Sage is a powerful herb and acts as the best medicine for the body. There are number of advantages of using sage and numerous health benefits. Sage Tea is known to have huge relief on the body and help in the process of better functioning of the body. It provides numerous reliefs ranging from psychological to medical conditions. Sage Tea is said to have a powerful impact on people suffering from some specific disease and help in healing them. Some of the problems which can be healed completely with the help of Sage Tea are:

Antiseptic

As Sage has various antiseptic and acerbic qualities, it is considered to be the best for helping in healing and acting as a protective balm. The most common aides for which the Sage Tea is used are for sore throat, other mouth problems, like ulcers, and other gum problems. It is also helpful in treating other diseases like flu and cold. It helps in soothing all the symptoms and therefore aids in the recovery of the problems in the best manner.

Body Fluids and Secretions

Sage tea can either be used as a hot drink or a cold drink. It has a great impact on the body fluids and other secretions. This includes excessive sweating, night sweating conditions which is found in many people.  If one takes cold sage tea then it will help them in increasing the flow of body fluids and can also be helpful in treating delayed periods. These were some of the impacts mainly related to body fluids.

Digestion

People suffering from digestion problems are mostly recommended sage tea as it is the best in helping in proper flow in the body. It stimulates the digestive juices, helps in controlling flatulence, and with the help of all these it has a settling and positive effect on the appetite of a person. Additionally it has many beneficial remedies for people suffering from diarrhoea.

Circulation

There have been many researches on Sage Tea and recently the researchers have discovered that this particular herb can assist those people who suffer from blood disorders mainly in respect of blood circulation. So the consumption of Sage Tea can be really beneficial for the people who suffer from any kind of heart related problems. It helps to reduce the heart disorders to a great extent.

Menopause

Sage Tea is considered to be beneficial for women suffering from menopause. Sage tea helps in reducing the hot flushes that occur during this period of a women’s life. It also helps in reducing the stress level and the feeling of depression which occurs during the change cycle.

Psychological and Mental Relief

Sage has many stimulating properties which help in maintaining a good balance in the body. The stimulating properties of sage in the form of tea act as a tonic and help in fighting many different kinds of psychological and mental problems. The tea stimulates the nervous system and as a result of this it becomes very useful in reducing the stress level depression, and tiredness. It aides proper sleep and helps the person to relax properly.

These qualities of Sage Tea help in improving the brain functions to a great extent and the scientists believe that it may act as the best tonic for later age diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Despite having many benefits and helping in stimulating the metabolism of the body, there are some precautions needed to be taken care off before consuming sage tea. It should never be taken by people who suffer form any kind of allergy or some other conditions. It should be avoided by women who are pregnant or are breast feeding their child. People who suffer from seizures or epilepsy and those who have allergic reactions to these herbs should always avoid these herbs.

Like all the other herbs sage has proved to be beneficial for health and it is a natural remedy for many diseases. It can act as a medicine for many ailments and nervous condition. Just one thing should be kept in mind that one is not in the category of people who are not allergic and don’t fall in the category of people who find it harmful. It is considered as a health drink in many researches. But it is always advised to consult the medical practitioner before consuming them as it could sometimes have adverse medical reactions.

Smudging is a way of using the smoke from burning herbs as a way to cleanse the body, an object, or a given area of negative influences. It is the use of herbal sage herbs and taking the help of smoke produced by them to remove negative energies.

Smudging is a way of using the smoke from burning herbs as a way to cleanse the body, an object, or a given area of negative influences. One can himself use smudging to “cleanse” crystals before using them in jewellery projects one may do, and for protecting his home from some recent “bad vibe”-producing events. One can imagine that the skilful use of the proper herbs could help in warding and banishing ceremonies as well, if used properly and with reverence. The three most common plant materials used for smudging are sage of all types, cedar, and sweetgrass.

