How To Make A Sage Smudge Stick From Garden Fresh Herbs

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Smoke cleansing (aka smudging) can be used to promote good energy in your home, to perform a blessing, or to mark any number of mental or spiritual occasions. Read on if you want to learn how to make a sage smudge stick for positive energy and spiritual cleansing.

“So you’re a witch now?”

That’s the question I got when I made sage smudge sticks for the first time! It made me laugh out loud because we had just learned that the tiny town we moved to is rumored to have a huge witch population! Weird, but cool!?

Unfortunately, I only aspire to be cool enough to be a witch someday! The real reason I made smudge sticks was that we had sage growing out of our ears!

I had already dried and preserved about 5 mason jars worth and still had tons left over. Making DIY smudge sticks to use throughout the year seemed like a fun new way to preserve the sage and create a handmade gift to give to friends.

Anyway, in this post, I’ll take a look at:

• What a smudge stick is
• When to use smoke cleansing
• How to make a sage smudge stick – 6 steps
• How to use your smudge stick for smoke cleansing

Table of Contents

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• What is a Smudge Stick?
• When to Use Smoke Cleansing
• How to Make a Sage Smudge Stick – 6 Steps
• How to Use Your Garden Sage Smudge Sticks for Smoke Cleansing

What is a Smudge Stick?

A smudge stick is a bundle of tightly wrapped herbs that are dried and then burned to “cleanse” an area.

Native American cultures traditionally burned bundles of white sage and herbs in spiritual ceremonies. The customs and rituals that Native Americans performed by burning sage were highly religious and were performed for a variety of reasons.

I always try my very best to understand as much as I can about other people and cultures, while realizing everyone’s experiences are different from my own.

Over the years, I’ve realized that smudging can often be considered a form of cultural appropriation.

To be honest, this makes sense because very little of our modern-day use of smudge sticks resemble the highly sacred tradition of the Native Americans.

I would never want to try to copy such a special ceremonial practice when I understand so little of this heritage.

White sage, the herb traditionally grown and used for indigenous ceremonies, has been over-harvested in recent years because of the growing popularity of smudging.

For this reason, I don’t grow or burn white sage which is considered a sacred herb for many indigenous people.

I also now try to refer to the practice as “smoke cleansing” rather than “smudging” to ensure that it isn’t confused with the sacred traditions of indigenous people.

In 2024, sustainability is more important than ever. When you’re crafting your smudge sticks, think about where your herbs are coming from. Growing them in your own garden? That’s fantastic! If not, make sure you’re buying from ethical, sustainable sources. For example, did you know that white sage has been over-harvested and is considered endangered in some areas? That’s why I always recommend alternatives like rosemary or lavender—they’re easy to grow and much more sustainable. Let’s make sure our practices are as kind to the earth as they are to us.

When to Use Smoke Cleansing

Smoke cleansing can be used to symbolize anything you want. It can be used to mark a mental starting point after a particularly hard time or break up, to promote “good energy” in a new home, or to perform a blessing.

There is even evidence that suggests smoke cleansing may help clean the air in your home!

For me, smoke cleansing with a sage stick is a way to practice mindfulness. Smoke cleansing at the start of a new season helps prepare my mind and spirit for the changes that are to come.

The dried sage smells amazing, too, which is always a bonus – especially after a good spring cleaning!

I always feel a little fresher, lighter and more focused after taking a couple of minutes to smoke cleanse my home while breathing deeply and slowing my mind.

It’s crucial to approach smudging with respect and cultural awareness. Smudging has deep roots in Indigenous cultures, where it’s a sacred practice. Before making your own sustainable smudge sticks, take a moment to learn about the history and significance of this ritual. It’s all about honoring the traditions, not just following trends.

How to Make a Sage Smudge Stick – 6 Steps

DIY sage smudge sticks can be made in minutes and are a fresh new way to put your garden herbs to use. To make smudge sticks, you will need fresh sage and other herbs, natural string (or twine), and scissors.

Some of the best herbs to use for smudge sticks:

• Garden sage
• Lemon balm
• Lavender
• Sweet grass
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Pine
• Eucalyptus
• Basically any herb or plant that smells delicious!**Note: Everyone is different and may have allergies to different plants. Stop burning immediately if you notice a reaction to the herbs that were used.**

How To Assemble the Smudge Stick – Guide:

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How to Use Your Garden Sage Smudge Sticks for Smoke Cleansing

Now that you have learned how to make smudge sticks, you are ready to promote positive energy!

Hold the “handle” portion of the smudge stick and use a lighter or candle to light the top of the herb bundle. Let it burn for a few seconds and then carefully blow out the flame.

Allow the dried herbs to smolder as you gently wave the stick around the desired area of your home. Move your smudge bundle into the corners of the rooms and all around to clear energy and make way for positivity.

As always, be smart and please don’t light your house on fire. Hold a fireproof ceramic bowl under the smudge stick to catch any embers that may fall.

Once you are done burning the smudge stick, extinguish it by compressing the smoldering end against the bowl.

You can save any unused portions of the smudge stick to burn at a later date. Relax and enjoy!

SaveSaveWe’d love to see what you come up with! Share your smudge stick creations on Instagram using the hashtag #RootedRevivalSmudge and join our community of wellness enthusiasts. And don’t forget to drop a comment below with your favorite herbs and smudging rituals. Let’s inspire each other and grow together.

Author

• Kaylee Vaughn

  Kaylee is the Founder of Rootedrevival.com. She has set up and run two homesteads, a one-acre in Idaho, and her current two-acre dream homestead in the Pacific North West. Her qualifications include a Permaculture Design Certification from Oregon State University, and she is a Gardenary Certified Garden Coach. Kaylee currently produces at least 80% of her own food. She contributes to our site through articles, training and coaching to our clients. You can read more about her at rootedrevival.com/kaylee-vaughn

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