Smudging...good for
the spirit...
Note - Not all items are
in stock at all times. Please e-mail for availability.
What does the
smell of pine bring to your mind?? A weekend of camping, that day foraging
for mushrooms, or maybe Christmas ?? Pine is one of the many aromatic
herbs used for what is termed smudging. Smudging is using fire to change
a flower, leaf, root, bark or resin from its physical form to its spirit
form of smoke. The aroma and elements of a particular herb then can
be used to clear negative, or unhealthy energy and to invoke positive
or healthy energy into a space.
The Native Americans of North America, as with many other cultures in
history, depended on the plants to sustain life, both as medicine and
food. But as times have changed, there is less involvement with the
natural world around us, and less time spent enjoying the aromas that
can connect us both to physical and spiritual health. Smudging is a
way to reconnect and enjoy our spiritual connection with the plant world.
The herbs used in smudging are usually known as sacred herbs to the
culture with which they are associated. Sacred is used here to mean
the herb is worthy of respect and/or used in ceremony. Something being
sacred cannot be sold or bought, but the value can be shared with others,
that their journey might be filled with good.
Most of the references I use will be associated with the Cherokee and
“mountain folk” teachings shared by J.T. Garrett, in his
book “The Cherokee Herbal”. But that does not mean that
the use by other cultures is less important, merely that I am not as
familiar with those teachings.
If an herb you use is not included here, drop me an email and we will
discuss the possible inclusion of it on this list.
The following site explains one way of smudging:
http://www.bmcc.org/Bimaadzwin/Traditions/smudging.htm
Below, I am
listing the herbs, according to the connection with directions on the
Medicine Wheel, with brief explanations of why.
*Herbs of the
East*
The East is associated with family, clan, one’s
support circle, and protection of that circle of family and friends.
The plants of the east are often cleansers, or used for to protect or
bring the body into balance.
*Herbs of the
South*
The primary focus of the southern herbs is related
to the protection of the skin, from infections and inflammations. It
is also about protection from physical harm in the environment. Pine,
rosemary and sage can be included in the south medicine.
Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)
Is a
mild sedative, and has a light, and refreshing scent. Can be used for
nervousness or insomnia, to reduce depression and grief. Is good used
in meditation.
$1.25 per oz 
Pine
Needles (any species)
All are considered sacred. Which ones used depended on
the area in which you were living. Loblolly is the most common species
in OK, Ark, LA and Texas. But there are some junipers and pinions in
the far western panhandle of OK. Most species used today, depend on
a person’s personal preference. Used to renew fires after a death
or to renew a friendship.
Juniper
$2.25 oz
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Is an antiseptic, and can relieve pain and stress.
$2.25 oz
Sage
Is used for “clearing ways” or the cleansing
of negative or unhealthy energy, especially helpful used to cleanse
individuals when they come together for meetings or ceremony. Desert
sage (which grows wild, even in OK), or the more aromatic white sage
is generally used today.
Desert Sage
$2.25 oz
White
Sage
$2.50 oz
Tobacco
True wild tobacco, or Nicotiana rustica, was smoked and
used as “gifts”, to the sacred fire or to elders or other
respected members of a gathering. Nicotine, the toxin in tobacco is
poisonous, and is not recommended for regular smoking use.
*Herbs of the
West*
The key principle of the west is balance. Water and
cleansing are very important. It is also about animal medicine, with
bear being the featured animal. Bear represents strength and endurance,
while the water represents healing and cleansing. The west is where
a person’s physical strength and endurance is restored.
Juniper can be included here, because of its antiviral properties. Pine
and Sage can be considered western medicine when used in a formula for
healing spiritual or physical. Tobacco can also be used in this direction
Cedar
leaf (Thuja occidentalis)
Cedar is a member of the cypress family. The eastern
white cedar was a gift from the Iroquois. The eastern red cedar or red
juniper, is the one we feature. It is used for clearing and blessings.
Do not use while pregnant.
$2.25 oz
Rose
The Cherokee, or wild rose was used as a medicine, but
I am sure, the women also used it as a wash for the fragrance. It is
primarily a water element. The red roses I offer, produces a heavy,
warm fragrance that lingers after burning. Excellent for meditation
or for attracting love.
$0.75 oz
*Herbs of the
North*
The North plants were used to bring back balance
for the person who was affected by the wind or by breathing, lung weakness
or other respiratory issues. As an elder put it “North is the
direction of calm, the coolness in the early morning on the mountain”,
Eastern red cedar can be included here, for the aroma, to warm the spirit
and protect the house. Lavender because it is sedative and tonic to
relax the nerves, is also anti-inflammatory. Pine is included because
it is an expectorant used to treat coughs and congestion. Sage can be
used in conjunction with other herbs to treat asthma or other respiratory
illness.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi)
A smoke with bearberry will relax the spirit. Often used
in a smoke mix Do not use during pregnancy.
Mullein
(Verbascum thapsus)
Also called Indian tobacco, has been smoked in pipes
to relieve colds, bronchitis and asthma. It is a mild sedative and anti-inflammatory.
$0.75 oz
Peppermint
(Mentha piperita)
Antiviral and sedative. Is a cooling herb.
$0.75 oz
Sweetgrass
(Hierochloe odorata)
Altho not a herb used by the Cherokee, because of it being grown further
north, I have included it because of its widespread use today. It is
considered feminine and attracts good or healthy energy. Has a sweet,
pleasant aroma.
$4.50 a braid
Abalone
Shells
Are used to introduce the water element into the smudging. Use sand
in the bottom, if you use charcoal for burning. Sizes average 5 1/2
to 7 in diameter.
$5.75 each
Feathers
It is traditional to use a bird’s feather to brush the smoke over
a person or object being blessed. Use the underside of the feather to
“wash” the smoke over the object of blessing. It is the
underside of the bird and its wings that face the Mother Earth as it
flies and it is this surface of the feather that offers the blessing
medicine of the bird. Raptor feathers have traditionally been used for
blessing, but it is not legal to sell raptor feathers, so we offer turkey
feathers, painted to look like Eagle feathers. These average 10-14
in. $4.00 brown
10-14 in. $4.00 black
Charcoal
10 pack, each will burn approx 1 hour
$2.50
This list
may change as time goes on. Nothing on this page is recommended as a
medicine.
For information
purposes only.
page updated October 2007
