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DIY Rosemary Sage Smudge Sticks

Make your own DIY Smudge Sticks with herbs and flowers, and enjoy a rustic aroma that's calming and pleasant.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Cleaning Recipe
Keyword: cleanse, sage
Yield: 1 smudge stick
Author: Stephanie Pollard
Cost: $3

Equipment

  • Matches
  • Abalone shell or heat proof bowl

Materials

Instructions

  • Layer your ingredients, positioning the bases of the largest leaves (or stemmed herbs) at the same level as one another. This makes the binding process a bit easier.
    DIY Smudge sticks supplies
  • Cut a piece of twine that is 4 times the length of your bundle. Make a simple knot on one end of the string and tighten it around the stems, binding the bundle together. This should leave one side of the string approximately 3 times the length of your bundle.
  • With the long end of the string, begin to wrap the bundle tightly, spiraling up towards the top of the bundle. Fold in any stray sprigs, tucking them under the string as you go. 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.
  • For best results, hang your fresh smudge stick and allow at least 3 weeks drying time.
    DIY smudge sticks
  • When ready, light the ends, blow out the flame, and let the end continue to burn. Fan the smoke into the corners as you move around the space.

Notes

You can make smudge sticks using bundles of both dried and fresh herbs and flowers. It’s a little easier to work with fresh because the stems are less brittle, so you can really work it into any shape you like,—but dried has benefits too! You know that lavender plant that you forgot to water? Don’t just toss it. Strip the dried lavender or use whole stems to make beautifully fragrant smudge sticks.