Sage

There are two major genii and several varieties of each genus of Sage that are used for smudging. Salvia, or the herb sage used for cooking, comes in two major varieties: S. Officinalis, commonly known as Garden Sage, and S. Apiana, commonly known as White Sage. Salvia varieties have long been acknowledged as healing herbs, reflected in the fact that its genus name comes from the Latin root word salvare, which is the verb “to heal” or “to save.” Artemisia is the genus commonly considered “Sagebrush,” and is more common in the wilds out here in California. There are two major varieties to the Artemisia genus: A. Californica, or Common Sagebrush, and A. Vulgaris, or Mugwort. There are many other varieties of both Salvia and Artemisia, and all are effective in smudging. Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep Gan’n (negative entities) away from areas where ceremonials take place. In the Plains Sweatlodge, the floor of the structure is strewn with sage leaves for the participants to rub on their bodies during the sweat. Sage is also used in keeping sacred objects like pipes or Peyote wands safe from negative influence. In the Sioux nation, the Sacred Pipe is kept in a bundle with sage boughs. I would think special crystals could be so protected this way as well.

Cedar

True cedar is of the Thuja and Libocedrus genii. Some Junipers are also called “cedar”, thus complicating things some. Some Juniper varieties ARE cleansing herbs, especially J. Monosperma, or Desert White Cedar. But for smudging, the best is Western Red Cedar and California Incense Cedar. Cedar is burnt while praying to the Great Spirit in meditation, and also to bless a house before moving in as is the tradition in the Northwest and Western Canada. It works both as a purifier and as a way to attract good energy in your direction. It is usually available in herb stores in chipped form, which must be sprinkled over a charcoal in a brazier. I like a piece of charcoaled mesquite for this purpose, rather than the commercial charcoal cake.

Sweetgrass

Very important to the Sioux and Cherokee nations, its botanical name is Hierochloe Oderata. In these tribes, the sweetgrass is braided like hair braids. It could be burnt by lighting the end of it, or by shaving little bits of it onto charcoal in a brazier. Again, use charcoaled Mesquite to burn it, not pressed charcoal tablets. Sweetgrass is burnt after smudging with sage, to welcome in good influences after the bad had been driven out. Sweetgrass is very rare today, and traditional Plains people have been attempting to protect the last of it. Also Pinon pine needles and Copal have similar effect. The three mentioned here are readily available either through gathering yourself or, in the case of copal resin, from any good herb shop.

Using Smudging

Burn clippings of the herb in a brazier…not a shell as some “new age” shamanic circles do…it is an insult to White Painted Woman to do this, especially with the abalone shell which is especially sacred to Her. If the herb is bundled in a “wand”, you can also light the end of the wand that isn’t woody and use that. I like the latter way. Direct the smoke with your hands or with a Peyote wand over the person or thing you wish to smudge. If you can see auras, look for discolored places in the aura and direct the healing smoke towards those places on the patient’s body. For cleansing a house, first offer cedar smoke to the four directions outside the house. Then, take a sage bough and go throughout the inside of the house, making sure the smoke penetrates every nook and cranny of the house. It might help also, if one has a power animal, to visualize his animal doing these things, to also dance your animal, and if one has a power song, to sing that too. Then finally, run through the house with a white candle that is well protected, to “light up” the house. Careful not to burn it down when one does it!!!

Smudging should be done with care, with reverence, and in an attitude of love. Show respect and honor to the plants that Use has given us for our healing, and they will return the favor by keeping us well and free from disease and negative energy. Aloe Vera plants, though not to be burnt, are good for the cleansing angle as well. Keep one or more potted Aloe Veras in the house in organic pots. To honor the plant when you transplant it, sprinkle the roots with corn meal and smudge it with cedar once it is transplanted. The spirit of Aloe Vera is a good protective spirit, and if you burn yourself, can also be used to heal your skin. Be sure to ask the plant’s permission before cutting part of the leaf off for the healing juice. If you don’t, the protective power of the plant will cease, and you will be left with but an inert house plant…and perhaps some bad karma to boot.

People have been using the smoke coming out of herbal incense since ancient times. They use the smoke to cleanse people, places, and objects. It is said that these herbal smokes help in removing negative energy and fill the place with positive energy.

The term Smudging has come into use within contemporary Shamanism and is mainly used by the Native Americans. Native Americans believe that these practises are mostly related to earth and hold huge spiritual appeal. Hence various herbal incenses have come into effect and are commonly termed as smudging. However herbal incense has been used by many different cultures and traditions. It is known as a sacred way to cleanse people and objects with the help of the herbs. This is a very ancient and old practice which is gaining popularity in today’s world.

For example Neolithic, Celtic, Scythian, Norse, Anglo-Saxon and other Germanic peoples are known to have used herbal mixtures which they would throw onto a fire or onto hot rocks within a Sweat Lodge so that they could bathe and purify themselves in the resultant fragrant smoke.

