Benefits of Essential Oils

Posted on November 11, 2021March 22, 2024 by Jennifer Norman

Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, which is a form of alternative medicine that employs plant extracts to support health and well-being, but they can also be found in a plethora of skincare products. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants and are usually obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or with mechanical methods such as cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product that’s ready for use. However, the way the oils are made is important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils. There are a multitude of different essential oils, and each possesses different characteristics and benefits. However, some of the health claims associated with essential oils are controversial.

How Essential Oils Differ From Extracts

Oils that are extracted from the aromatic parts of plants like leaves, roots, and flowers are known as essential oils. When plant materials are soaked in liquids such as water or aqueous solutions for a longer period to infuse their flavors and aroma to the liquid, then they are called extracts. Essential oils are mostly used in skincare and aromatherapy while plant extracts are commonly used in cooking and perfumes.

Six major differences between essential oils and plant extracts are:

Essential oils are the concentrated, volatile, aromatic compounds of a plant that are usually extracted through distillation. Plant extracts, on the other hand, tend to be a type of infusion or tincture.
Essential oils require the proper environment, equipment, and machinery.
Essential oils are pure, whereas an extract is a diluted version.
More benefits come from the use of essential oils than extracts. For example, while grapefruit essential oil and extract can both give similar aromatherapy results, in skincare, the essential oil will deliver more benefits than the extract form.
Some plants don’t produce useful essential oils, but their extracts can be widely collected and used.
Essential oil preparation requires a lot of plant material while producing extracts does not require as much.

Pictured: Essential Oil Extraction Method     Source: New Directions Aromatics

The History of Essential Oil Usage Throughout Cultures

Essential oils, or aromatic oils as they were once called, have been used by nearly every culture around the world well before the advent of written history. Their uses varied from religious purposes to healing the sick. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when essential oils gained notoriety as effective healing agents, but eventually, the knowledge of essential oils spread throughout the globe.

Lascaux Cave: Earliest Evidence

The earliest evidence of the healing properties of plants was found in Lascaux, which is located in the Dordogne region in France. There, cave paintings suggest the use of medicinal plants in everyday life that have been carbon-dated back as far as 18,000 B.C.E.¹

Pictured: Lascaux Cave Today    Source: World History

Egypt

Evidence has shown that the Egyptians used aromatic oils as early as 4500 B.C.E. Commonly, oils and pastes from plants were transformed into pills, powders, suppositories, medicinal cakes, and ointments. At the height of Egypt’s power, though, priests were the only authorities allowed to use aromatic oils, as they were regarded as necessary to be one with the gods. Specific fragrances were dedicated to each deity and their statuses were anointed with these oils by their followers. Being viewed as gods in the flesh, pharaohs also had their own special blends for meditation, love, war, and so on, and they were commonly buried with jars of essential oils.²

Source: Fresh Start Nutrition

China

The ancient Chinese are believed to have been masters of the use of aromatic plants for healing. Some even speculate that the Chinese may have begun studying aromatics and essential oils at the same time the Egyptians did, or even before. The oldest surviving medicinal text is “Pen T’Sao Kang Mu,” which is believed to have been written by Emperor Shen Nung around 2500 B.C.E. and contains information on the medicinal usage of over 365 plants. He is said to have discovered tea and is acclaimed to be the father of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many Chinese aromatherapists believed that extracting the plant’s fragrance represented freeing the plant’s soul.³

Pictured: Emperor Shen Nung   Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

India

Essential oils are a core element of the Ayurvedic health care system, which has been practiced for at least 4,000 years and is still widely practiced in India today. One main principle in Ayurveda is aromatic massage with many records of Indian doctors administering cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, coriander, spikenard, and sandalwood essential oils as elixirs to their patients. The Vedas, India’s most sacred text, mentions over 700 herbs and aromatics codifying the uses for religious and therapeutic purposes. Basil, for example, is believed to open the heart and mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion, while also strengthening faith, compassion, and clarity.⁴

Source: Keya Seth Aromatherapy

Arabia

Between 1000 B.C.E and 400 B.C.E, Arabia was the center of a lucrative spice trade route. During this time, frankincense was by far the biggest trade commodity and brought great wealth to Arabia. The Arabians were also credited with being the first to discover steam distillation as a method of extracting essential oils. Abu Ali al-Husain Ibn Abd Allah Ibn Sina, more commonly known as Avicenna, was the inventor of this method. With the invention of steam ventilation, the use of essential oils quickly spread throughout other parts of the world.⁵

Pictured: Avicenna    Source: Tons of Facts

Common Essential Oils and Their Benefits

Essential oils have many benefits depending on which scent you choose. With more than 90 types of essential oils, discovering and learning the benefits of each will help you find your perfect match.

