Smoke Cleansing

A brief history of smoke cleansing vs smudging:

The practice of using various herbs to produce smokes to cleanse and aide has been used for centuries across many cultures. Each culture has a unique way of utilizing and honoring the plants used from their perspective lands. Each herb is said to have its own effect and purpose. There is controversy among some who fear a misappropriation or misuse of their sacred practices and plants and those who commonly use herbs to smoke cleanse. For example, Native Americans only used white sage during specific rituals that were related to their faith and it was only used by honored tribes members during ceremony. The called this practice Smudging. While Smoke Cleansing can look very similar - it is not at all the same. The purpose of a smoke cleanse is to bathe an object, room, or person, in the essence of the plant so as to embody the various effects that it may have on the senses. Smoke Cleansing can be a fun creative way to create a unique ambiance to any space and does not come with religious ties. Many smokes can be antimicrobial, euphoric, calming, or perhaps refreshing.

There are a great many herbs available to use when smoke cleansing.
Here is a short list of some that are sustainable and not controversial.

Rosemary is considered a cognitive stimulant and can help improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus. The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, and relieving stress in those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances.
Yerba Santa - is used for respiratory conditions including cough, cold, tuberculosis, asthma, and long-term swelling (inflammation) of the airways in the lungs (chronic bronchitis). It is also used for fever and dry mouth. Some people use it to relieve muscle spasms and to loosen phlegm.
Juniper - It is used as a base in many different incense recipes and is known for its stimulating and mind-clearing properties, its cleansing and purification of the atmosphere, its calming and relaxing effect on the nerves, and its sharpening of mental awareness and alertness. It helps to freshen the senses and the mind, while opening the nasal passages and respiratory tract. Juniper’s unique aromatic profile contains fresh, piney, earthy, woody, balsamic, and bittersweet aromas. Juniper is a sturdy, strong, and unyielding tree whose own physical attributes are mirrored in its influence on the human mind, body, and spirit.
Pine - Pine was burned in sick rooms to strengthen the healing process. According to older herb books, pine strengthens the nerves and gives energy, courage, and emotional strength.
Thyme - It is said to have the powers of health, healing, sleep, love, purification and courage. Thyme is burned to attract good health and the Greeks burned it to purify their temples. It is also known to give courage and energy when carried and or smelled.
Lavender - Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses
Garden sage - a different plant than the white sage aforementioned.
Bay Leaf burning has been used a way to relieve stress for centuries. The combination of chemicals (specifically the chemical linalool) in the leaves creates a smoke that, when inhaled, calms the body and mind. The study deduced that subjects felt the leaves effects in under 10 minutes of inhaling fumes.
Rose - When lit, the smoldering bundle of roses produce a highly aromatic fragrance. Great for purification use.
Catnip - was burned for love, peace and happiness within the home
Peppermint - is simply refreshing and soothing.
Lemongrass - is for purifying and cleansing, Lemongrass is also known to have an amazing energizing scent as well which is refreshing and encourages Clarity and Focus.

We no longer offer :

White Sage - This plant's natural habitat is under threat and we feel it is best to eliminate use of the plant in an effort to practice ethical smoke cleansing. There are many alternatives available.

Palo Santo - This is also becoming a vulnerable wood as it is a slow growing tree that we are currently overharvesting so we will no longer purchase such items to do our part in encourage the use of more sustainable plants that offer similar effects.