Making a Smudge Stick

~Notes~

Be aware of any dangerous chemical reactions or allergies to the plants being used. If you intend to burn a plant in a smudge stick do your research into the plant first to ensure that what you are burning is not dangerous to your health. Always find out if you are allergic first, and have another person on hand or ready to help you if something goes wrong. Call 911 or the appropriate telephone number if a dangerous condition occurs.

Always be careful of how you burn your smudge stick, ensuring that you do not burn yourself. Always use proper fire preventative measures; place burning objects within or upon the appropriate fire burning appratus. Be aware that holding the smudge stick within your hands can result in burning your hands.

When wrapping the bundle, you should be careful to wrap tightly enough to hold the stems and leaves in place, but not to cut them.

Humidity is a factor in dry time, ensure that your bundle has dried fully before attempting to burn it.

Ensure that there is no mold/mildew growth upon your bundle before burning it.

~Ingredients~

• Herb(s) appropriate for the smudging
• String that will safely burn, such as jute line or cotton string

~Process~

1. Select your fresh herb from the plant (unless you can get long stems of plants elsewhere).
2. Cut the plant according to size. Plants which are more leafy should be cut in smaller sections, and those that are less leafy can be cut in larger sections.
3. Cut the string to a good length, such as five to six feet.
4. Place the pieces according to like, stems to stems and leafs to leafs.
5. Wrap string around the base, leaving a few inches of string loose.
6. Wrap up from stems to leafs, then back again in a criss-cross pattern.
7. After returning to the base, tie the few inches from before to the end of your string.
8. Trim if necessary to give a uniform look.
9. Place your bundle in a place where it shall dry.