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Embolden
embolden.world › on-neuropsychology-and-respect-the-complicated-history-of-sage
On Neuropsychology and Respect: the complicated history of sage - Embolden Psychology
Burning sage, also known as smudging or cleansing, is an ancient indigenous North American spiritual ritual. Scientifically, it has been established that white sage (Salvia apiana) is rich in compounds that activate certain receptors in the brain.
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DesertUSA
desertusa.com › ind1 › smudging-history.html
Smudging - A Short History - DesertUSA
The tree is in the same family, Burseraceae, as the Boswellia sacra, that is the source of frankincense.4 Catholics are familiar with the scents of burning frankincense and myrrh in church, a practice that dates back to the Old Testament (Exodus 30:1-10). ... Smudging, though, is most associated with northern Native American traditions. Sage is not the only herb used in smudging ceremonies; cedar, tobacco, yarrow and sweetgrass are used as well.
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Business Insider
businessinsider.com › business insider › news › voices of color › burning sage is more than just a tiktok trend, the practice has sacred indigenous roots
Burning sage is more than just a TikTok trend, the practice has sacred Indigenous roots
December 26, 2022 - Burning sage, also called smudging, has become a popular trend across social media. White sage is considered one of the four sacred medicines in Indigenous culture.
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MOUNTAIN SMOKES
mountainsmokes.com › home › history and cultural significance of white sage
History and Cultural Significance of White Sage - MOUNTAIN SMOKES
April 10, 2022 - Childbirth: The Cahuilla women commonly prepared white sage root as a tea purported to promote strength and healing after giving birth. Detox: White sage leaves were burned by the Kumeyaay people in sweat houses to detox and purify the body, purported to remove toxins associated with various ...
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Movingtowardspeace
movingtowardspeace.com › mtpblog › the-ancient-art-of-burning-sage.html
The Ancient Art of Burning Sage — Moving Towards Peace by Christopher Omni
February 5, 2022 - From the ancient Celtic druids who used sage as a sacred herb alongside Oak Moss for burning as well as medicinal purposes, to the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon whose Palo Santo (sacred wood) sage burning ceremonies are still practiced to ...
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bhomescent
bhomescent.co.uk › blogs › news › the-history-and-cultural-significance-of-different-types-of-incense-and-smudging-practices
The History and Cultural Significance of Different Types of Incense an – bhomescent
March 22, 2023 - Incense and smudging have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with origins dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These practices have been used for various purposes, including spiritual ...
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Nawapo
nawapo.com › home › blog › the significance and sacredness of smudging in anishinaabe/ojibwe and native american cultures
The Significance and Sacredness of Smudging in Anishinaabe/Ojibwe and Native American Cultures - Nawapo
November 1, 2023 - Smudging is an ancient spiritual practice deeply rooted in many indigenous cultures, particularly among the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe people as well as other Native American tribes. This ritual involves the burning of sacred herbs, such as sweetgrass, ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/wicca › why is burning sage a closed practice when it grows in europe?
r/Wicca on Reddit: Why is burning sage a closed practice when it grows in Europe?
May 4, 2024 -

I understand the reasoning behind why white sage shouldn’t be used, as that is the species of sage that is native to America and sacred to indigenous Americans. The high demand for the plant is depleting its resources.

But the idea that the sage plant is 100 percent off limits to non indigenous folk in America is strange to me. Sage was used in rituals during Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece and there are over 900 species of sage.

I also personally think that if you’re growing and harvesting your own white sage, then that is fine. I don’t believe the plant inherently “hates” everyone who isn’t indigenous when they approach it with the right intentions. I’ve seen some people claim white sage “hates” white people, which just feels strange to me.

Thoughts? Please keep conversation respectful, I am interested in getting to the bottom of the truth, not offending anyone ❤️

