Smudging is an ancient spiritual ritual. Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition. Smudging may also be used as a ritual tool to rid yourself — or your space — of negativity. This includes past traumas, bad experiences, or negative energies from others.Tradition suggests that smudging can literally lift one’s spirits to banish negativity. Some research supports this.

In addition to dissipating negative energy, improving mood, and strengthening intuition, smudging with sage might improve your memory and focus.

Ridding the body, objects, and spaces of bad energy can help welcome newer, fresher, and more positive energies. In a way, this could have an energizing effect and help with fatigue. If burning sage can lift one’s mood, it could also be a great ally against stress.

The most-used types of sage have antimicrobial properties. This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.It turns out that sage may help clear the air of lots more than bugs and bacteria.Though scientifically unproven, burning sage is thought to release negative ions. This is said to help neutralize positive ions.Common positive ions are allergens like:

• pet dander
• pollution
• dust
• mold