Smudging is defined as a ritual for cleansing a person, a place, or an object that is supposed to bring negative energy. This ceremony involves burning of sacred plants, special or herbal resins. After which it either passes through an object through the resulting smoke or the fanning smoke around a person. After all this gets over the spirit of plant is said to purify whatever gets smudged.

Generally there are two known ways in which smudging is done. One of them and the simpler one are by the use of a smudge stick. A smudge stick is a wand which is made up of plant leaves or some mixture of several plants tied together and then dried for the use. In order to use a simple method of lighting it up and extinguishing it after the smouldering is done. When the person who gets smudged he is made to stand in front of the wand which is then used forth and back through the person’s aura which starts from his feet to his head.   After reaching the head the person is asked to turn around and the wand is again scrolled down till his feet. A recommended process is to pay attention while around the heart area as it is said to purify the heart further.

In order to cleanse a room or a house one needs to carry a lit smudge around the house and rolled clockwise in every quarter of the room. The second way for smudging is of using self igniting or incense charcoal as a source of heat. The charcoal is then lighted up and placed in a heat proof container. After this one needs to sprinkle about a half teaspoon of smudging herb over the charcoal and then fan the smoke towards an object which is intended to be smudged. It should be kept in mind that the process is carried forward in the right manner as by this one is asking the spirit of sacred plants for assisting and healing with their supreme powers.

Some of the plants that can be used for smudging along with their spiritual properties are:

Desert Sage: A plant which is known to drive out the negative energies influences and spirits is used for purifying people and places before any sacred ceremony commences.

Cedar: Scientific name is Libocedrus descurrens, Thuja occidentalis. It is a plant which is also popularly used for the purifying purpose especially for healing negative emotions.

Sweetgrass (Hierochole odarata)- Another kind of smudging plant which is also used by many for attracting positive energy after negative energies get banished by use of any sage.

White Sage (Salvia apiana)- A sage similar to the desert sage is preferred by many people while carrying out the smudging ceremony due to the sweet aroma it leaves behind after being used.

Lavender (Lavandula officianalis) – Another popular brand of the herb which is popular for restoring balance and creating peaceful atmosphere in a place and is ideal for drawing loving energy and spirits.

Mugwort (Atemesia vulgarus)- Popularly known for its ability to stimulate psychic awareness and prophetic dreams is used for burning and making the bad spirits sick so that they move away.

Copal (Bereseru microphylla) – This is said to be used from the times of the Mayan Civilization for offering as food to god. The belief while burning is that as the smoke of this raises it reaches the ears of god. It is still used for divination or purification ceremonies.

Juniper (Juniperus ssp.)- This is a herb that is also used for purifying and creating a sacred and a peaceful environment. It is also used as medicine pouch or as a pocket of protection.

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicus)- This plant reflects the nature it is used for purification and protecting boundaries. It is used as a sacred herb too.

Osha (Ligusticum porteri)-The root of this plant is used for burning as an incense and carrying good luck. It is also used to stay protected from bad influences.  The root of this plant can be burned as incense or carried for good luck and protection from bad influences. Among the Native Americans it is also used as a form of gift among the elders.

With the use of the above smudging tools and herbs the cleansing smoke bath for purifying people and certain areas or carrying spiritual ceremonies can be conducted. Many differing cultures and people use these as per their own customs and beliefs.

Around the area populated by the Native American Indians variety of smudging mixtures in their own preferred ways. The principle herbs used are cedar, sage, juniper, sweet grass, lavender, etc. Some of the plain tribes also use pure tobacco in the south and Central American region.

Depending on the traditions of the different cultures and societies the herbs are burnt with their own specified mixtures.

The herbs are burnt on their own or in mixtures, depending on tradition and required effect. Sage (Artemisia tridentia) is an indigenous object for the Americans but is not the same used by the Europeans. Throughout the world there are several cultures and so are the techniques to use these sages for the process of purification. It is a sacred process popular for the healing effects it has on the individuals, area and objects. The prime thing to be kept in mind is to perform the process in the most appropriate manner to get the best out of the process.