DIY | MAKE YOUR OWN SAGE STICK

Sage Sticks. Smudge Sticks. Smudgies. If you're like us, you had never heard of such a thing until, well mid 2020, global pandemic & the world was searching for inner peace and exploring home rituals as a way to connect with both themselves and to create a sense of calm within their space.

Fast forward two years and here we are, turning sage sticks into a new dreamy shade of our everyday Linen wear! Quite an inspiration the old Sage huh? 

Smudge sticks (and the act of 'smudging') comes from Native American culture where they are used in ceremonies to cleanse a space, bless people and places as well as clearing the air. Smudge sticks aka Sage Sticks are created from a range of dried herbs and flowers, tightly woven together with a thin piece of grass / string or cotton. Smudge sticks can include a range of herbs of flowers depending on how you want them to look or smell. From Rosemary to Sage, Lavender to Thyme... whatever you choose to pop in your Sage stick will be the delightful aroma that you will then burn off through the act of 'Smudging'.

Oh, and not just pretty delicious smells but Science has now proven that 'Smudging' (the act of burning your sage stick) literally cleanses the air and acts as an antiseptic - NO WONDER the world turned to Sage sticks in 2020!

In fact, a 2007 scientific study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that medicinal smoke could almost completely eliminate bacteria in the air within a confined space. One hour of burning medicinal smoke reduced airborne bacteria by 94%, and the purifying effects lasted for 24 hours in a closed room - SAY WHAT!?

If you havn't been smudging already with your fresh sage... now's the time! Here's how to make your own Sage stick in 3 easy steps. 

Smudge sticks can be made from both dried and fresh flowers and herbs. For a pretty finish you could pop a couple of cute daisies on there, for more rustic look, go all dried lavender, rosemary and sage. And remember, whatever herbs you choose to use will be the smell that your smudge stick gives off. 

Some traditional smudging herbs are:

• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Cedar
• Myrrh
• Palo Santo
• Sweetgrass
• Juniper
• Yarrow
• Lemon balm
• Sage

Some other herbs that smell & look great are:

• Rosebud
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Cinnamon stick
• Spruce
• Bay leaves

The purpose of smudging is to cleanse and freshen a space so choose a selection of these that feels right to you.

You will also need some twine or 100% cotton thread. 

STEP 1.

Gather your herbs / flowers and your twine. To make my latest Sage stick I used Sage, very dry Lavender (that I had forgotten to water!) some Rosemary and a couple of daisies for visual effect. 

STEP 2.

Casually cut your pieces to a 'similar' length no longer than 15cm (smaller is fine) Start your bundle by placing all your herbs & flowers together with their bases aligning.

STEP 3.

Grab your Twine / Cotton and cut the length to be 4 times the length of your longest stalk. 

STEP 4.

Wrap your twine around the base of all your sticks and tie a knot. From here, with the long end of the twine, start to tightly wrap your herbs / flowers by wrapping the twine around and around up the herbs / stick. It doesn't need to be evenly spaced (As you can see in the photos) but the tighter the better for burning.  

Once you reach the top of the bundle, continue wrapping, crisscrossing the twine as you head back down toward the base. Tie the loose end to the original knot at the base of the stick.

STEP 5. 

For best results, hang your DIY smudge sticks upside down in a sunny spot (I secure the twine to a windowsill), and allow at least 3 weeks drying time.

SOOOOOO... THEN WHAT?

Then comes the act of smudging and getting to use your Sage sticks! 

When you're ready and feeling like a cleanse of your space, light one end of your sage bundle with a match (not a gas lighter). Blow out the flame, and let the end of the Sage stick continue to lightly simmer and burn away.