Benefits of Sage: How This Herb Can Enhance Your Well-Being

By Light Bringer

Have you ever experienced the calming and relaxation sensation of Sage burning during holistic healing practices such as a yoga or a meditation session? Have you ever wondered why it is being used? It is not hocus pocus and there is actually science backed evidence that now shows the benefits of this ancient practice. 

Burning sage for well-being

Sage has been used for generations in various cultures to purify the environment and clear negative energies. Scientifically speaking, burning sage produces negative ions that nullify the positive ions in the air. Too many positive ions can add to the density of the air and contribute to feelings of irritability, increased anxiety, and unpleasantness. High levels of positive ions can add to fatigue, depression, and other low-frequency feelings. They can also suppress the immune system, and cause respiratory irritation and headaches.  There are studies done that show burning sage can eliminate up to 94% of bacteria in the air! It is amazing how our ancestors knew about the beneficial attributes of sage and smudging, which is the process of burning sage to cleanse the air and energy fields. Since everything is energy (including bacteria and viruses) holistic healers always use sage to cleanse the body of unwanted energies before they start their practice. 

Sage has been used for generations for spiritual cleansing. Smudging is believed to cleanse a person, place, or object of negative energies and spirits. The act of smudging can help reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of peace and calm. It can be used to create a conducive environment for meditation, increasing focus and mindfulness.

Additionally, this remarkable plant offers physical health advantages. Sage possesses antimicrobial properties, enabling it to combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

These incredible properties can lead to improved air quality, The aroma from burning sage can help soothe respiratory issues, clear congestion, and improve overall respiratory health.

Sage can have a positive effect on mental health and mood. Research has demonstrated that sage can enhance memory and cognitive function, which could be advantageous for individuals experiencing memory problems or cognitive decline. In addition, the scent of sage can uplift mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Practice of Saging:

Smudging, the act of burning herbs and plants, has been practiced for generations in cultures around the world. The most common method involves lighting the end of a dried sage bundle until it smolders, producing smoke. This smoke is then wafted around a space, person, or object to cleanse and purify.

Benefits of Saging:

1. Clearing Negative Energies: Sage smoke is believed to neutralize negative energies and purify the atmosphere. Whether it's residual tension from a stressful day or stagnant energy in a room, saging can help dispel these energies, creating a fresh and vibrant environment.

2. Spiritual Cleansing: Many spiritual practitioners use sage to cleanse themselves or their surroundings before meditation, prayer, or rituals. It's seen as a way to prepare the mind and spirit for deeper connection and insight.

3. Promoting Mindfulness: The ritual of saging encourages mindfulness and intentionality. Taking the time to consciously cleanse a space or oneself can serve as a powerful reminder to be present and grounded in the moment.

4. Aromatherapy Benefits: Beyond its spiritual significance, sage emits a pleasant aroma that can promote relaxation and stress relief. The calming scent can help soothe frayed nerves and create a more peaceful atmosphere.

Smudging has been a traditional practice among many Native American tribes for centuries. It is often performed during ceremonies, healing sessions, and as part of daily rituals. Sage, along with other plants like cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco, is considered sacred and is used for smudging to purify and protect during native ceremonies.

Ancient Roman and Greece cultures used sage for its medicinal properties and in various religious ceremonies. In traditional Chinese medicine sage has been used for its healing properties and to ward off evil spirits.

So how is Smudging (or saging) done? Here are some steps if you are unfamiliar with the process and want to give it a try:

1. Choose Your Sage: Opt for high-quality white sage bundles, preferably sustainably harvested. Alternatively, you can use other varieties of sage, such as desert sage or blue sage, depending on availability and personal preference.

2. Prepare Your Space: Open windows or doors to allow the smoke to carry away any negative energies. Set your intention for the saging ritual, whether it's to cleanse a specific area, yourself, or your home.

3. Light the Sage: Use a lighter or match to ignite one end of the sage bundle. Allow it to burn for a few moments, then gently blow out the flame, allowing the sage to smolder and produce smoke.

4. Sage Your Space: Starting at the entrance of the room, walk clockwise around the perimeter, waving the sage bundle and allowing the smoke to reach all corners. Focus on areas where energy feels heavy or stagnant, and visualize the smoke dispelling any negativity.

Using a feather or hand, direct the smoke around the person, object, or space that needs cleansing. If cleansing a person, go over the head and face, arms, front and back of the hands, mid-section and back, hips and gentiles, between the legs and around them, and bottom of each foot. If cleansing a room, focus on corners, doorways, open doors, and cabinets. It is common to say a prayer or set an intention during the cleansing process.

For example:

"Cleanse this body from stress, anxiety, thoughts that no longer serve, negative energy, unwanted energy and illness, and restore peace and harmony within this vessel." 

Finally - Extinguish Safely: Once you've completed smudging, carefully extinguish the sage bundle by pressing it into a fireproof container such as a ceramic bowl or abalone shell. Ensure it's fully extinguished before leaving it unattended.

As many people are tuning into ancestral remedies and natural healing many people use sage smudging to cleanse their homes of negative energy, especially after moving into a new place or after experiencing negative events. Individuals might smudge themselves to release personal negativity and promote emotional well-being. Whether you're seeking to cleanse your space, release negative energies, or simply cultivate a sense of peace and harmony, the power of sage can support you on your journey toward greater spiritual well-being and mindfulness. Embrace this ancient tradition with reverence and intention, and let the transformative energy of sage guide you towards a brighter and more balanced existence.

At all Zero Point Activation events participants are saged upon entry. As healers, we believe it is so important to release any negative ideas that no longer serve our mind, body, and spirit and to be open to allowing ourselves to absorb the positive energy around us instead.

Sage and smudging have deep roots in various cultural and spiritual traditions. Their benefits span from physical health improvements to spiritual and emotional well-being, making them a popular practice in both traditional and modern contexts. If you have never experienced it, maybe there is a reason you read this all the way to the end.

Give it a try!

Much Love & Light,

"Light Bringer" 

Healer & Co-Founder of Zero Point Activation