The Seasoned Woman

10 Benefits of Burning Sage

Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual.

1. It may be purifying
The most used types of sage have antimicrobial properties.
This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.
2. It may help relieve the symptoms of some conditions
It turns out that sage may help clear the air of bacteria, pet dander, pollution,
dust and mold.

3. It can be a spiritual tool
Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition.
For healers and laypeople, burning sage is used to achieve a healing state or to solve and reflect upon spiritual dilemmas.
4. It may help dispel negative energy
Smudging may also be used as a ritual tool to rid yourself or your space of negativity. This includes past traumas, bad experiences, or negative energies from others. This may help you establish a positive environment for meditation or another ritual. Choosing to sit and let go of negative thoughts in a ritual like this sets your intention and dedication to self-improvement.
5. It can cleanse or empower specific objects
Burning sage creates fragrant smoke central to smudging’s benefits. You can use this incense to smudge yourself or specific spaces. If you have any concern with negative history or energy attached to a new or unfamiliar object, smudging may help bring peace of mind and make the object more sacred to you.
6. It may help improve your mood
Tradition suggests that smudging can literally lift one’s spirits to banish negativity.
7. It may help soothe stress
If burning sage can lift one’s mood, it could also be a great ally against stress.
8. It may improve the quality of your sleep
Smudging has been traditionally used to safeguard against negativity that could interfere with sleep.
9. It may help boost cognition
In addition to dissipating negative energy, improving mood, and strengthening intuition, smudging with sage might improve your memory and focus.
10. It may help boost your energy levels
Ridding the body, objects, and spaces of bad energy can help welcome in newer, fresher, and more positive energies. In a way, this could have an energizing effect and help with fatigue.