Smudge can be used in two ways either as a bundle of dried herbs which can be held together as twine and blown out to smoulder or else they can be left loose and semi-powdered and burnt on charcoal blocks. Native peoples sometimes take coals from a wood fire, put that into a dish and sprinkle ‘Smudge’ onto those so that it smoulders and smokes. ‘Smudge’ sticks are also sometimes known as ‘Smudge Wands’. The bundles and wands are good, there is a danger of small, smouldering bits falling off onto people, furniture or carpets- most distracting. Whichever way one smudges, do be careful.

The main purpose is to purify one’s self and cleanse the place one is smudging. This makes it clear that smudging helps us to remain connected with the spiritual world and remove the negative energy. Smudging is the best way to drive the negative spirits away and get what one wants in his life. There is a principle that one should only ask for ‘Help & healing’ through ceremony of this kind, and so if you need help with problems, need guidance or direction, or ask for healing for yourself or others, then it is fine to ask the spirits for their help in these ways.

Some of the herbs used in sage mix while smudging are Plains Sage, Cedar, Sweet Grass, or even Lavender. These can be bought commercially, or grown and dried for yourself. Most suppliers of Native American crafts sell Smudge mixtures, and they are easily obtainable. If you as I seek to set such wisdom within the spirit of my own land, you can also use other herbs such as Rosemary, Mugwort and true Sage as they have strong healing and purifying associations, or you can research herbs to use that have been traditionally used in this way in Britain so as to connect with this in good ways.

Smudging is simple and one just needs smudge mix, charcoal discs, some means to ignite charcoal disks that lasts long, a dish on which the burning charcoal can be placed and the most important thing is to have a very good intention of performing the process of smudging. Having gathered all of these things, one simply needs to make himself comfortable, light the charcoal disc and ‘Smudge’.

The best way to start the process of smudging is to offer smoke in all four direction at first. Then offer the smoke to the heaven above and then to the earth below. Then the main process starts as one will need to fan the smoke towards the person who is being smudged. Fan the smoke around the room so that the place where one is performing the process of smudging is also purified. In what order you do this is really a matter of personal predilection- some people smudge the place, then the people, and then make directional offerings, and some prefer to smudge to the directions first. Perhaps if you are new to smudging you might like to try different ways and see what feels right for you. Many people use a special Fan or feather for moving Smudge smoke around as it helps to be able to direct it by fanning.

The smoke produced while smudging is purifying, cleansing as well as healing. Smudging is known to be the best solution for many spiritual and negative disturbances in one’s life. Smudging ceremonies have proved to be helpful and effective in many people’s life. Many people smudge troublesome machinery and suchlike, and indeed once used smudge on someone’s recommendation with a sporadically faulty photocopier- and it worked fine after that! It is a simple ritual itself, its quietness and connectedness helps one, but the fragrant smoke magnifies and focuses that, as well as bringing in spiritual power to help even more.

People who are bereaved and face trouble in relationships or family should try smudging as it brings calmness and balance in life. Many Shamans use smudging as an integral part of more lengthy and complex healing rituals, and indeed it is used in this way by native cultures all around the world.

Smudging can be used to purify some of the simplest objects like shamanic tools, crystals, and many other magical items. If one is really involved in the process of healing then they can simply try to cleanse themselves as well as their tools and places.

Smudging which means to smoke or to protect by means of a smudge. In other words Smudging is a method of using smoke of burned herbs to cleanse an object, a body or  areas of negative influences. Smudging always has a purification benefits for our consciousness, our living space and more importantly for our bodies. There are many people who believe that smoke gathered from burning herbs acts as a remedy to their bodies and energies their conscious understanding and comprehension. People from all across the globe have used the smoke from herbal mixtures in their spiritual rituals as well as in their healing. People also use smudging in order to clean the crystals before they use them in jewelry. It may also used to protect our homes from bad vibes or events and can help in warding & banishing ceremonies, if used with proper references. The three herb plants which are used for the purpose of smudging are all types of sages, sweetgrass and cedar.

