Smudging — Definition

Smudging in its specific sense refers to ceremonies practised by some Indigenous peoples of North America, in which herbs like sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco are burned for cleansing and prayer. The word is also used more loosely in modern spiritual culture for any incense-based clearing practice. Out of respect, many practitioners now distinguish between Indigenous smudging — which carries specific protocols and lineages — and broader smoke-clearing practices. White sage in particular is overharvested and often sourced unsustainably.

Example

A common modern practice is to burn rosemary or garden sage from a kitchen plant rather than purchased white sage.