Make your own smudge sticks

Written By Florence Jackson

‘If you’re feeling the rage, it’s time to sage’
'If you're holding a grudge, then it's time to smudge'
'If your house made you cry, it's time to purify'

~ Flow, 2019

You may be more familiar with the art of smudging than these neat lil’ phrases I just made up! Sage smudging or burning is an ancient spiritual ritual established in Native American culture, to cleanse a person or space and to promote healing and wisdom. Smudging has been known to remove bacteria from the air, reduce stress, help you feel more grounded and rid your space of negative energy.

You will need:

  • Sage* (you can also use other herbs such as lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus). You’ll need between 5-10 branches per stick

    *You want the whole plant with stems/ branches and not the dried ones you find in Tesco’s obvs

  • String

  • Patience, Daniel-san!

  • Matches or a lighter

To make:

First of all, you will need to dry your sage…

  • Cut the sage to your desired length (I find between 15-20cms is a good size

  • Bunch 5-10 branches together into a bundle and begin wrapping your string around it. It helps to do tie a knot at the bottom to keep it all in place while you cover the rest.

  • Tie string around on one end of the sage branches and find somewhere dry (preferably above a radiator or curtain rail) to hang your sage

  • Leave to fully dry out for appx 7-14 days

Once your sage is fully dried (it won’t burn properly unless it is!)

It’s time to burn!

  • Light one end of your stick using a lighter or some matches,

    thick smoke will begin to drift from the stick releasing a lovely

    sage-y aroma, you can then take it for a little walk around your

    house to rid your space of negative vibes!

Important* As with everything, it's always best to test these things for yourself. I personally love the smell and instantly feel relaxed... so it definitely does the trick for me!

WARNING* Be careful not to let any blims fall onto your lovely bohemian rugs and always ensure it has FULLY been put out after use and is kept on a surface that is non-flammable (like a metal bowl or a piece of slate).

Happy Sage-ing!

Much love,

Flow x

Florence Jackson