Your Complete Guide to Smudging with 11 Plants

Smudging is the practice of burning specific plants and directing the smoke for cleansing, healing, and various specific energetic properties. This is a popular ancient practice that has been used with slight nuance throughout time in cultures around the world.

As this practice has greatly increased in popularity beyond the confines of culture-specific rituals, it’s important to pay respect to the various origins of smudging and learn more about the plants you can use and how you can use smudge sticks for cleansing and charging crystals.

Smudging is an enjoyable and impactful way for both cleansing and charging crystals. The herbal smoke has an energetically purifying effect, and particular plants can be used for charging specific crystals according to the energetic properties of each plant.

There are many wonderful plants that we can work with for this crystal cleansing and charging practice.We will explore the history of smudging, the benefits, a step-by-step guide to this technique, and the best plants for smudging, along with the crystals that pair with each plant.

Overview of Smudging

Crystals take great care of our energetic wellness, but did you know we need to intentionally take good care of them, too? Most crystals (with the exception of self-cleansing stones) require fairly regular energetic cleansing and recharging in order to maintain their positive effects.

Whether your stones are actively used within healing practices or simply jewelry pieces or displayed collector’s items, they will have an energetic effect.

Crystals help us by absorbing negative energy and, over time, we need to cleanse these vibrations and charge the crystal, realigning to its original natural power. One way to do this is through the power of plants, via the technique of smudging.

The History of Smoke Cleansing

The burning of sacred plants for cleansing, healing, and spiritual purposes shows up in many cultures around the world. Smudging actually refers to a Indigenous American practice of burning sage, sweet grass, tobacco, or cedar for spiritual connection, reverence, and cleansing in preparation for ceremonies.

The practice of smoke cleansing was and is used in many other cultures, too. The Celts referred to this practice as fire saining and burned juniper or elder for purification and healing. 

Hindus and Buddhists have burned incense during prayer since ancient times as an offering to the divine and for mental and emotional purification. Mixtures of ayurvedic herbs are burned for cleansing and healing.

In Islam, Lobaan (Gum benzoin Resin) is burned to fumigate mosques and homes. South African traditional healers burn indigenous sage, imphepho, to connect with and honor ancestors as well as during ceremonies and cleansing rituals.

Smoke cleansing practices were used in Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, and Australian aboriginal cultures. Throughout history, this was done using slightly different methods; while some created herb bundles, most used loose plant material placed on hot coals or crafted incense sticks or cones.

The history of smoke cleansing is a huge topic on its own, and it’s essential to continue your research on this fully to honor the origins of this practice while finding a respectful way to create your ritual inspired by the cultures and plants closest to you.

Benefits of Smudging for Healing Crystals

Smudging, or rather smoke cleansing, is a way of safely harnessing the power of the Fire element. This is one reason why it is so effective for purification, as it works through the energy of rapid transformation, the energy of Fire.

The benefits and effects of smoke cleansing and charging are also significantly informed by the plants we use. Every plant has a unique vibration and offers specific energetic effects (we will delve into the best plants for smudging and their specific results later in the article).

Smoke cleansing is a sensory experience where you and your crystal interact with the Fire and Earth elements (plants) on both a physical, sensory level and a deep, energetic, spiritual level. 

The benefit of this practice of smudging with crystals is that it is effective on physical and metaphysical levels. Your interaction with the plants and ritual allows you to enter a state of alignment and connection. 

This helps you to clarify your intention and direct your energy, which also contributes to your crystal being thoroughly cleansed and charged. The smoke of the herbs has a physical and spiritual presence that will cleanse and charge your crystals.

How Do You Smudge Step-By-Step?

1. Research which suitable smoke-cleansing plants work well with the crystal you need to cleanse and choose 1 to 3 plants to work with.
2. Ethically source or harvest your selected plants. 
3. Prepare your herbs and tools.
4. If you are creating a bundle, you will need natural string or cotton to bind the herbs, a fireproof bowl, and a lighter.
5. If you work with loose herbs or resins, you will need a fireproof bowl, charcoal, a lighter, and a fan or feather. 
6. Set your intention for crystal cleansing and charging, and give thanks to Mother Earth for the plants you are using, the Fire element, and your crystals.
7. Light your smudge bundle and place it in the bowl and allow it to smoke, or light your coals and put your dried plant material or resin on it. 
8. Fan the smoke toward your crystals or hold it within the smoke for 1 to 2 minutes (be careful not to let the hot members directly touch your stone as this may damage it).
9. Your crystal is now cleansed and charged!
10. Hold your crystal for a few moments and meditate on your refreshed crystal energy combined with the energy of the plant aroma.

