Burning sage to drive away bad energy?
At first glance, the idea may seem a little strange...
Yet, it is an ancient Native American ritual that has been around for millennia!
Burning white sage is a rite of protection and purification.
The practice is similar to myrrh and frankincense, which are burned in churches.
For centuries, many cultures have used sage leaves in their cleansing and healing rituals.
But then, what's the point of burning sage at home?
Many people use this practice to purify their home and feel better at home.
But these are far from the only virtues!
Here are 11 health benefits of this practice that everyone should know about. Watch:
Sages used in purification rites have powerful antimicrobial properties.
This means that they can repel pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi.
For example, prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana ) has both antimicrobial and antibacterial properties (study 1, 2).
As for white sage (Salvia apiana ), it is antimicrobial.
It is also given repellent properties against insects (3).
Turns out sage doesn't just repel bugs and bacteria.
Indeed, many people believe that burning white sage produces negative ions.
And subsequently, these negative ions help to neutralize the positive ions that accumulate in the air.
Be aware that positive ions are present in several substances that cause allergic reactions:
- pet dander,
- Pollution,
- dust, and
- mold.
Thus, burning sage to purify the air can have a beneficial effect in people who suffer from asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders (4).
On the other hand, directly inhaling the smoke when burning sage can worsen your respiratory condition.
This is why it is recommended to wait until the smoke has completely dissipated before returning to a room where you have just burned sage.
White sage has been used for centuries to connect to the spiritual world, to increase focus and to amplify one's senses.
Thus, in traditional cultures, healers and lay people burned sage to reach a deep state of healing – but also to meditate or solve spiritual dilemmas.
The spiritual use of sage has a scientific explanation.
Indeed, some sages of the genus Salvia (5) like prairie sage (6) contain thujone.
However, many studies have proven that this molecule is slightly psychoactive (7).
In fact, thujone is present in many plants used in sacred rituals to amplify the senses.
Many people burn white sage as a ritual to clear negative energies from their body and living space.
This ritual allows you to unload negative emotions and charges from the past, from a bad experience or an unpleasant encounter.
It can also help you bring balance and positivity back to your living space or any other place laden with negativity.
Thus, by choosing to chase away your negative thoughts, you create a positive environment that improves your outlook.
To discover: Take The Challenge:30 Days To Be Positive And See La Vie En Rose!
Burning sage produces a thick, fragrant smoke, known for its purifying benefits.
You can use white sage sticks to clear your mind or your living space. But not only…
Indeed, many people also use this ritual to purify objects.
For example, you can purify and drive out negative energies from any object:newly purchased objects, second-hand objects and also gifts.
So if you think something new or old is loaded with negativity, the swirls of white sage can help you purify it.
According to its traditional use, burning sage can literally uplift the spirit, to the point of dispelling all negative energy.
However, scientific research supports this theory.
Prairie sage (also known as white mugwort) has been proven by researchers to be an effective remedy for relieving symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders (8).
To discover: 19 Natural Remedies To Fight Anxiety WITHOUT Drugs.
Burning sage can not only improve your mood, but the ancient ritual can also help you deal with stress.
American researchers have discovered that white sage (Salvia apiana ) has a high content of compounds that act on certain receptors in the brain (9).
These receptors play an essential role in reducing stress and even relieving pain.
To discover: 11 Simple Remedies To Eliminate Stress In Just A Few Minutes.
The smoking ceremony is traditionally used to eliminate negative thoughts that prevent sleep.
In fact, several researches indicate that sage contains natural compounds that help relieve insomnia (10).
In fact, as with white sage, the leaves of common sage (Salvia officinalis ) are also burned to improve sleep quality and soothe anxiety.
To discover: 10 Effective Plants To Help You Sleep (WITHOUT Sleeping Pills).
In addition to clearing negative energy, improving mood and heightening the senses, burning white sage can also improve memory and increase concentration.
According to a review of several studies, sages of the genus Salvia possess powerful cognitive benefits (11).
The results are promising, especially in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
However, more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
To discover: According to a Study:Smelling Rosemary Increases Memory by 75%.
Chasing bad energies from your body, objects and your personal space allows room for positive energies.