Here are a few common essential oils, along with their scent profile and uses in aromatherapy and skincare:

Essential Oil	Photo	Scent Profile	Uses/Benefits
Peru Balsam		Rich and sweet like vanilla	Commonly used for hydration, to clear airways, and support mental awareness
Bergamot		Pungent, fresh, and green	Commonly used for relaxation and the digestive system
Chamomile		Herbal, sweet, and fresh	Commonly used to help with digestion, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, and wound healing
Clary Sage		A bittersweet floral	Known to be relaxing, calming, warming, and stress relieving
Cedarwood		Thick and woody	Known to be calming and stress relieving, aids with restful sleep, the circulatory system, and clear airways.
Cinnamon Leaf		Spicy and sugary cinnamon with musky undertones	Known to be revitalizing, refreshing, and warming
Geranium		Very herbal with mint undertones	Known to be relaxing, calming, and mood improving
Ginger		Fresh, woody, and spicy	Commonly used to improve the digestive system
Grapefruit		Fresh and fruity with a light tang	Known to be refreshing and detoxifying along with being an astringent
Jasmine		Rich, sweet, and sensual	Known to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that are beneficial for treating skin infections
Lavender		Herbal and lightly floral	Commonly used for restful sleep and mood improvement, also known to soothe sun-damaged skin
Lemon		Light and sharp citrus, sweet, and tangy	Known to clarify and uplift, also an astringent
Lemongrass		A medium citrus with a strong herbal base	Known to be clarifying and aid in mental cleansing
Patchouli		Warm and earthy, heavy and fruit-like tones	Commonly used for relaxation
Peppermint		Cool, fresh mint	Known to be energizing, stimulating, and revitalizing
Rosemary		Strong, fresh, and herbal	Known to cleanse, clarify, and invigorate while reducing the appearance of water retention
Tea Tree		Sharp, camphor-like with a medium spice	Commonly used for burns and odor
White Camphor		Sharp, camphor-like with a woody undertone	Commonly used for depression, known to improve mood
Ylang Ylang		Sweet and intense, an exotic floral	Known to be sensual, relaxing, soothing, and hydrating while offering tension and stress relief

Essential Oils for Your Skin Type

Essential oils have been a part of natural and holistic skincare for centuries. From the luxurious skin-softening properties of the rose (used famously by Cleopatra to maintain her beauty) to the wound-cleansing properties of myrrh that was used by ancient Roman soldiers going into battle, these potent oils harness a wide range of botanical therapeutics to address every skincare need. In this guide, we will dive into some of the most common skin types and ailments so you’ll know which essential oils will most benefit your skin.

Before using essential oils topically, it is important to note that essential oils require a high amount of plant material for processing, so they usually have a potent concentration of active ingredients. While inhaling certain essential oils has been shown to positively affect the central nervous system and stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters like serotonin that help with mood regulation, they’ve also been shown to disrupt the normal function of hormones in young people. Many brands are now becoming more transparent with essential oils in their products due to controversies such as Hyram’s “No More Drunk Elephant” video where he called out the brand Drunk Elephant for using potentially dangerous essential oils in their products. The brand now lists essential oils in its “Suspicious Six” ingredient list.

Try smelling any essential oil before applying it to your skin; if the scent is very fragrant, it will most likely irritate your skin. Additionally, also do a patch test before using any new product or essential oil.

Source: American College of Healthcare Sciences

Normal Skin

If you have normal skin, you’re rare. Normal skin is usually characterized by a state of harmony, meaning the skin’s oils are perfectly balanced. This leads to a naturally radiant and healthy-looking complexion. Many of us have a combination skin type where our T-zone (the area covering the forehead and down the length of the nose) is the only region that is problematic, with the rest of the face leaning more towards a normal skin type. Essential oils that have balancing actions will work best for a combination skin type as they will help maintain the skin’s natural harmony and moisture levels in the oily section while keeping the already balanced skin in tip-top shape.