Tip: As far as possible, choose plants you can find growing locally and abundantly around you. You will have an even deeper connection to this ritual if you harvest and dry the plants yourself.

11 Smudging Plants for Cleansing Crystals

These are some of the most popular and suitable plants that can be burned for smoke cleansing. We will learn which part of each plant is best to use, how to prepare it, what its benefits for cleansing and charging are, and which crystals will benefit most from the smoke of each plant. 

Important Reminder: If you purchase smudging plants, be sure they are ethically sourced. If you are wild harvesting them, please do so with care and do not harvest endangered varieties or overharvest any wild plant. 

Sage

Using sage for smudging originates from the indigenous American tradition of using white sage. African traditional healers have also used other species of sage. 

The energy of sage is profoundly cleansing, and it is also linked with divination and protection.Sage is perfect for cleansing and charging crystals that have protective benefits or that aid in deepening our spiritual connection and psychic abilities.

Crystal cleansing with sage can be done with a wrapped smudge stick or with loose sage leaves and flowers sprinkled over hot coals to create smoke for cleansing and charging your crystal.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Sage Smoke: Obsidian, Tourmaline, Amethyst, Labradorite, and Smoky Quartz. 

Note: Please be mindful of where and how you source this herb, as wild white sage is seriously over-harvested. Research sage varieties that are indigenous and abundant in your region. Grow sage yourself or source it from reputable growers.

Cedar

Using cedar wood for cleansing also originates from Native American smudging practices. The Cedrus libani, or cedar tree, has strong purification properties and is associated with deeper spiritual connection and higher consciousness.

Cedar can be used for cleansing and charging crystals that uplift consciousness, attract love, and repel nightmares and negative vibrations. Place a small quantity of cedar wood shavings onto hot coals and bathe your stone in the smoke.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Cedar Smoke: Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Citrine, Fluorite, and Malachite.

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass has the Latin name Hierochloe odorata, which translates to fragrant sacred or holy grass. This special plant is spiritually uplifting and deeply cleansing. It is another plant that is important in Native American culture.

This plant is useful for cleansing stones with emotional healing and balancing properties. It is excellent for charging crystals used for purification, divination, ancestral healing, and connecting to ancestral wisdom. 

It has a sweet smell and can be braided or bundled and burnt to create smudging smoke to cleanse and charge crystals.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Sweetgrass Smoke: Moonstone, Carnelian, Lepidolite, Sodalite, Amazonite, Bloodstone, and Turquoise. 

Mugwort

This deeply magical plant helps us to connect to the spiritual nature of life, and it is energetically protective. Mugwort stimulates abundance and healing of the body, mind, and spirit.

Mugwort is often used as tea infusion to cleanse crystals, but it can also be burned. The smoke is useful for cleansing and charging stones linked to vitality and abundance on mental, physical, and spiritual levels. It is great for charging crystals that help with dream recall and lucid dreaming.

Dry a bundle of mugwort to create a smudging wand or sprinkle smaller pieces of this herb over hot coals, exposing your crystal to this smoke for 1 to 2 minutes.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Mugwort Smoke: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Green Calcite, Moonstone, Hematite, Pyrite, and Jade.

Eucalyptus

This distinctly aromatic plant is a powerful choice for smoke crystal cleansing and charging. The vibration of eucalyptus resonates with freedom from fear, greater ease, protection, healing, and abundance.

Crystals that have benefits that focus on healing and protection from physical illness will benefit greatly from eucalyptus smoke. It is also a good choice for cleansing and charging stones associated with financial abundance.

Create a bundle of eucalyptus leaves or use smaller or the leaves, flowers, and wood shavings on a coal ember to produce a purifying and invigorating smoke for your crystal cleansing and charging ritual.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Eucalyptus Smoke: Citrine, Jade, Pyrite, Unakite, Peridot, and Tiger’s Eye.

