Make Your Own Smudge Sticks To Banish Bad Energy - Hello Nest

Spring is usually thought of as cleaning season, and as we’re moving towards spring, I do have renewal and organization on my mind. One of my favorite ways of honoring the changing seasons and welcoming good energy into my home is with smudge sticks.

Smudging uses handheld bundles of dried herbs and flowers, which are then bound in twine and burned. The smoke is said to help purify the air and invite good energy into the home. It’s also a great way to put those herbs leftover from that viral recipe you made last week.

DIY Smudge Sticks

When burned, smudge sticks give off a resinous smoke, which is said to burn up toxic energy and bring things back into balance. While frequently used to cleanse places, smudging can also be used to cleanse people and objects. Aside from an increased sense of calmness, the benefits also include increased well-being, clarity, optimism and physical energy.

There are lots of different herbs traditionally used for smudging, but some are easier to find than others. Some of my favorite easy-to-find herbs include:

Sage – is revered as one of the most sacred herbs in smudging practices, renowned for instilling peace and tranquility.

Cedar – another popular choice, is often employed for its properties of renewal, protection, and grounding during smudging ceremonies.

Rosemary – with its aromatic allure, is a go-to herb for promoting mental acuity and purification.

Rose – symbolizing love and luck, is typically burned in rituals associated with matters of the heart, grief, and healing.

Lavender – known for its calming fragrance, is chosen to cultivate peace of mind and induce restfulness.

Frankincense – a resin with ancient significance, is frequently burned to convey prayers and intentions to the divine.

Eucalyptus – known for its invigorating scent, adds a relaxing, spa-like ambiance to any space when used in smudge sticks.

It’s best to use smudge sticks after having just cleaned and sanitized your home. Once you’ve gotten rid of physical impurities like dirt and dust, walk through each room with your smudge stick to cleanse the energies and leave your home feeling fresh both physically and spiritually.

Print Recipe

DIY Smudge Sticks

Servings: 1 smudge stick Author: Stephanie Pollard

Ingredients

• 4 - 5 rose buds or lavender sprigs
• Roughly 15 sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme
• scissors
• twine

Instructions

• Start by trimming your flowers and herbs to size. Secure a long piece of twine around the base of your herb bundle and continue wrapping it until you reach the top. You want to make sure to wrap the twine as tightly as you can so that it stays bound when the flowers dry and shrink.
• When you reach the top, tie your twine securely and trim the excess. Trim off any herbs that happen to be sticking out of the bundle.
• Set your smudge stick aside and allow it to dry for at least two weeks.
• To use, light your dried smudging stick with a lighter or match.
• Starting at the Eastern most room of your home, circle around the room clockwise, wafting the smoke as you go.
• Continue moving in a clockwise direction through the rest of your home, purifying each room similarly.
• Finally, extinguish the smoke under either running water and set it aside to dry. You can reuse the same smudge stick until there is nothing left to burn.

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