried leaves or as incense for an earthy, minty aroma. In ritual it is the classic herb for clearing a space and for protection against evil spirits, and it has a long history in Native American ceremony.
Traditionally, white sage is burned to:
- Clear a room before a ritual
- Mark a fresh start, such as a new home
- Set an intention and focus the mind
- Create a grounded atmosphere for meditation
The rising popularity of smoke cleansing has led to a surge in demand of white sage products, resulting in the illegal harvest and over harvesting of the plant. When sourcing white sage, make sure to get it from a legitimate supplier that adheres to ethical and sustainable farming practices to obtain it.
2. Sweetgrass (also called vanilla grass, manna grass, and holy grass) - It is a fragrant plant with smooth and glossy leaves used for room fresheners, bath soaps, baskets, candles, and of course smoke cleansing. Sweetgrass has a warm vanilla-like scent (produced by the aromatic compound called coumarin) which becomes more pronounced when its leaves are dried.
It is considered a sacred plant by Indigenous groups in North America, and it is often plaited into a long braid to symbolize the bond and strength of family and community. Like sage, it is burned usually at the beginning of a prayer or ceremony. In tradition it stands for:
- Inviting positive energy once a space has been cleared
- Honouring people and sacred spaces
- Pleasant dreams
- Connection to the spirit world
- Love, peace, and harmony among people
3. Lavender - Another botanical that has been used since antiquity is the perennial flowering plant lavender. The name lavender is derived from the Latin word lavare meaning wash, a symbolic allusion to its cleansing character. It was commonly used in baths and for freshening linens.
Lavender is commonly sold as an essential oil which is extracted from fresh or partially dried lavender leaves or flowers. It is also turned into incense sticks and smudge bundles (the entire stem with its leaves and flowers are bundled tightly) for a sweet, floral smoke.
When burned, lavender is traditionally used for:
- A soft, sweet-smelling ambiance
- A relaxing atmosphere for evening rituals
- Freshening a room
- Chakra-themed rituals (in lore, it is associated with the third eye and crown chakras)
4. Cedar - Like sage and sweetgrass, cedar is used in ritual for driving out negative energies. It is also believed to protect against evil spirits. Wood from the cedar stands for protection and longevity and is used in charms, decors, and accessories to symbolize these hopes.
In addition to cleansing a person, object, or space, smoke cleansing with cedar is traditionally performed for:
- Peaceful thoughts
- A feeling of being safeguarded
- Reflection on spiritual messages as well as messages from the inner self
- Courage and confidence
- Grounding oneself to earthly energies
Whether you are setting the mood for a meditation ritual or marking the end of a hectic week, cedar has a warm, woody scent that many people find welcoming.
5. Mugwort - This herb is a common beer additive which imparts a hint of bitterness and sweetness to the beverage. Many people may consider mugwort as a common weed, but its leaves, stems, roots, and blossoms have a long history of folk use in many cultures, and are made into different forms.
Mugwort is a favourite in dream and divination lore. Burning mugwort incense is traditionally associated with:
- The third eye chakra and psychic abilities
- Relaxing and opening the mind (and vivid, prophetic dreams, in dream lore)
- Imagination and creativity
- A fresh, herbal atmosphere for ritual
Resins
1. Palo santo - Mild, woody, and sweet-smelling palo santo (Spanish term for holy wood) is traditionally burned to clear negative energy and to set a calm atmosphere.
2. Copal - A fresh-smelling, fast-burning resin traditionally used to purify a space, attract love, and inspire insights into the Divine.
3. Frankincense - With a piney to lemony scent to it, frankincense is traditionally burned to deepen spiritual experiences and as a reminder of strength and motivation when you're low on inspiration.
4. Myrrh - Its warm, earthy, and slightly bitter scent is used to set the mood for spiritual awareness before and during rituals. Myrrh is also associated with happiness, confidence, strength, and stability.
5. Dragon's Blood - A natural resin produced from the tropical dragon tree, this dark red resin is an excellent option for setting a calm ambiance. It produces a soft and sweet scent (almost similar to amber but sweeter) with some earthy tones that suit contemplation.