To maintain a normal skin type or aid with a combination skin type, try these essential oils:

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Known to be harmonizing both internally and externally and helps to prevent dryness and excessive sebum production.
Geranium Essential Oil: Helps regulate skin oils and possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can minimize potential issues such as acne and sensitivities.
Neroli Essential Oil: Has natural cleansing and antioxidant qualities and helps balance surface oils.

Dry Skin

A lack of sebum can lead to reduced hydration and increased water loss from the skin’s surface. As sebum can act as an occluding layer on the skin, those with dry skin types often have compromised integrity of the skin barrier and tend to get irritated more often than those with oiler skin. Essential oils that are calming, soothing, and naturally moisturizing work best for this skin type.

If you have dry skin, try these essential oils:

Frankincense Essential Oil: Rejuvenates dry and mature skin types and possesses natural skin-calming properties.
Chamomile Essential Oil: Known to naturally soothe inflammation, irritation, and pain associated with skin dryness.
Rose and Jasmine Sambac Absolutes: These concentrated floral oils are highly reputed in boosting skin hydration and dullness, while also being gentle on the skin.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is an issue that most commonly plagues the youth. It is characterized by producing too much sebum, which can result in an overly shiny or greasy-looking complexion. If you have oily skin, chances are that your pores are also enlarged and visible. This skin type can be transformed through the use of cleansing and clarifying essential oils, along with those that possess astringent actions.

If you have oily skin, try these essential oils:

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Helps eliminate excess sebum and is known to have natural antimicrobial properties.
Neroli Essential Oil: Reputed to have antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it useful in clarifying oily skin and preventing breakouts.
Lemon and Bergamot Essential Oils: Known to improve the complexion of oily skin with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Other citrus essential oils, such as sweet orange and grapefruit, are also good fits.

Acne

Acne is a chronic yet common skin disease that appears most often as visible marks on the face, although body acne can occur as well. This affliction usually starts in the adolescent years because of developing hormones, but it continues in some individuals well into adulthood. If you have acne, your skincare routine should involve non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products that don’t contribute to clogging. Essential oils can be a natural remedy if you have a milder case of acne. Essential oils with clarifying, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties tend to be the most useful.

If you have a mild case of acne, try these essential oils:

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Capable of clearing up mild to moderate breakouts, which can be attributed to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oregano Essential Oil: Shown strong activity in suppressing bacteria that causes acne due to its synergy between the compound Thymol and its other constituents.
Lemongrass Essential Oil: A great complexion booster for those with acne because it has natural astringent properties and can reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Mature Skin

Aging is a natural process that can lead to a range of skin manifestations including fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, dullness, and reduced elasticity. Another common occurrence that’s preventable is premature aging, which is a phenomenon where the aging process is sped up. However, skin’s youthful radiance can be restored by focusing on essential oils that rejuvenate, protect, and possess antioxidative properties.

If you have mature skin, try these essential oils:

Clary Sage Essential Oil: Believed to naturally relieve issues related to hormonal imbalances in women that can lead to skin abnormalities and is reputed to stimulate cell regeneration that can help prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Palmarosa Essential Oil: Deeply moisturizes skin and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Jasmine Essential Oil: Soothes the skin and intensively boosts hydration.

Safety and Essential Oils

Just because something’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe. Plants and herbal products contain many bioactive compounds that may harm your health, and essential oils are no different. However, when combined with a base oil for topical use, most essential oils are considered safe.

Nevertheless, essential oils may cause some side effects, including:

Rashes
Asthma Attacks
Headaches
Allergic Reactions

While the most common side effect of essential oils is a rash, they can also cause more serious reactions. The essential oils that have been most commonly associated with adverse reactions are lavender, peppermint, and tea tree.

Follow these tips to ensure you use essential oils safely:

Read labels: Pay attention to any warnings on essential oil packaging.
Areas to avoid: Don’t apply essential oils to the nose, inner ears, eyes, broken skin, or other sensitive areas.
Dilution: To minimize skin sensitivity, dilute oils with a carrier oil. The suggested dilution rate is one drop of essential oil to at lieast five drops of carrier oil.

