Smudging

Smudging is the burning of dried herbs or resins to purify a space, an object or a person with their smoke. It has roots in many cultures, from the incense of Mediterranean temples to Mesoamerican copal. The term smudging comes from ceremonies of Indigenous peoples of North America, which carry their own sacred meaning, so it is best not to appropriate those rituals. White sage is overharvested because of commercial demand; rosemary, lavender, bay or responsibly sourced incense are used instead. Ventilate well and never leave embers unattended while practising it.