Indigenous people all over the world have been using plants and the smoke they produce for various benefits, like driving off insects, cleansing energy, and preventing disease.
Research has shown that the smoke from a variety of herbs is highly effective in reducing airborne bacteria. Some herbs even cleansed the air for up to 30 days.
When to smoke cleanse
Smoke is deeply symbolic. It ascends to heaven, as if bringing any prayers and intentions up to the gods with it.
Here are just a few important times to smoke cleanse:
• when you move to a new home
• before you meditate
• on a Full/New Moon
• to let go of baggage
• to lift your mood
• after negative house guests have left
• after an argument
• to usher in a fresh start
• when feeling sluggish or exhausted
• when “spring cleaning” your house
• after an illness
• just because you want to!
Traditionally, smoke cleansing is made up of four elements:
• The container, symbolizing water
• The sacred plant, symbolizing earth
• The lighting, symbolizing fire
• The smoke, symbolizing air
White Sage is becoming endangered
At Harvest Moon, we don’t sell it. Here’s why!
White Sage is an incredibly sacred plant to Indigenous groups who have developed a reciprocal relationship with it over generations. Now that the world has caught on and smudging with White Sage is a 'trend', corporations are harvesting it at alarming rates, not following local ethical harvesting practices, and demolishing areas where it has historically grown.
It is currently listed at 'High Risk', on its way to becoming Endangered.
To sum up, it's best to avoid using White Sage unless you are part of the Indigenous groups who protect it. This is because:
• It’s over-harvested & becoming endangered.
• It’s traditionally gifted, not monetized.
• Mass production ignores sacred harvesting practices and exploits Indigenous culture.
Check out the list of alternatives herbs below!
Herbs to use for smoke cleansing
Garden Sage: Contains all properties of White Sage! Purifies negative energy, lifts mood, enhances mental clarity, sanitizes air
Rosemary: Cleanses negativity, uplifts the energy, protects space
Yerba Santa: Cleanses negativity, strengthens Third Eye & psychic abilities, connects to Sacred Feminine & Moon
Cedar: Cleanses negativity, provides grounding & protection, repels insects, easily foraged in Midwest
Mugwort: Cleanses spaces, offers protection, enhances dreamwork, strengthens intuition
And more! It's always best to use herbs readily available to you in your area, herbs connected to your personal practice & heritage, and herbs that are not endangered or used in closed practices.
Happy cleansing!
