Smudging Herbs and their Properties

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Smudging Herbs will drive out negative energies, spirits and influences. Use this as a smudge to purify people and places before any sacred ceremony. There are many varieties of sage, and most have been used in smudging.

White Sage
This sage is used just like desert sage, but many people prefer White Sage because of the sweeter aroma it gives off.

Cedar
This plant can also be used to purify, especially for negative emotions. Cedar needles are used in a similar way to cleanse and bring balance to the emotions and to the male/female (yin/yang) elements. To clear one’s actions and to promote forgiveness, lavender flowers can be added to the mixture to bring the quality of spiritual blessing.

Sweetgrass
This is one of the most sacred herbs used for smudging. This herb is used to bring in positive energy after negative energies are banished by using sage. Sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish bas and perfume-like, musty odor. We were taught that it was good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar had driven out the bad influences. Sweetgrass brings in the good spirits and the good influences. As with cedar, burning sweetgrass while praying sends prayers up to the Creator in the smoke.

Lavender
This herb will restore balance and create a peaceful atmosphere. It will also draws loving energy and spirits.

Mugwort
This herb can used to stimulate psychic awareness and prophetic dreams. The Lakota also believe that when Mugwort is burned it “makes the bad spirits sick”, and they move away from it.

Copal
This resin was used by the Mayans as a food for the Gods. They believe that as the smoke of the Copal would rise, it would carry their prayers to the ears of the Gods. Copal is used in divination and in purification ceremonies. Copal is the Frankincense of the Western Hemisphere.

Juniper
This herb is also used to purify and to create a safe and sacred space. Juniper was often carried in a medicine pouch or a pocket for protection.

Yerba Santa
This herb can be used to purify and to set and protect boundaries. The name of this plant reflects its nature: “Yerba Santa” means sacred herb.

Osha
The root of this plant can be burned as an incense or carried for good luck and protection from bad influences. Osha is also a preferred gift for Native American elders.