Meadow’s Guide To Saging
WHAT IS SAGING?
If you’ve ever been to a farmer’s market or scrolled through the depths of Pinterest’s yoga community, I’m sure you’ve seen someone waving around a smoking bundle of burning flowers and sticks. And I’m sure you stopped and wondered, “What is that?” and “What are they doing?”
Well, in most cases, the bundle of smoking sticks that these eco-conscious yoga teachers and farmer’s market artisans are waving around is something called sage.
Saging or smudging is a practice that started thousands of years ago. Many Native American cultures are known for their elaborate saging rituals that were thought to cleanse an area of bad energy and bring good fortune.
A typical sage bundle is made out of—well, you guessed it, sage—palo santo, and a variety of other herbs and flowers. And you can either make your own sage bundle or buy one from an eco-conscious brand like Lit Rituals.
And while saging has origins that date back thousands of years, it’s still a popular practice today. Now, many people across cultures use saging to dispel negative energy and purify air. Plus, it smells amazing!
BENEFITS OF SAGING
Saging may sound a little hippie-dippy and New Age, but some of the benefits of sage are actually rooted in science. A 2007 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacol found that medicinal smoke—aka the smoke from saging—reduced the number of bacterial counts in the air only after one hour. In other words, saging has the potential to reduce airborne bacteria.
Saging is also thought to release negative ions which neutralize positive ions. And typically positive ion allergies are related to pet dander, dust, and mold. However, if you have a respiratory condition, be careful not to inhale the smoke directly and consult your doctor for more information.
And besides physical health benefits, saging could also improve your mood. A 2014 study found that white prairie stage was an important tool in Mexican traditional medicine for treating anxiety and depression.
Saging is also a great way to reduce stress. The routine of saging can be therapeutic and allow you to take some time for yourself in your day. And it was proven in 2016 by a research project for the University of Mississippi that white sage is composed of many compounds that target specific receptors in your brain—namely, the receptors responsible for reducing stress, decreasing pain, and improving general mood.
HOW TO SAGE
For many people, saging can be a deeply spiritual practice, but saging doesn’t have to be an elaborate ceremony or ritual for you to get its benefits. Saging could simply be a tool to help you step back, take a breather, and invite gratitude into your life.
So, with that said, saging can be as simple or complex as you want, but the core process is pretty much the same.
First, open up all your windows and doors, so that the smoke doesn’t accumulate. Then, you’re going to take your sage bundle and light it on fire. It shouldn’t catch fire but smoke. If your bundle catches fire, immediately put it out.
Wave the smoking bundle around your home—or the desired space—being careful not to directly inhale the smoke. And that’s about it.
But note that the sage stick has many other uses, and you can also “ smudge it out” if you want to reduce the amount of smoke releases.
In terms of sage bundles, you can make your own, or buy one. Keep in mind to look for sustainable brands like Lit Rituals and Black and Jane. And remember that different sage bundles will have different healing properties and scents. My favorite is a white sage-based bundle, but experiment with different sages and herbs to see which one you like best.