Sage

It has two major genii & with different varieties  in each genus which are used in smudging. The herb sage (Salvia) is used for cooking.  The two major varieties of sage are garden Sage (S.officinalis) and white sage (S.apiana). From a long period Salvia varieties have been known as healing herbs. The word is derived from Latin word salvare, which  is a verb of “to save” or “to heal”. The Artemisia genus has two major varieties namely Common Sagebrush (Californica) and Mugwort (A.vulgaris). There are also other varieties of Artemisia and Salvia & all of them are effective for smudging. Sage is burnt in smudging ceremonies in order to drive out negative thoughts & feelings, evil spirits and to negative entities (Gan’n) away from those areas. In order to safe sacred objects from negative influence sage can be used. In Sioux nation their Sacred Pipe is kept with sage boughs in a bundle.

Sweetgrass

The botanical name of sweetgrass is Hierochloe odorata. This herb is  important to the Cherokee and Sioux nations. In these tribes it is braided as a hair braids. It is burnt by burning at the end or by putting the end portion into the charcoal in a brazier. Sweetgrass is burnt for good influences and to drive out the bad evils. It is very difficult to find sweetgrass and in traditional plains people are protecting the last reserves of it. Cedar is not endangered and can be used in a similar way. Others like Piñon pine needles (which are used by the Southwest Teneh like  Apache and the Navajo as well as Zuni and Pueblo people) and Copal (which was used by Yaqui and during the ancient times by  Maya and the Azteca) have this type of effect. All the three are easily available and can be self gathered.  Herbs like copal resin can be gathered from any herb shop.

Cedar

The true Cedar is of Libocedrus and thuja genii. Some Juniperus genus (Junipers) is also known as Cedar. Among these Junipers some varieties are cleansing herbs like J.monosperma, desert white cedar. For smudging purpose Thuja occidentalis (Western Red Cedar) & Libocedrus descurrens (California Incense Cedar) are the best. While praying to a great spirit a cedar needs to be burnt. Burning a cedar also helps in meditation. It also blesses a house when you move into your house for the first time. This tradition is followed in Northwest & Western Canada. It helps in purifying the air as well as to attract positive energy into your homes. The herb is easily available in any herb stores in a chipped form. It should be sprinkled on a charcoal in a brazier. Use a charcoaled mesquite rather than using a commercial charcoal cake.

Using Smudging

The clippings of the herbs should be burn in a brazier and not in any shell or in any new age shamanic circles. If it is done in that way it is an insult to the goddess (White Painted Woman) as this particularly abalone shell is considered as scared to her. Another way to burn the clippings is to bundled the herbs in a wand and lit it at the end and not the wood. In order to direct the smoke you can use the hands or Peyote (feather) on the person or the thing that needs to be smudge. One can see the auras in discoloured places & direct the healing smoke on the patient’s body parts. In order to clean a house, offer cedar smoke in the four corners outside the house. After this take a sage branch inside the house and ensures that the smoke is penetrated in every nook and corner of the home. It will be helpful if you can sing power song while smiudging. Finally run through a white candle which will protect to light up the house. Be careful while you perform these things.

One should always do smudging with reverence, care and with an attitude of love. People should show  honour and respect towards the plants that has given them a remedy to cure their healing. The plant in turn will favour us by keeping us free from various diseases and negative energy. These herbs will helps in keeping us fit and free us from diseases of our body. Some plants like the Aloe Vera plants which should  not be burnt, are really good for cleansing purpose. One should plot Aloe Veras in their houses in an organic way by plotting in wood or ceramic pots. When you transplant the plant in the pot sprinkle the roots with some corn meal & smudge it with a cedar after  planting.If you burn your skin it can be used to heal. But before you cut any part of the leaves please take plants permission for its healing juice. In case you do not take prior permission it will cease the protective power of plant and would be left with an inert houseplant.

Sage is the most common and powerful material used for smudging and removing negative energies. One can smudge with sage, cedar, lavender, and many other herbs. Sage comes in several different forms but the best one is white desert sage rather than the green garden sage.

Smudging is the process of burning the dried plant and fanning the smoke over the body with sacred intention. One should also smudge the area in and around the place where he intends to do his sacred work. Smudging is most common in Native American ritual, but it is followed in other cultures as well.

There are many different forms of smudges; but the most common is the leaf of white sage. Sage can be burnt in a shell or a piece of pottery. Bundles of sage also come with several kinds of sage mixed together but the bundles are not considered to be right as they also contain sweet grass which is a nest builder. It provides a nest for the “spirits” to live in. If the area is not cleared of negative energy, it can build a nest there too. If one is going to use sweet grass, then he should first cleanse the area with white sage and then use sweet grass.