For many people, it can also have an energizing effect and help fight fatigue.
In fact, several plants similar to prairie sage are also used in the smoking ceremony.
And most of these herbs have scientifically proven anti-fatigue benefits (12).
To discover: Need Energy? 15 Healthy Snacks to Take Anywhere.
For many people, this is surely the best of the benefits of white sage.
Indeed, used in incense, sage sticks give off a sweet and natural fragrance.
Thus, burning sage in your home is a simple and effective way to deodorize and eliminate bad smells.
It's much more natural than using harmful chemicals for your health.
To discover: 10 Homemade Air Fresheners To Make Your Home Smell Great All Day.
Burning sage in a purification ritual (also known as smudging) is simple and requires few materials:
- a stick of white sage (or smudge stick )
- a large shell like an oyster or a small bowl to deposit the ashes
- matches or a candle to light the stick
- optional:a feather or a fan to disperse the smoke
There are many varieties of sage that you can burn to purify your inner space. Traditionally, we use:
- white sage or sacred sage (Salvia apiana )
- other varieties of the genus Salvia
- white prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana )
- other varieties of the genus Artemisia
To support and respect cultures that have developed the practice of smudging , buy sage sticks of Native American origin, like here.
- Before burning sage, it is recommended to set your goal. Do you use it for spiritual purposes? To drive out bad energies? Define the reason why you are going to burn sage.
- Be sure to keep pets out of the room you are purifying.
- Open a window before, during and after smudging . This will allow the smoke to dissipate.
- Be sure to follow the steps above. Remember that for many people the smoke of white sage helps clear spaces and clear negative energy.
Follow these steps to burn sage, whether it's to purify your living space or an object. You can purify them as often as you want.
1. Light the end of your sage stick with a match.
2. Let it burn for 2-3 seconds, then blow on it to extinguish the flame.
3. Burning the leaves should give off thick, fragrant smoke.
4. Hold the sage stick in one hand, and use the other hand to direct the smoke around your body and into your living space.
5. Allow the smoke to permeate the areas of the body or your living space that you wish to purify. To better direct the smoke, you can also use a fan or a feather (optional).
6. Place the ashes in a bowl or other container.
- Direct the smoke from the sage stick to any surface and any space in your home or living space.
- Be thorough. Direct the smoke into every corner of the room:the door, windows and even inside furniture and cupboards.
- Whether it's a single room or the whole house, go around the space until you return to the starting point. The main thing is to carefully direct the smoke on all surfaces.
- Use sage smoke to purify a newly acquired object (jewelry, furniture, clothes), to protect them or to rid them of their negative energy.
- Similarly, you can also purify any object linked to a bad memory or which is charged with negative energy.
- Many people burn sage to purify objects that are important to them and give them sacred meaning.
- To do this, simply spread the smoke on and around the object you want to purify.
- Use your hand or a fan to better direct the smoke.
After purifying an object or living space, make sure the sage stick is completely extinguished.
To do this, simply tap the lit end of the stick in a small bowl of wood ash or sand.
Be sure to check the end to make sure the embers are completely extinguished.
Once turned off, store the stick in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
- If the ritual is done correctly and respectfully, burning sage is safe. Plus, its benefits continue even after the smoke clears.
- Be careful when holding the lit sage stick in your hand. Otherwise, you risk burning yourself or even causing a fire. So, also make sure you always have water nearby.
- Never leave a lit sage stick unattended. Be sure to completely turn off your sticks after each use.
- Burning sage can set off smoke detectors. Don't forget if you're purifying your office or other public space.
- People who suffer from asthma or other respiratory disorders are more sensitive to smoke, which can produce adverse reactions.
- When burning sage, always keep a window open. Inhaling smoke can be hazardous to your health.
My opinion on this ancestral ritual?
Burning sage is a practice renowned for its spiritual benefits.
Several studies have proven some of the health benefits of sage.
Known for its antimicrobial properties, sage as a cleansing ritual also promotes focus, but more research is needed.
Indeed, apart from research on the cultural and spiritual aspect of this ancestral practice, there are few scientific studies on the benefits of burning sage.
Remember that burning sage is a sacred ritual among Native Americans. So, treat this practice with all due respect.
