Why You Shouldn't Smudge Your Home With Sage, And What To Use Instead

The act of burning sage to cleanse a home, space, or even a person has become trendy over the years as a spiritual practice. Also referred to as smudging, it originated from native and indigenous groups who burned dried sage and other herbs to carry out a spiritual cleanse, ward off bad spirits, and get rid of bad personal feelings or ailments. It has also been used to cleanse a space by getting rid of negativity and drawing in positivity, via Yogapedia.

As the spirituality movement has grown, saging has been commercialized and presented as a DIY practice that can be carried out quickly to clear out any harmful energy. Bundles of white sage are easy to purchase, and companies are profiting from the trend. However, smudging is a sacred practice for certain indigenous groups; its true meaning goes beyond its commodification. Here's why you shouldn't smudge your home with sage and what you can do instead.

Many indigenous groups say that sage is to be obtained, given, and received intentionally, which means the practice of buying and selling isn't compatible with the true purpose of the herb. Because it's become a highly demanded product, the way it's obtained harms indigenous communities. Sacred white sage is constantly being stolen from the communities that preserve and grow it. It may be common to find sage branded as "ethically sourced," but it is hardly the case, via Ethos.

Another reason to avoid participating in the commercialized practice of smudging is that it is often done inaccurately. Native American communities typically smudge by putting the plant in a container, lighting it up with a match stick, and then blowing it out gently. The smoke is then floated around the person or area, and the ashes are deposited on the earth outside, per Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. If you aren't carrying out the ritual in this way, you aren't honoring the customs or the community they came from, which is a good reason to stop.

Instead of supporting the mass market of sage kits, you can cleanse your home by burning incense, wood, or other herbs. This is a better practice because these materials aren't connected to the sacred ritual of a particular culture, but have benefits of their own, advises Melanie Hardy. Rosemary, one of the oldest types of incense, has a history of being burned for its ability to cleanse the air and energy in a space. Incense comes in a variety of fragrances that can add a pleasant scent to the air. They are also believed to have different healing properties, improve moods, and assist with meditation and other spiritual practices.

Burning candles and spraying water are other alternatives to smudging with sage. Plain water, salt water, or rainwater blessed with an intention can be sprinkled around a house to cleanse. Similarly, you can burn a candle and carry it around your space purposefully. Utilizing music, bowls, and bells is another way to cover your home with intention through sound, via Exemplore.