Lavender

Smoke cleansing with lavender is deeply relaxing. This herb welcomes peace and calm connection and repels negativity, including fear, tension, and stagnation.

Lavender is perfect for smudging crystals that deepen spiritual awareness and work to refresh or soothe our energy. Protective stones can absorb negative energy and benefit from being cleansed and charged with this plant.

Bind together the flower and leaves of lavender into bundles that can be burned or use roughly crushed pieces of the flower and leaves placed atop a heated charcoal. Bathe your stone in the lavender smoke.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Lavender Smoke: Amethyst, Lepidolite, Clear Quartz, Obsidian, Agate, and Calcite.

Rose

Rose is a flower of deep love. Its energetic properties include recovery from great loss. Working with rose as a smoke-cleaning plant invokes divine support and empowerment. While its energy is divinely loving, it is also fully protective.

If you have been working with a crystal during a time of heartbreak or for emotional healing, then you should consider rose to cleanse and recharge your stone. Rose also pairs well with crystals that activate or balance the Heart Chakra. 

Dried rose petals can be sprinkled onto hot coal in a heat-proof bowl, allowing the rose-scented smoke to caress your crystal for a few minutes to cleanse and charge it with the rose frequency.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Rose Smoke: Rose Quartz, Emerald, Aventurine, Jade, Rhodonite, Aragonite, and Mangano Calcite.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a potent herb that is highly effective in clearing negative and non-beneficial patterns. The smoke of this herb carries its cleansing and uplifting effects.

Crystals that are used to release negative habits and especially negative thoughts respond especially well to cleansing and charging with rosemary smudge. This herb is awesome for charging stones for mental and physical health.

The little purple flowers, hardy leaves, and woody stems can be included within your smudge bundle or crushed to sprinkle on a hot coal to produce a potent smoke.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Rosemary Smoke: Clear Quartz, Prehnite, Apatite, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, and Malachite. 

Chamomile

Chamomile helps us to let go of unnecessary and harmful energies. These small, yellow and white blooms and delicate fruity-scented leaves bring a sense of relief.

You can include chamomile within a smoke-cleansing ritual for crystals that bring calm and ease to the body, mind, and spirit. It is very useful for crystals that are cleansing and protective as it will recharge these beneficial qualities.

Both the tiny flowers and leaves of chamomile can be smoldered on a hot coal to produce a fragrant crystal cleansing and charging smoke. 

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Chamomile Smoke: Kyanite, Citrine, Aquamarine, Sunstone, Tourmaline, Lepidolite, and Fluorite.

 Patchouli

This is a grounding plant that maintains a deep connection to Mother Earth. When burned, it invokes fertility, freedom, and abundance. 

Patchouli is suitable to pair with crystals whose benefits include grounding and increased prosperity. This plant cleanses and recharges the vibrational alignment of crystals associated with sexuality, freedom, passion, and fertility.

Bathe your crystals in the smoke of dried patchouli leaves and light purple patchouli flowers to experience the cleansing and recharging benefits it has on your stone.

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Patchouli Smoke: Garnet, Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Clear Quartz, and Smithsonite.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a well-known protective charm from snakes and can be used as an ingredient in natural cleaning products, but its protective and cleansing qualities extend beyond this. It is energetically protective from harm and also increases spiritual connection and pleasure.

You can access these benefits of lemongrass combined with the transformative power of Fire by burning it and swirling the smoke around your crystals. The smoke of lemongrass will cleanse and charge your stone.

It is particularly suited for crystals linked to physical and spiritual vitality, increased pleasure, and sexual satisfaction. 

Crystals to Cleanse and Charge with Lemongrass Smoke: Fire Opal, Jade, Garnet, Carnelian, Black Tourmaline, Calcite, and Aventurine. 

FAQ

How Do You Smudge Crystals?

You can smudge crystals by choosing an appropriate plant for smoke cleansing, setting your intention, giving thanks to the Earth, and bathing your stone in cleansing smoke for 1 to 2 minutes.

What are the Rules of Smudging? 