While using the sage, one should place a few leaves in the censer and light them or light the bundle. The flame will go out in a short time and the sage will begin to smoulder. Then fan the smoke with hands or feather. The traditional way is to offer the smoke to the four directions before starting the process. Then one must fan the smoke around himself imagining it passing through him. It flows through the person drawing out all of the junk that he has collected in the aura. Smudge is different from tobacco so one can breath in the smoke he will feel the cleansing properties.

This process only takes a few minutes and when it is done one will feel the clarity of the room and the area he is in. One can either rub out the sage stick or just let it burn out on its own. The stick can be used many times. Leaves are just let to burn out on their own. Sage can also be used to clean crystals before the process starts and always smudge crystals after their use to remove the negative energy they many have absorbed.

Smudge is one of the most powerful tools that can be used for this process. It should be used prior to any spiritual event that one undertakes. Meditation, Reiki, Crystal Healing, Tarot Readings should all have smudging prior their use. Whenever one opens himself for energy transfer he must make sure that negative energy is cleared from that area. Smudge is the easiest way of doing that.

The process of smudging involves placing the individual herb or mixture of herbs into a shell, or fireproof bowl or dish. The mixture can become very hot so it is important that whatever is used can take the heat without cracking. Some traditions don’t use shells as they feel the water element of the shell nullifies the fire element. Others use the shell to bring in the balance of the elements.

The mixture is lit and helped to burn by the use of a feather or fan. One should not blow into the mixture as it is said that he might blow his own negative energy into the mixture. The mixture is then wafted around one’s self like a smoke bath. There are different ways of doing this and one can find variety of techniques depending on traditions and teachings. The way for someone not attached to a particular tradition is a matter of personal preference and intuition.
One way would be to start at the left foot as left is considered to be the receiving part of the body and to move the smoke up the left leg with the use of the fan or feather. Then proceed up the central chakra line and around the top of the head, back down the centre of the body, moving the smoke outwards to the sides and around the back. Finish off by wafting the smoke down the right leg as right is the giving side of the body and out and away from the right foot. Many traditions do these four times as four is considered to be the number of balance and harmony.

Feathers and wing fans aid in the cleansing process and have the effect of combing the human aura, therefore adding to the cleansing. Particular feathers bring in the qualities and medicine of the bird of origin. Some people insist that the feather should be moved in the direction that is similar to the movement of a particular bird while it is flying.

Cleansing ceremonial or ritual space before and after the event is an essential part of spiritual hygiene. The initial smudging is for the purpose of purifying the space and other participants and for banishing any unwanted energies. The final smudging is done to cleanse any negative energy attracted or created during the smudging process. It is always nice to perform smudging on a regular basis as it helps in maintaining domestic and individual harmony.

There are many healers, masseurs, therapists and others involved in similar occupations that do not use this or similar cleansing techniques in their workspace and for themselves, before and after the healing process.
Good practice for the use of smudge when healing is to smudge the space, the people in the space, including one’s self, the patient and any tools, When the healing process is completed, smudge self, any other assistant, tools, patient and finish with the space. In this way one deals with negative energies and vibrations in much the same way as antiseptic and disinfectant deals with germs. The aroma of the mixture is wonderful and the effects are instantly noticeable.

White sage which is also known as salvia apiana is mainly grown in Baja California and southern California. It is an evergreen plant that is native to Mexico and United States. White sage can also be found in Mojave and western edges of Sonoran desert. The plant mostly reaches the height of 1.3 meters to 1.5 meters. It has a very strong aroma and attracts large number of bees. The resins and oils in it produce the aroma. The flowers are whitish and sometimes pale.

There are around 750 kinds of herbs and in them white sage is considered to be the best for smudging objects or any person. The leaves of this plant should be dried and then kept in a fire proof bowl. It is best for smudging as it catches fire easily. The aroma that it produces helps in purifying the atmosphere around us. The smoke produced by white sage acts as a great cleansing agent. The smell produced when sage is burnt evokes peaceful thoughts and purifies the environment around us.

