Add to your ritual bath and cleansing meditation by ceremonially burning a purifying herb bundle. Sustainably harvested from herbs and plants growing locally, seasonally, and abundantly, the contents vary through the year based on what is available. Each bundle is crafted with plants from my medicine garden that possess spiritual healing properties .

These herbal sticks normally contain combinations of 3 ceremonial plants. One herbal bundle can be reused multiple times until there is nothing left to burn.

What it is: Many types of plants are traditionally burnt in cleansing ceremonies, after having been dried and bundled. When burned, the sticks give off a resinous smoke, like incense. This smoke helps one visualize the burning up of toxic energy, taking it away. The act of burning something can also be a symbol of transformation.

Why people do it: While frequently used to cleanse places, this practice can also be used to cleanse people and objects- wafting smoke can increase a sense of calmness, well-being, clarity, optimism and boost physical energy.

Why sustainability is important: Most people think of working with white sage or palo santo for this purpose, but these plants are not available our local climate. These plants are overharvested and becoming unavailable for the first-nations communities that need them for their traditional ceremonies.

I offer these custom crafted bundles as an alternative. Many different herbs traditionally worked with for smudging can be grown or found in the wild, but some are easier to find than others. After familiarizing myself with the many ceremonial uses of plants in this region, I sustainably harvest from what is growing locally, seasonally, and abundantly throughout the year. As a result, the bundles feature plant combinations that change with the seasons depending on what is available.

How to use: You’ll need a fireproof dish as a safe place to put your burning herb bundle between wafting. Decide your purpose before burning the herbs to get into the right mindset. Carefully light your herb bundle and either place it in your fireproof dish or hold it over the dish to retain ash and falling embers as you work with the smoke. If not burnt all at once, extinguish completely in running water to be sure no burning pieces are left and set it aside to dry. Store out of direct sunlight to retain color longer.

Wildcrafted and hand-tied on Roots & Sky’s Farm