Sage should never be harvested, plucked, burned or used in any way, shape or form if you're "under the influence" — so no drinking or smoking and smudging. There's also something to be said for sustainability, so it's wise to burn a single leaf at a time, rather than light up the entire bundle.
For example, blue sage is used in cleansing and healing rituals, while desert sage is used for purifying and protection. Other herbs, including juniper and sweetgrass, can also be burned for similar purposes.
You can also light and burn sage to improve odor, fragrance, and mood. Simply waft sage smoke in and around your home. You can place the bundle in a fireproof bowl or burner and allow it to smoke for a while.
Benefits of burning sage are believe to include:
- Removing bacteria from the air.
- Repelling insects.
- Improving intuition.
- Purifying specific objects.
- Improving mood and reducing stress and anxiety.
Method:
- gather your foraged ingredients.
- Tie the bundle at the base with a secure knot.
- Starting in the centre, wrap the string toward the top of the bundle before returning to the base.
- Hang the bundle upside down in a cool, dry place for at least a week.
- Now it's time to smudge!
Is White Sage endangered?
Sage is used for digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas (flatulence), stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. It is also used for reducing overproduction of perspiration and saliva; and for depression, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease.
In order to burn incense, you first gently ignite it. For example, to burn an incense stick you would use a lighter or a match to light the tip. Once the incense has been ignited, you then gently extinguish the flame, typically by blowing it out. The incense will then glow and begin to produce scented smoke.
Here are some ways you can add fresh sage to your diet:
- Sprinkle as a garnish on soups.
- Mix into a stuffing in roast dishes.
- Combine chopped leaves with butter to make sage butter.
- Add chopped leaves to tomato sauce.
- Serve it with eggs in an omelet.
Transfer the sage to your nondominant hand and firmly grasp your stone and move it through the smoke. Allow the smoke to envelop the stone for about 30 seconds. If it's been a while since your last cleansing — or you feel the stone is holding onto a lot — consider smudging for an additional 30 seconds.
Smudging means that you have to work less to achieve shading. You simply put some graphite down and then smear it to cover a larger area much more quickly, thanks to the resulting blurred shadow. Source. Browse our range of art pencils, pastels and charcoals.
First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Once you have your intention in mind, light the Sage or Palo Santo and hold at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. Allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out.
Frying a strong herb like sage mellows its flavor. Fried sage can be crumbled over a dish to heighten flavor at the last moment. Sage can also be used to add herbaceousness to sauces, compound butters, meat marinades, pastries, and breads. Add fresh sage leaves to cocktails and teas for an instant hit of herbal flavor.