Source: Craft Mart

Sun sensitivity: Some essential oils may pose a risk for sun sensitivity (particularly citrus oils). Avoid direct sunlight or UV rays for at least 12 hours after using citrus oils topically.
Allergies: Be aware of allergies, and if you do have them, don’t apply essential oils.
Diffusion: When diffusing essential oils, always diffuse in a well-ventilated area, use 30-minute intervals, take breaks between diffusion intervals, make sure pets have the option to leave the room, and follow dilution guidelines.
Safe storage: Make sure to store essential oils out of reach of children. Keep oils out of excessive light or heat.
Talk to a healthcare professional. If you have specific health concerns, consult with your doctor before using essential oils.

Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil

Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil is formulated with a precious blend of four essential oils. These essential oils were hand-selected for their specific multisensory benefits, and they are formulated in at levels that are safe for topical application day or night:

Frankincense Oil: Possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, astringent, aromatherapeutic, and tonic properties. Has been used in skincare preparations to assist with wound healing and purification.
Petitgrain Oil: Possesses antiseptic, deodorant, aromatherapeutic, anti-inflammatory, and tonic properties. Assists with moisture and oil balancing of the skin. An ideal oil for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Blue Tansy Oil: Possesses aromatherapy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties. Helps to calm, soothe, and cool the skin. Typically used to address sensitive or problem skin.
Vetiver Root Oil: Possesses antioxidant, antiseptic, antimicrobial, aromatherapeutic, and tonic properties. Helps to moisturize and nourish dry, irritated, and dehydrated skin.

The Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil can be applied to visibly repair, deeply nourish, and diminish signs of stress on your skin twice daily. As part of your holistic wellness regime, it can also be used on pulse points and other skin externalities to help aromatically calm and soothe your mind, body, and soul.

You can shop the Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil here.

—

References:

https://www.worldhistory.org/Lascaux_Cave/ [1]

https://utamaspicebali.com/essential-oils/why-essential-oils-were-important-to-ancient-egyptian-pharaohs/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20most%20common,both%20death%20and%20in%20life.&text=When%20a%20body%20was%20prepared,the%20body%20was%20then%20embalmed. [2]

https://www.jadedragon.com/archives/tao_heal/aroma01.html [3]

https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/category/natural/Keeping-with-Tradition-Essential-Oil-History-Use-and-Production-A-Review-511922692.html [4]

https://artisanaromatics.com/steam-distillation-essential-oils/ [5]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22936057/ [6]

The Sacred Art of Smudging

Posted on November 4, 2021December 18, 2023 by Jennifer Norman

Sacred smoke created from burning medicinal or sacred plants is an aspect of many cultures and religions around the world. In North America and Canada, it’s a practice that’s common to Indigenous Peoples and is called smudging. During smudging ceremonies, herbs and medicines are burned as part of a ritual for cleansing or healing purposes. Indigenous peoples have their own terms or phrases for smudging, including atisamanihk (Cree for “at the smudge”) and nookwez (Ojibwe for “smudge medicinally.”) With the chaotic nature of the world we live in, the idea of cleansing our space and ourselves of negative energy sounds appealing but understanding and appreciating the art of smudging is important before taking part in the tradition.

What Is the Purpose of Smudging?

Smudging serves a variety of purposes in different Indigenous cultures. As a ritual, it is considered significant to spiritual and theological beliefs, much like sweat lodges and sacred pipes in other cultures. Smudging connects humans to the Creator and provides communities a way to gain spiritual protection and blessings.

The smoke created by burning sacred herbs is thought to purify the body and soul and bring clarity to the mind. In this way, smudging is also used to cleanse places that are said to hold negative energy. Consequently, smudging was – and still is – performed during times of crisis, ill health, and death.

Smudging is also practiced to restore the physical self by targeting parts of the body, such as the head, feet, back, and sensory organs. These targeted areas provide the whole body with a renewed sense of self. According to many Ojibwe teachings, smudging on the back allows for the release of troubles that weigh one down. Smudging the ears, eyes, and mouth provides for better hearing, visual, and language skills, and a clearer understanding of one’s surroundings and place on this earth. Additionally, respect for yourself and others, including the earth, is central to Indigenous cultures and teachings.

Indigenous communities find peace through smudging. In the aftermath of the loss of territory and traditional economies, epidemics, and socioeconomic factors that have caused intergenerational trauma, smudging has offered a method of healing. This is not a “fresh start,” but a way to cope and cleanse negative thoughts and feelings associated with hardships.

