Although different tribes and traditions use different herbs for
Shamanic smudging, some of the most popular herbs include desert
Sage, white broadleaf sage, juniper, pinon (sometimes in resin
Form), sweetgrass, copal (in resin form), mugwort, lavender and
Sacred tobacco. Here are some general uses for the different herbs
Often used for smudging:
PINON RESIN Primarily fire element though can also be used as for
Four-element general purposes. Has a pleasant and meditative
Fragrance. Is cleansing, strengthening, warming, and used by Native
American cultures for its spiritual and healing properties. Produces
A thick stream of smoke, and is excellent for refreshing the senses
And reviving a tired soul.
COPAL GOLD RESIN Primarily fire and water elements though can also
Be used as for four-element general purposes. When burned, the scent
Is sweet, resinous, slightly woody, mildly earthy and spicy. Was a
Holy incense used by the peoples of Mesoamerica. Traditionally used
As incense in divinatory and cleansing ceremonies. The resin
Contains aromatic chemicals called terpenes, which make it volatile
And flammable. Used by Mayan shamans prior to ingesting mushrooms.
MYRRH RESIN Primarily earth element though can also be used as for
Four-element general purposes. Produces a lot of smoke when burned,
Very earthy, piney scent. Gathered from an almost leafless Middle
Eastern shrub called the Commiphora Molmol. It was used by the
Ancient Egyptians in rituals of Healing and Passing. It is one of
The ingredients used by the Egyptians to embalm bodies. Useful for
Spirituality, meditation, happiness, release, transformation,
Strength, confidence and stability.
FRANKINCENSE RESIN Primarily fire element though can also be used as
For four-element general purposes. Is the resin of an African tree
And produces a rich, dense smoke when burned. Used extensively in
Meditation and healing. In numerous religious traditions,
Frankincense's' spiritual scent was believed to confer divine
Blessing. Pliny the Elder mentioned it as an antidote to hemlock
Poisoning.
DESERT SAGE Primarily air element though can also be used as for
Four-element general purposes. Has a somewhat sharp, light and
Refreshing scent. One of the most sacred herbs among Native
Americans. Used to purify the mind, body and spirit before prayer,
Meditation, ritual or ceremony. Also used to purify sacred items
Such as pipes, magical tools, tarot decks and eagle feathers. Can be
Used for area, house and personal cleansings. Some people carry a
Small amount of Sage in a pocket or medicine pouch to insure
Personal and spiritual safety.
JUNIPER Primarily fire element though can also be used as for four-
Element general purposes. Has a sharp, piney scent. Excellent to
Stimulate and revive when tired in body, mind or Spirit. Used in
Ancient times for ritual purification of temples. Smoke believed to
Aid clairvoyance. Also useful for purification and to stimulate
Contact with other worlds. Burned during the Plague to resist disease.
LAVENDER Primarily air element. Has a light, aromatic and
Refreshing scent. Useful for attracting peace, happiness and restful
Sleep. Also reduces depression, grief and sorrow. Aids in meditation
And divination, and often said to aid in manifestation. Known as Elf
Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike and Lavandar. Traditionally associated
With fairies and elves.
WHITE BROADLEAF SAGE Primarily air element though can also be used
As for four-element general purposes. This is a broad leaf sage is
Highly prized for its strong aromatic properties (strongest of the
Different types of sage). Considered the king if all sages.
Excellent for meditation, divination, smudging, cleansing and
Purification.
YERBA SANTA LEAVES Traditionally used for enhancing psychic
Abilities, magical protection, healing and spiritual strength.
Excellent for meditation and divination. Said to be ruled by the
Moon. One Native American tribe rolled the leaves into balls, dried
It in the sun and chewed it for a natural mouthwash.
HIBISCUS FLOWERS Primarily fire and water elements. Produces a
Sharp, invigorating scent that lasts for a long time after burning.
Often used in divination and psychic communication. Excellent for
Rejuvenating the senses and restoring life force.
ROSE FLOWERS AND PETALS Primarily water element. Produces a heavy,
Warm, aromatic scent with just a hint of sharpness - scent lasts a
Long time after burning. Excellent for meditation, divination,
Increasing psychic abilities, contacting powers and beings in other
Dimensions and psychic communication. Also traditionally associated
With attracting love, conferring peace, stimulating sexual appetites
And enhancing beauty.
SWEETGRASS Primarily air element. As its name suggests, sweetgrass
Produces a sweet and light fragrance that does not last for long.
Excellent for cleansing sacred space. Sweetgrass is a rare grass
Which is found growing wild in very few places. Traditionally,
Sweetgrass is believed to invite the good spirits. You can burn
these herbs singly or in combination with each other. One good
combination that covers all four magical elements of air, fire,
water and earth is pine resin and sage (either desert sage or white
broadleaf sage). This combination is appropriate for general use,
cleansing, ceremony and ritual.
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