The Benefits of Smudging: A Beginner’s Guide

Smudging is commonly known for clearing away bad energy, but did you know it also purifies the air of nearly 94% of harmful bacteria?

The aromatic practice of smudging with sage or other sacred medicines is believed to put negative ions into the air. They weigh down positive ions that wreak havoc on our bodies and minds.

Smudging has a ton of benefits that people don’t know about. From fighting depression to improving your sleep, you can’t go wrong with igniting a smudging stick.

Keep reading to find out how you can incorporate it into your daily life to reap all the benefits of smudging.

Smudging is an art form that has been used by Native Americans for a very long time. The name refers to the act of purifying and cleansing a room with sage that is bundled together. This bundle is a smudge stick.

Once ignited, smoke comes from the smudge stick that rids the space, objects, and people in the room of negative energy. Palo Santo and Yerba Santa sticks have similar benefits.

The bundle also releases negative ions. These have been linked by scientists to some health benefits as well as cleansing properties.

Smudging with high concentrations of ions may cleanse the air of pollen, mold spores, odors, dust, bacteria, and more. The smudge’s negative ions attach to positive ions in the air weighing them down to the floor.

When you smudge your home, you are essentially bathing it from all the negative energy inside. Just like taking a shower, you will feel clean, refreshed, and happy.

Tradition from Native Americans tells us that smudging can lift your spirits and get rid of negative energy in your home and body. White prairie sage in particular is known to relieve anxiety and depression in some cultures.

Many Native Americans and indigenous people believe that sacred medicines were given to people from the creator. These medicines such as sage, Yerba Santa, and Palo Santo heal the spirit, mind, and body.

Others say that smudging removes positive ions from the air as well as their effects on us. Ridding our air of these ions is said to be a natural antidepressant.

The smoke from smudging can change the molecular structure of the energy around us. It produces a calming effect. The smell of the burning herbs soothes feelings of grief, fear, and anger.

Research has shown the use of smudge sticks can rid the air of harmful bacteria. The medicinal smoke can eliminate more than 94% of unwanted bacteria from a room.

You can use smudge sticks to disinfect and purify the air you are breathing for up to 24 hours. White sage and white prairie sage are the best to use in smudge sticks if you want to keep air-borne bacteria at bay.

They have proved to be antibacterial and antimicrobial. That means they can fight viruses, infectious bacteria, and fungi for some time. They also may keep insects from entering your space.

An extra perk is that the smoke smells great. If you begin regularly smudging with sage, you can put your candles and room spray away. It is effective as odor control or a chemical-free air freshener.

Smudging is effective against sleeplessness and stress. White sage contains compounds that activate receptors in the brain. These receptors control your mood elevation and stress reduction.

The smoke can offer such calming effects that it lowers your blood pressure, eases tension, and helps you breathe more normally. The negative ions can absorb into your bloodstream, which may fight off aging and disease.

Classic garden sage, when ignited, may ease insomnia and reduce stress. One study showed that sage regulates sleeping patterns and improves your quality of sleep each night.

One of the best benefits of smudging is its positive effects on serotonin production. The negative ions it produces helps regulate the brain’s feel-good hormone. It helps boost your mood, create a more positive attitude, and improve your ability to focus.

Many people find smudging beneficial for its memory enhancement. Some claim that smudging allows you to think more clearly and enhances your senses.

With more research, sage’s focus and memory benefits could be used to treat Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Smudging has been used for a long time by indigenous peoples to benefit the respiratory and nervous systems as well as the skin. Today, we know that it combats symptoms of allergies, bronchitis, and asthma.

The negative ions released takedown positive ions such as the following allergens.

•  Dust
•  Pet dander
•  Pollution
•  Mold

Many respiratory conditions are aggravated by these things that can hang in the air. If you do suffer from one of these conditions, be careful of the smoke from smudging. It can harm the lungs too.

Instead, consider having a friend or family member perform the smudging. Then you may go into the room after the smoke has cleared.

Smudging is a tradition that has been around for quite some time, possibly centuries. Many have already seen and reaped the benefits of igniting herbs, such as sage.

Burning sage, Yerba Santa, and Palo Santo have an array of benefits as a spiritual practice. Though, there are some physical benefits found by scientists as well.

When you are ready to feel the effects of smudging our team is ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our products and begin reaping the benefits of smudging with sage.