Source: Converging Pathways

A Brief History of Smudging

The practice of smudging, and its accompanying herb bundles, abalone shells, and hawk feathers, is probably familiar to most who have dabbled in the new-age alternative health world. But where did smudging originate? The practice of burning fragrant herbs and resins has been around for centuries, such as in Egypt’s 5th dynasty (2465-2323 BCE) where they used incense burners.¹

Source: Ancient Wellness

This practice that originated in antiquity has since been practiced by many cultures. The Celts had a practice of “saining” that involved sprinkling water from a river or stream, combined with burning juniper to bless or protect, or consecrate a home or person.² Palo Santo, a common herb used when smudging, is still used by Amazonian tribes for healing and in shamanic rituals. Additionally, Catholics use frankincense and myrrh while in church, which is a practice that found its origins in the Old Testament.

These are all forms of smudging, but the one that many of us are familiar with is most associated with Native American traditions. Smudging is often done to mark the beginning of ceremonies. The clouds of smoke are used to bathe away negative energies and purify spaces and people. The herbs, sometimes known as “medicine,” are placed in a shell or fireproof container and a feather or fan is used to waft the smoke.

Source: Ancient Wellness

If you are going to smudge, it is important to respect the traditions of the Native American people. After all, it was not until 1978 that the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed. Before that, many Native American ceremonies, including smudging, were illegal in some places and it was only through the courage of those practicing in secret that these traditions were preserved and passed down to current generations.

Common Herbs Used For Smudging

With the discovery of fire, early Indigenous humans began to notice that aromatic smoke was produced by burning dried plants. As herbs, roots, resins, and barks are changed from their physical forms, they are made into smoke by the element of fire.

Throughout human history, aromatic plants have been used in the daily activities of people from all different cultures. However, when smudging, there are a select few herbs that are used more often, such as:

Sage

Sage is commonly used for healing, with its smoke being known to bless, cleanse, and heal the person or object being smudged. Sage is used to “wash off” the outside world when one enters a ceremony or sacred space. The plants that are called Sage come from very different families of plants. True Sages are a genus of Salvia; this includes Salvia Officinalis (Garden Sage) and Salvia Apiana (White Sage), also called California White Sage or Sacred Sage.

Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Cedar

Cedar is a medicine of protection, the trees being viewed as very old, wise, and powerful spirits. Cedar is often used to cleanse a home or apartment when first moving in, asking unwanted spirits to leave and protecting a person, place, or object from unwanted influences. It is used as a name for several different genera of trees and shrubs. The primary ones are Cedrus, Thuja, and Libdocedrus.

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs

Lavender

Lavender, which is an herb with its roots in Europe, is most often used for the invitation of spirits. The name may be derived from the Latin “lavare” (to wash) or “livendula” (bluish). In ancient times, lavender was an important herb used in mummification. There is a legend that the clothing of Jesus was laid upon a lavender bush and acquired the fragrance. Some Christians still regard the scent of lavender as a safeguard against evil.

Source: Healthline

Palo Santo

Considered by many to be a holy wood, the Incas have been burning Palo Santo since ancient times as a spiritual remedy to purify and cleanse. Purifying the spirit and cleansing negative energy are commonly used for palo santo wood smudge sticks, but the sacred wood is also known to inspire creativity, bring a deeper connection to the divine source, and aid in physical healing. While Sage is said to remove negativity, Palo Santo is known to bring back the good.

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs

4 Benefits of Smudging

Smudging is an ancient art that has been practiced by Indigenous communities for millennia. Though there are many herbs to choose from once you truly study smudging, the art form is just as important as what materials you use.

Here are 4 benefits of smudging you should know about:

1. It Purifies and Cleanses the Air

Smudging is believed to release negative ions, which has been linked in studies to a more positive mood and cleaner air. Negative ions are known to attach to positively charged particles in large numbers causing allergens and pollutants to become too heavy to stay airborne. They then attach to the floor or a nearby surface, removing them from the air you breathe.

In high concentrations, negative ions can clear the air of:

Mold Spores
Pollen
Pet Dander
Odors
Cigarette Smoke
Bacteria
Viruses
Dust

2. It’s Nature’s Antidepressant

The negative ions produced by smudging can offer antidepressant effects. They are even said to be as effective as a prescription antidepressant without the side effects.

