Smudging is the burning of dried herbs to create smoke that can be used to purify negative energy. The ritual of herb burning can clear chakras and refresh spaces.

In my first post about smudging, I talked about how you can use it to clear chakras, then my next post was about using smudge to refresh the energy of your house. In this post, I’ll give you a list of 5 common herbs for smudging including a bit of background about each, the types to use for cleansing, the ones to use for blessing, what they smell like, and how to purchase them to support air purification. Learn how herb burning supports the removal of negative energy, and how to know which smudging herbs will work best for you.

WHAT IS SMUDGING?

Basically, smudging is the use of smoke to cleanse and purify energies. It is a slow methodical process intended to be carried out as a ritual in a mindful manner.

As many of us know, it can be draining to be stuck inside for long periods of time. Because of COVID, we can all say that we’ve been there. That means that the energy in our bodies and in our houses has more than likely become stale, lacking flow, and has gotten congested. When this happens, it can cause us to get depressed, feel stuck, and even compromise our health.

One thing that I like to do to get things moving again is to smudge. In fact, smudging has been around for thousands of years and is the indigenous American form of incense use that was practiced in Asia and Europe. (Spiritual Scents)

The following herbs are ones that I have personally used to clear energy in my chakras, crystals, and my house.

Common smudging herbs

WHITE SAGE

I pick my own white sage during the summer months and dry it to use for smudging. It has a distinct light woodsy scent that smells a bit like burned grass when it is ignited. It’s the best-known smudge as the abundant smoke it provides once the flame is blown out is purifying and can be used to cleanse chakras, crystals, and spaces.

White sage can be purchased loose as leaves, tied in bundles, or mixed with other herbs to create a smudge stick.

Want to learn how to smudge your chakras? Check out this post.

PRAIRIE SAGE

I also pick my own prairie sage and tie it into bundles before letting it air dry. Prairie sage has a stronger scent than white sage and therefore can be a stronger air purifier. It may be too strong a scent for some so is not as popular to use for smudging chakras even though it can still be used for clearing the energy of spaces.

If using prairie sage for smudging, it’s a good idea to open a window after you’re done to let the room air out as the smell will linger longer than the scent of white sage.

Because both types of sage have a stronger scent than sweetgrass, they tend to be used for cleansing energies in ceremonies rather than for blessing.

CEDAR/JUNIPER

Cedar and juniper have similar scents and either one can be used for cleansing, blessing, or as an offering. If you find the scent of sage is too strong, cedar smoke or juniper smoke may work better for you.

One thing to note is that I find cedar and juniper hard to light when they are not tied in a bundle. If this happens to you, place the dried small scalelike leaves in a shallow dish to burn them along with the other herbs.

SWEETGRASS

Sweetgrass is a sacred grass that is burned after smudging with sage, cedar, or juniper. Its sweet scent can be used to bless your life with sweetness and goodness as sweetgrass is able to shift the vibration of the air element to transform one’s environment. It is said to connect humans to the spirit world and allows one to call forth the energy of peace and love and to ensure space is filled with the highest possible vibration.

Sweetgrass has the subtle smell of vanilla and is generally available braided and dried. To burn sweetgrass either light the braid or cut some of it off and place it in a shallow dish and light it there to create the smudge smoke.

There you have it, the 5 common herbs I use for smudging to clear congestion from my chakras and my home. Whether you use white sage with its delicate woodsy aroma, prairie sage with its deeper woodsy earthy scent, cedar or juniper with their delicate fresh aromas and hints of resin, or sweetgrass with its sweet smell that falls somewhere between the scent of vanilla and warm hay, you can take advantage of the energetic cleansing qualities of herb smoke to remove negative energy.