Why You Should Burn Sage In Your Home Before Guests Arrive

Let's be honest: Finding ways to create a space that feels like a serene oasis is always a priority on your to-do list. In order to do that, you need to address the negative energy that may be infiltrating your home. Believe it or not, everything has energy, including the people who enter your space — and there's a simple practice you can incorporate into your lifestyle to ensure your home is as pure, cleansed, and relaxing as can be at all times.

"Burning sage is handed down from Native American civilizations and is considered a spiritual practice that removes negative energy," Taz Bhatia, MD and author of "Super Woman Rx" told Oprah Daily. "Smudging," or burning sage, has been performed for more than 2,000 years in some Native American cultures, according to Yogi Approved. This practice continues to show its popularity in many households today.

While you may think that burning sage after a guest leaves can help release that negative energy, many experts reveal that burning sage before a visit is an essential step in the process as well. It makes perfect sense, right? Read on to see why it's a necessary practice to burn sage before you host any guests, if you're looking for a serene environment without negativity. Before you know it, this cleansing routine will become second nature, and your house will feel rejuvenated.

There are several benefits to the practice of burning the magical herb sage, including helping to remove negative energy, restore balance, and purifying a space, according to Healthline. Most people have experienced entering a home that felt extremely heavy. If you're new to burning sage, there's a good time to perform this cleansing ritual. You may have thought that performing the sacred ritual of smudging after guests leave was all you needed to do, but also burning sage before they even arrive can make your home feel positive and light. "Smudging is best done before and after people come and go from your home," smudging expert Michelle D'Avella of Pushing Beauty explained to MyDomaine. "People's energy can linger in a space, and when the family is around, it's a great time to clear out what was left behind and neutralize the energy," she noted.

Smudging before guests come over is also crucial to the release of negative energy. Energy practitioner Colleen McCann told Vogue, "If you work with a lot of people, in a job where you're interacting with various personalities a lot, shaking hands, traveling, then sageing off on a regular basis can help keep your energetic body in balance." Smudging the areas of your home where guests are most likely to congregate is key (for example, the living room, kitchen, and even a hallway). "This is where people's energy is gathering, so you want to diffuse the space," McCann noted.

Besides helping to clear out negative energy, burning sage can also be an excellent way to rid your home of any unpleasant odors. Whether you're reeling from the unsavory smells left from last night's dinner or trying to mask the scent of beloved pets, sage can help with both. Healthline notes that Salvia apiana (white sage) has antimicrobial properties known for purging harmful bacteria from a home. The outlet also pointed out that sage can help clear your space of other unpleasantries, including positive ions such as mold, dust, and pet dander. In an interview with Vogue, energy practitioner Colleen McCann stated, "Simply put, sage clears bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94% of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air."

Along with eliminating food odors, pet smells, and bacteria, certified aromatherapist Gina Smith Pasqualini of Good Living is Glam told Greatist about an additional benefit. "Whether or not you believe that energy can be cleared by smudging, the scent alone can have a grounding effect." Pasqualini suggested adding aromatherapy to your sage stick in your favorite scents, from lavender, to rose, to thyme.

Why not burn some sage for a healthier, better-smelling abode with all of these amazing benefits? Just don't forget to set your intention!