The rules of smudging are to give thanks to the cultures from which this practice originates and to the plants you are working with. Never use plants that are endangered, and as far as possible, use locally sourced plants. You should also be cautious when working with fire; make sure to keep any embers within a heat-proof bowl and to put out your embers fully once complete with this ritual.

Why Should You Cleanse and Charge Crystals Regularly?

Crystals should be cleansed and charged regularly to maintain their favorable energetic properties, as these become distorted over time when they absorb negative energy from environments or after assisting us with deep healing.

Is it Okay to Smudge at Night?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to smudge at night or at any time that you feel called to. 

How Often Should I Cleanse and Charge My Crystals Using Smudging?

Cleanse and charge your crystals after using them for intentional deep healing or support with heavy energy. If you aren’t directly using your crystals, smudge them at least once a month or as you feel called to.

What is the Correct Way to Smudge Your Home?

There isn’t one correct way to practice smudging or smoke cleansing. When smudging your home, be sure to give thanks to the cultures from which this practice originates and the plants you are burning. Set your intention to clear your space and move the smoke to every corner of your home. 

Can You Use Multiple Smudge Sticks Together?

Yes, you can combine different herbs within a smudge stick for cleansing. Or burn more than one smudge stick together as different plants can contribute cleansing and charging benefits that are nuanced.

What Time of Day Should I Smudge?

You can smudge at any time of day; just be sure to engage with the process with full presence and reverence.

Can I Smudge Myself?

Yes, you can smudge around yourself. You can engage with the scent of the smoke, but try not to breathe in excessive smoke as certain plants can be harmful to inhale in large quantities.

Is Smudging a Spiritual Practice?

Yes, smudging is a spiritual practice that originated in Native American culture. It is also referred to as smoke cleansing and is a practice for spiritual connection and cleansing in many ancient cultures worldwide. 

Conclusion

Beyond the plants already discussed, there are many other beneficial plants for smudging with crystals. Some of the other suitable plants to create smudge sticks for charging and cleansing are mullein, pine, basil, frankincense, myrrh, mint, tobacco, palo santo, sandalwood, and frankincense.

Smoke cleansing is a practice that can really help you maintain the energetic health of your crystals and form a deeper connection with plants and your stones. 

Remember to feel and express gratitude for this knowledge, for the spiritual support from the earth and our ancestors. Enjoy the sensory experience and benefits of this beautiful crystal cleansing and charging ritual.

Plant for Smoke Cleansing	Benefits	Crystals to Cleanse with It
Sage	Protection and deepening spiritual connection and psychic abilities.	Obsidian, Tourmaline, Amethyst, Labradorite, and Smoky Quartz.
Cedar	Uplifts consciousness, attracts love, repels nightmares and negative vibrations.	Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Citrine, Fluorite, and Malachite.
Sweetgrass	Purification, divination, emotional and ancestral connection, and healing.	Moonstone, Carnelian, Lepidolite, Sodalite, Amazonite, Bloodstone, and Turquoise.
Mugwort	Increased vitality, abundance, dream recall, and lucid dreaming.	Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Green Calcite, Moonstone, Hematite, Pyrite, and Jade.
Eucalyptus	Healing and protection from physical illness and increased abundance.	Citrine, Jade, Pyrite, Unakite, Peridot, and Tiger’s Eye.
Lavender	Works to refresh, soothe energy, and bring deeper spiritual awareness.	Amethyst, Lepidolite, Clear Quartz, Obsidian, Agate, and Calcite.
Rose	Loving divine support, empowerment, and emotional healing.	Rose Quartz, Emerald, Aventurine, Jade, Rhodonite, Aragonite, and Mangano Calcite.
Rosemary	Releasing negativity and mental wellness.	Clear Quartz, Prehnite, Apatite, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, and Malachite.
Chamomile	Calm, ease, and protection to the body, mind, and spirit.	Kyanite, Citrine, Aquamarine, Sunstone, Tourmaline, Lepidolite, and Fluorite.
Patchouli	Grounding, prosperity, fertility, and freedom.	Garnet, Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Clear Quartz, and Smithsonite.
Lemongrass	Spiritual connection, pleasure, and protection.	Fire Opal, Jade, Garnet, Carnelian, Black Tourmaline, Calcite, and Aventurine.