Smudging means burning herbs, wood or resin to fill your home with smoke. The best-known example is a bundle of white sage that you light and blow out, so it slowly smoulders. Many people do it to give a space a fresh start, after a move, a busy period or simply as a regular ritual. In this guide you'll learn what you can burn, how to smudge step by step, how to do it safely and why it matters where your white sage comes from.
What is smudging?
The word comes from the English "smudge", to smoulder and give off smoke. Burning herbs and resins for scent and ritual is ancient and found in many cultures: incense in churches and temples, copal in Central America, palo santo in South America. Burning white sage comes from the traditions of Indigenous peoples in the south-western United States. For them it's a sacred act, and that deserves respect. So smudging is above all a ritual: a conscious moment to freshen up your space and yourself. We don't promise any health effects.
What can you burn?
| White sage | Palo santo | Copal | Incense sticks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Dried leaves of Salvia apiana, bundled into a stick | Sticks of wood from the Bursera graveolens tree | Resin from tropical trees | Pressed fragrance on a stick |
| Scent | Herbal, powerful, slightly camphor-like | Sweet, woody, slightly citrusy | Fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy | Depends on the type |
| How to burn | Light the tip, blow out the flame, let it smoulder | Light the stick, let it burn for 30 seconds, blow it out | On a glowing charcoal or in a burner | Light, blow out, put in a holder |
| Smoke | A lot | Little to moderate | A lot, dense | Little |
| Best for | A whole room | A short moment, small spaces | A strong, traditional ritual | Daily, calm use |
At Dutch-Smart you'll find, among other things, the White Sage smudge stick, Amazonian Palo Santo and Copal Manila. Want the scent of sage without much smoke? The White Sage incense sticks by Satya are a calm alternative. You can read more about palo santo in our blog Enter the magical world of Palo Santo.
What do you need?
- A smudge stick or another herb or wood to burn.
- A fireproof bowl: traditionally an abalone shell, filled with a layer of sand. The Abalone smudge set with Cobra tripod comes with a stand, so the shell sits steady.
- A lighter or matches.
- Optionally a feather or your hand to spread the smoke.
- For resin: a burner such as the Green Tree incense pan with handle or the brass incense burner, and charcoals.
Smudging with white sage in 7 steps
- Open a window or door. The smoke needs somewhere to go.
- Hold the stick at an angle over your bowl and light the tip. Let it burn for a few seconds.
- Blow out the flame. The tip now glows and gives off smoke. If it goes out, light it again.
- Walk slowly through the room with the bowl under the stick, so no ash falls on the floor.
- Waft the smoke with your hand or a feather towards corners, doorways and windowsills. Many people work clockwise, from the front door towards the back.
- Put the stick out by pressing the tip into the sand in your bowl. Not under the tap, or it gets wet and won't burn well next time.
- Let the smoke clear and let the stick cool completely before putting it away.
Smudging with resin or palo santo
You don't light copal and other resins directly. Put a charcoal in a burner with a layer of sand, light it and wait until it glows grey. Then put a grain of resin on it, about the size of a pea. You light palo santo like a stick: let it burn for about 30 seconds, blow out the flame and let it smoulder. Palo santo often goes out by itself, that's normal.
White sage: mind where it comes from
White sage (Salvia apiana) grows wild in Southern California and northern Mexico. Because of the popularity of smudging, the plant is being picked illegally on a large scale in nature reserves, and Indigenous communities have been calling for its protection for years. So choose cultivated sage, or pick an alternative:
- Common sage: kitchen sage (Salvia officinalis) grows easily in your own garden and you can dry and bundle it yourself. No garden? Use dried common sage.
- Incense sticks with sage, such as the White Sage by Satya.
- Combinations such as Palo Santo and White Sage by Tribal Soul.
Making your own smudge stick
- In summer, cut stems of about 20 centimetres from common sage, lavender or rosemary.
- Lay them in a bundle with the tips all facing the same way.
- Wrap cotton string tightly around it, from bottom to top and back again. Don't use synthetic thread, it melts.
- Let the bundle dry for two to three weeks somewhere dark and airy.
- Once it's completely dry and rustles, it's ready to use.
Safety
- Never leave a smouldering stick or charcoal unattended, and keep it away from curtains and paper.
- Always ventilate. Smoke in a closed room irritates your eyes and airways.
- Asthma, COPD or sensitive airways: better not to smudge, or choose a low-smoke incense stick.
- Pets and children: keep them out of the smoke. Birds in particular are very sensitive to smoke.
- Smoke alarm: keep it in mind, but never switch it off.
- Put it out properly: press the tip into sand and check after a few minutes that it's really out.
- Charcoals get very hot. Use a burner with sand or a handle and don't touch them.
Common mistakes
- Smudging with a flame: you want smoke, not fire. Always blow out the flame.
- Keeping windows closed: the smoke lingers and irritates. Always open something.
- Putting it out with water: a wet stick burns badly. Press the tip into sand.
- Not using a bowl: glowing bits fall onto your floor or sofa.
- Lighting resin directly: copal needs a glowing charcoal.
- A homemade stick that's too fresh: if it isn't fully dry, it smokes heavily and burns poorly. Wait until it rustles.
- Ignoring where it comes from: choose cultivated white sage or an alternative such as common sage.
Frequently asked questions
How often can you smudge?
As often as you like, for example after a move, a busy period, an argument or at the start of a new season. Ventilate well each time.
How long does a smudge stick last?
That depends on its size. If you use it for a few minutes each time, a small stick will last several sessions.
What's the difference between white sage and common sage?
White sage (Salvia apiana) comes from California and has broad, silvery-white leaves with a powerful scent. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the kitchen sage you can easily grow yourself in the Netherlands. Both are suitable for burning.
Can you smudge with palo santo and sage together?
Yes. Many people start with sage and finish with palo santo for its sweeter scent. There are also ready-made combinations.
Is smudging harmful?
Smoke is never healthy to breathe in. Keep it short, ventilate well and skip it if you have sensitive airways.
Where can I buy smudge products?
You'll find smudge sticks, palo santo, resins and burners in our smudging and incense categories.
Sources: EcoWatch, White sage poaching, High Country News, Sage advice.