White sage can easily be grown in their native places, but it is very difficult to grow them out of their native places. But the aroma produced by them and since they purify the environment it can be considered as a worthfull effort. White sage should mainly be harvested in summer or during fall when the plants are their prime. All the leaves should not be picked up when people are harvesting, some leaves should be left as it divests the plant out of its resources. Once the leaves become supple, leathery and limp then it becomes safe to tie the stalks together in the traditional method, just like they are tied in a smudge stick. One must tie the base of stalks with a knot and wrap the strings tightly in a bundle. Then after harvesting they must be kept indoors and dried. If one does not wilt the leaves before bundling then they are risking the safety of the herbs. If the herbs are not wilted then too much moisture gets is locked inside them from the start and the herbs might start blackening. The bundle lasts for a year or two.

White sage is considered to the best herb for smudging. Other sages have broader application as medicine and spice. Garden sage is universally useful sage. The sage should be picked up before the plant dries out. Then rub the leaves through a screen to produce a fluffy ground sage that makes savory addition to roasted fowl or protein dishes. Garden sage is also a valuable antifungal and anti bacterial agent. Garden sage is also used specifically for drying up milk. These herbs stimulate memory.

Burning sage has been a common practise among all the spiritual groups, healing and many religious groups. The word sage has derived its name from the Latin word salvare. Literally salvare means “to heal.” Sage has been used in smudging ceremonies from many years. It helps in promoting protection, Purification, Immortality and longevity. White sage grows around the coastal areas of Southern California.

The ritual of smudging has been used from many years and it is defined as “spiritual house cleaning.” The smoke which generates from smudging attaches to the negative energy and takes it away. When the smoke clears the negative energy and removes it from the place then it regenerates some positive energy and cleanses the place. There have been studies that have proved that the smoke which is released by burning sage changes the ionization polarity of air around us.

Smudging with sage can help to cleanse almost anything for example living space, personal items and also our body. Smudging ceremonies start by lighting smudge stick. Once they are burned one must wave around them to extinguish the flame. Then one should gather the smoke which comes out and draw it around the perimeter of the body. If one wants to direct the smoke towards any object or any person then he could simply blow the glowing embers or simply use the ceremonial feather to fan the ember towards that direction. When one is dealing with and individual spirit or an individual body then he should pay special attention to the areas of unbalance and area of stress.

If a person is smudging in a living environment then he should start from the doorway. Then he should start smudging in a clockwise direction. People must cleanse everything including the walls, door frame, and the windows. Proper attention should be paid to the corners and the top of the walls. After we purify and cleanse our body and our rooms with sage and properties of sage, a new space is created for awareness and also new direction to take its place.

There are many different varieties of sage and most of them are used for smudging. The botanical name of true sage is salvia and the interesting thing about it is that salvia comes from a Latin word “salvare” which means “to heal.” Some of the other varieties of sage are Salvin Artemusia, Sage brush and mugwort. Burning sage always helps in driving bad spirits away and also doesn’t allow any spirit or bad influence to enter the area. In plains the floor of the sweat lodge is covered with sage and the smudging ceremony takes place there. Sage is also spread on the ground in a lodge or on an altar where the pipe touches the earth. Sage purifies the objects wrapped in it, so many nations wrap their pipes in sage. Sage wreath is also placed around the wrists and heads of sun dancers. Sometimes one person smudges or many people smudge using hands or feathers. One must always keep praying that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse their spirit.

Salvia apiana or the white sage is an evergreen plant that is native to the northwestern Mexico and United States. It is found mainly in the coastal areas of Baja California and Southern California, in the western edges of Sonoran desert and Mojave.

White sage is a shrub which grows till 1.3 to 1.5 meters tall and 1.3 meters wide. Its white evergreen leaves contain resins and oils that produce strong aroma when they are rubbed. The flowers attract large number of bees which is described by a specific epithet called apiana. Many flower stalks which are of 1 to 1.3 metres and sometimes pinkish in color grow above the foliage in spring. But the flowers are white to pale lavender. Of all the different kinds of sage true white sage is considered to be the best herb for smudging. Only few dried leaves of white sage which are curled up at the bottom of a shell get ignited very fast. After they are burnt they emit a cloud of white purifying smoke. The smell of white sage can invoke peaceful thoughts. It is very difficult to grow white sage out of their native country but since they bring peace and purify the atmosphere it is a worthfull effort to grow them.

When the white sage is grown in sand and soil they produce many thick leaved white sage wands. These can be harvested and dried for using later. In winter if there is heavy snowfall then the white sage can tend to get buried under snow and sometimes they are destroyed. But they grow nicely in spring and produce greenish white leaves. In summer many times the flower stalks tend to grow till 6 feet. The smell of white sage brings peace in the environment.