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You’re confusing smudging with just burning sage. Smudging is a Native American spiritual ceremony/ritual. Sage isn’t off limits to everyone.
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Native here. 1st, a bit of a copy/paste from one of the Native subreddits wiki. "It is common today to find many vendors, both Native and non-Native, selling what many Natives refer to as "medicine" at private business or to the general public during events such as Powwows. This category includes natural products such as dried sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco (these four are usually the most common types of natural medicine and are utilized by a number of Tribes across the United States). Many Tribes have ethical gathering practices that ensure these medicines are procured in an environmentally friendly manner and in a way that preserves their spiritual integrity. Purchasing these items from unknown vendors may have unintended consequences and/or may be supporting unethical gathering practices. It is good to inquire about the manner in which these items were procured. However, if you must purchase these items for your personal use, remember to always seek assistance from legitimate Native American vendors." White sage use is not a closed practice. The Ojibwe both sell it, and have tutorials on youtube in its use. Even calling it a "smudge" is not a closed term, as that was used long before Natives used that as a name for their ceremony. It is the exact METHOD that is closed, very similar to some of our rites/rituals from our traditions closed BOS.
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Salon
salon.com › homepage › culture articles › nardos haile's articles
Why you should rethink burning sage and smudging in the new year - Salon.com
December 30, 2023 - Here's why you should reconsider before lighting up the sage this year: ... While this wellness practice has been popularized by wellness gurus and witchy social media influencers, smudging sage originated with the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
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JSTOR
daily.jstor.org › home › archive of most recent posts › plant of the month: white sage
Plant of the Month: White Sage - JSTOR Daily
July 27, 2022 - It’s a member of the mint family ... sage’s only natural wild habitat. Leaves were burned on hot coals to fumigate houses after serious illnesses like measles, tuberculosis, and smallpox....
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Women's Health
womenshealthmag.com › life › what is sage smudging? and is it cultural appropriation?
Burning Sage Without Knowing The Indigenous Practice’s History Is Culturally Inappropriate
March 22, 2023 - While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact date and time for when the practice originated—as Native traditions and stories are often passed down orally—Native communities have been burning sage and other dried plants for spiritual and medicinal benefits for generations.
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Smudging
Smudging - Wikipedia
September 9, 2025 - Its use in regions that have not traditionally used sage for purification is largely a result of the Pan-Indian movement, rather than traditional practice. In some cases it may be in direct opposition to what is traditional for that region. Likewise, not all Native American or Indigenous Canadian cultures that burn herbs or resins for ceremony call this practice "smudging".
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Conscious Items
consciousitems.com › blogs › practice › burning-sage-history
Burning Sage History & Spiritual Benefits | Conscious Items
May 14, 2022 - It wouldn’t be a stretch to say ... history goes way back. There are descriptions of burning sage that trace back to shamans of the Siberian region....
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Mary Snoddy
marysnoddy.com › blog › 2022 › 11 › 30 › sage-smudging-science-or-silliy
Sage Smudging: Science or Silly?
November 30, 2022 - Burning sage was practiced by Native Americans (and perhaps Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans). The intent (varies by source) was either a spiritual ritual, a purification practice, a healing rite, an attempt to rid spaces of insects, or ...
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Mind Body Badass
mindbodybadass.com › home › the cultural appropriation of sage + smudging
The Cultural Appropriation of Sage + Smudging » Mind Body Badass
August 18, 2024 - I have this one piece that was gifted to me that I don’t burn out of symbolic respect. You can also try energy-clearing practices for your space that don’t require any burning, like Himalayan salt lamps, crystals, and diffusing essential oils! It really is magical. (All plants are!) It can be used as a spice, as medicine, and even to connect to spirit. The most important takeaway from this post is to respect sage and the original Native American practice of burning it to smudge.
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Quora
quora.com › Can-I-ethically-burn-white-sage-as-a-non-Indigenous-person
Can I ethically burn white sage as a non-Indigenous person? - Quora
Answer (1 of 18): This is a complex issue. The ethical issue resides within the following facts: 1) white sage is native to a small region in southwestern California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico) 2) indigenous people living in close proximity to the above regions have been using white sage ...
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Tiny Rituals
tinyrituals.co › tiny rituals › a-z guide for burning sage: history, benefits, & how-to smudge!
A-Z Guide For Burning Sage: History, Benefits, & How-To Smudge!
February 7, 2025 - In fact, the Latin word for sage ... and healers across the world. Native Americans and other indigenous people have been burning sage for a long time, as part of their spiritual practices....
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Kripalu
kripalu.org › resources › sacred-art-smudging
The Sacred Art of Smudging | Kripalu
Sage is used to dispel negative energy. Cedar is used for an overall blessing or to cleanse where there has been illness. Sweetgrass draws in positive energy. I have been taught the importance of burning only one herb at a time for smudging; otherwise you are giving mixed messages.
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Myshopify
bethlehem-health.myshopify.com › blogs › news › sage-smudging
Sage & Smudging – Bethlehem Health Shop
The history of incense itself goes back thousands of years to Egypt in 1530 B.C.E. Israel, in the fifth century B.C.E., devoted separate altars for the offering of incense. Herbal smoke mixtures or incense are burned around the world, from China ...
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Learn Religions
learnreligions.com › burning-sage-in-the-bible-5073572
What Does the Bible Say About Burning Sage?
September 25, 2024 - The practice of burning sage began with native cultures in many parts of the world, including Native Americans, holding smudging ceremonies to ward off evil spirits and illness and to encourage positive, healing energy.