6. Benzoin - This resin is known for its vanilla undertone with earthy tones. Benzoin is burned in ritual to clear negative energy and to symbolize letting go of sadness, anger, greed, loneliness, and weariness. It's also believed to attract prosperity.
Regardless of your chosen plant/s, always remember to honour the origins of your botanicals and to ensure they're grown and harvested in the most sustainable and ethical ways possible. Be really intentional in seeking out how your plants have travelled through the supply chain.
Are they organic? Were they sprayed with herbicides/pesticides? Were they legally grown without disrespecting the customs and traditions of Indigenous peoples? These are some considerations to make when sourcing your herbs.
Additional Reminders in Using Herbs for Smoke Cleansing
So you've chosen the herbs to work with in your ritual. Now what's next?
Reiki master Jessie Quinn shares a couple of tips for a safe and successful smoke cleansing ceremony:
1. Establish an intention before lighting your herbs.
Setting an intention is pivotal in every cleansing ritual. Start by saying an intention of gratitude to the plants and cultural connections that made the use of the plant possible. Then follow it up with saying your desired intention.
This intention could be your guiding principle for what you aspire to be, or something you want to do or achieve (e.g., gratitude, prosperity, financial freedom, increased self-love, etc.). Light your herbs after stating your intention.
2. Be extra careful when handling your herbs.
Smoke cleansing involves working with open flame typically in indoor settings which poses a real fire hazard. So always exercise caution. Avoid leaving your cleansing stick burning like incense.
After lighting the end of the herb, waft your hand in front of it to put out the flame. And once you're done with your cleanse, squash the smoked herb in your abalone shell, ceramic dish, or ash tray to kill the flame entirely.
3. Avoid smoke cleansing in the presence of your pets.
Smudging is a ritual enjoyed by people, but it is not suitable for cats and dogs. Burning herbs around them is a bad idea.
The smoke can irritate our four-legged friends' eyes and airways. Quinn advises cracking a window open immediately after your cleanse or relocating your pet to another room during your ritual.
Throughout history, people have used herbs in ritual and ceremony. Today, they remain a simple way to mark a moment of peace with ourselves, with others, and with our environment.
Eager to introduce smoke cleansing to your daily routine? Browse our sage and cleansing and incense collections for herbs, resins and tools. We are a Canadian wholesaler in Kitchener, Ontario, with no minimum order.
Sources:
Carricarte, L. (2016a, July 26). A Beginner's Guide to Herbs & Smudging. elephant journal. Elephant Journal Daily Blog, Videos, e-Newsletter & Magazine on Yoga + Organics + Green Living + Non-New Agey Spirituality + Ecofashion + Conscious Consumerism=it's about the Mindful Life. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/07/a-beginners-guide-to-herbs-smudging/
Cuncic, A. (2020, May 28). How Burning Sage May Help Your Physical and Psychological Health. Verywell Mind. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-burning-sage-4685244
Finlay, V. (2021, December 20). Cedar Uses and Benefits. Ceremoni. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://ceremoni.ca/blogs/resources/cedar-uses-and-benefits
M. (2021, December 13). 8 Impressive Benefits Of Lavender Incense. Natural Scents. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://naturalscents.net/incense/lavender-incense-benefits-42#benefits
Norris, R. (2021, March 15). A Beginner's Guide to Smudging, Including How to Choose the Right Herbs for Your Home. Martha Stewart. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.marthastewart.com/8068100/smudging-herb-guide
O. (2022, March 2). Mugwort Incense Benefits, Uses & Meaning. Reality Pathing. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://realitypathing.com/mugwort-incense-benefits-uses-meaning/
S. (2020, March 30). Mugwort: A Medicinal Herb With A Beer History. SPICEography. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.spiceography.com/mugwort/
Sweetgrass. (n.d.). The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sweetgrass
What Is Mugwort? (2022, January 10). Verywell Health. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/mugwort-benefits-side-effects-dosage-and-interactions-4767226
White, A. (2020, June 22). 11 Benefits of Burning Sage, How to Get Started, and More. Healthline. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-burning-sage#takeaway
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