When sage is harvested in a green house their germination rate is around 10-15% and fire treating can help in producing better results. These days due to new home constructions the germination rate is diminishing and the development of white sage is being harmed. Domestication is a great way through which we can keep white sage viable on earth.

To cultivate white sage one must sow the seeds shallowly and water them once daily. Their average germination rate is 14 days. One must wait until the seedlings mature and then do transplanting with the second set of leaves. White sage grows well in a dry sunny exposure. It is important to have a proper drainage system. People must use thick mulch of shallow sand to improve heat retention. Selecting the right kind of soil and sun exposure is very important as it will improve overwintering.

One must harvest them in summers or during the fall when the sage is at its prime. All the leaves of white sage should not be picked. As it will divest the white sage plant from its resources. Once the leaves get supple, leathery and limp then it becomes safe to place several stalks together and tie them with a cotton string to make a proper smudge stick.

The traditional incenses that are used to offer ceremonial functions, purification and cleansing are known as White Sage Incense. In some of the Native American tribes the tribes use the Sage incense as a form of protection. Having its spiritual values it has become part of various cultures across the world today.

The herbal as well as the tree incense are burned on charcoal whereas the White sage Incense are a hand tied with cotton embroidery floss and are available to use just after taking it out of the shrub and wrapping it. It’s very easy and can be lighted by just a matchstick and waved in the air when it catches flame. It could be burned and offered to the entire house or may be used to carry out the traditional rituals and offerings. The whole bundle may not be used at once but can be extinguished and re lit whenever required next.

Burning of sage has always been regarded to be spiritual and a source to purify an environment. The sage incense can be burned just at any place a person wants to. It can be a yoga class, gym, living room or a place of worship.

Burning sage incense is also considered one of the other means to reduce stress situations and have been known for having great medicinal benefits too. Over the years people have found it pretty good to fight stress depression and some other problems. The sweet smell certainly brings a change in the environment and can change the mood of people too.

Sage burning is also popular greatly among Native American tribes for smudging purposes. They believe that while burning of this sage they could fight the negative energy and keep the evils away.

Purposes are different and people have different reasons to burn sages however the impact and the principle remains the same of leaving a better and purified environment.

There are certain people who believe that in order to make their dreams come true they can write their names on a sage leaf and keep it below their pillow for 3 days while sleeping. Once the wish is achieved they burn the sage, however if it does not happen they burry it below the earth.

The smudge can be burnt in the bundle form or can or may be loose placed in a bowl or a dish which can prevent the smoldering ash problems.

A custom, belief or just a practice whatever it may be sage burning has been popular among various sects and societies around the world for ages now. Used as a cleanser for spells Sage is taken as a bundle and then set to smoulder which produces thick smoke which and user waves around their homes as a process to dispel “evil energies.” In other words it is also referred to as one of the smudging activities popular mostly among the Native American tribes.

One common mistake that people often do is confusing sage with a sage brush. The sage brushes are the components which are tied together in order to form the smudging sticks. It is also regarded as one of the traditional magical usage practiced by the Plains Indians as a part of exorcism and purification. Another belief popular regarding burning of sage is that it can drive away malevolent forces and can be used for healing purposes as well. Some other beliefs also include that inhalation of smudge of sage brush can help an individual to purify himself/herself from their past deeds and evils. It is also believed that burning of sage can be a great factor to ensure long life and promote immortality.

Smudging can also be utilised as a part of promoting wisdom with the sage leaves being used for countless wealth and healing spells. A popular belief among the Native American is of the thinking that sages can actually achieve some wishes or dreams of individuals. They belief that if a person writes on a sage leaf his wish or dream and keep it under his pillow for three nights while sleeping the dream actually turns into reality. However on occasions when the dreams do not materialise for any reasons the common practice is to bury the sage beneath the earth’s surface so that it does not do any harm to the concerned person.

Whatever be the perception of the people who use it or not sage burning has shown that it has some positive aspects to affect lives of many. It surely does bring a change to an environment and also is known to have the potential to change the mood of individuals and can even help to reduce their stress when required. Today the ritual of sage burning has gone popular in many parts of the world and people use it for both traditional and healing purposes. Smudging a popular tradition has more benefits to add to and is surely a worth to try.