Dr. Clarence Hansell, a research engineer who delved into the biological effects of negative ions in the air during the 1930s after noticing that the mood of one of his colleagues changed in response to ions being generated by their equipment, discovered that his colleague was more joyful when the machine produced negative ions and sullener when it did not.

A study published in 1998 by the Archives of General Psychiatry, which was focused on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and was an extension of Hansell’s work, found that fresh air charged with negative ions was an effective treatment and prevention of depression. It worked similarly to antidepressant drugs thanks to its effects on serotonin levels.

3. It Can Cleanse and Empower Objects

Not only can smudging cleanse a room, but it can also cleanse objects. Whenever you bring an object home, especially something like an antique that’s been exposed to possible negative energy over the years, you can use a smudging stick to cleanse the object. If you have any concern with the history or energy attached to an object, smudging may help bring peace of mind and make the object more sacred to you.

4. It Offers Relaxing Effects

Smudging can offer calming and relaxing effects that are known to help lower blood pressure, relieve stress and tension, and normalize breathing rates. When the negative ions produced from smudging are absorbed directly into your bloodstream, they may even help to fight off damaging free radicals that can lead to premature aging and disease.

Smudging Instructions

Let your positive beliefs guide you. Free your thoughts of negativity. You have all the tools you need to cleanse your space and protect it. Invoke a blessing that alights your soul. Light your favorite herb and know that you are surrounded in love.

Here are a few instructions to help guide you in creating your own safe, spirited cleansing rituals:

Use caution at all times. You may open a window or door as needed to ensure smoke does not build up. This will allow negative energy a clean exit.
If your sage bundle is wrapped tightly, you may want to unwrap and loosen the bundle for easier burning. If your Sage bundle is wrapped a bit loosely, it should burn well when tied (the string is cotton and safe to burn along with the Sage). You may also break smaller Sage pieces from the bundle and burn them in the shell.
Light your Sage bundle or Palo Santo stick for about 15-30 seconds. Hold the flame to the tip, slowly rotate and tilt the stick/bundle in different ways to generate a nice ember. Gently blow on the ember for 1-second intervals to maintain it. Always use caution.
Sage and Palo Santo will naturally stop burning and snuff out within a couple of minutes (Palo Santo is especially difficult to keep lit). This is perfectly normal and the nature of these sacred items – relight as needed. Be cautious of any breeze or draft which can prolong the embers. Do not leave unattended while burning.
Use your Abalone shell to catch ashes or hold your Sage/ Palo Santo while burning (shell will get hot, use caution). When finished, store your kit in a moisture-free/ low-humidity area.
Note- Abalone shells have natural variations such as iridescence, holes, black markings, and rough patches. You may clean your shell after using it to keep it looking fresh over time. Abalone are products of nature that have been traditionally used as smudging bowls for more than 12,000 years.
Begin in any room, and start in the area furthest from the exit. Move the smoke from the Sage or Palo Alto all around the room– high, low, side to side, as you make your way to the exit.
Move onto the next room, and repeat step 6.
If smudging a person or object, slowly move so the smoke flows all around the body of the person or object, top to bottom and side to side. This can be done standing or laying down. Always use caution.

Smudging Mantras

Our words carry great power. So if you repeat a mantra while smudging, you’re essentially using your words to fill your body and space with positive energy, while erasing the negative energy with sacred smoke.

Use any of the smudging mantras below that resonate with you:

“I cleanse this space of any heaviness and negativity.”
“I am grateful for health, abundance, and happiness.”
“I release all energies that do not serve me.”
“I release conditioned patterns, and I trust the Universe and my intuition to guide me.”
“I release any worry from my body and my space.”
“I am filled with love, light, and peace.”

Humanist Beauty’s New Sacred Smudge Kit

The ancient tradition of smudging has been practiced by Indigenous Americans to offer blessings and purification. The new Humanist Beauty Sacred Smudge Kit can be used in your own personal ritual to help periodically cleanse away negative energy and replace it with positive energy, infusing your surroundings with blessings, harmony, and peace.

Each Smudge Kit includes:

2 White Sage smudging sticks (approximately 4”)
2 Palo Santo sticks (3” to 4”)
1 Authentic Abalone shell smudge bowl (4.75” to 6”)
1 Rose Quartz crystal (0.75” to 1”)
1 Detailed instruction card with blessings
1 Small drawstring bag for the Rose Quartz stone

Every botanical item in the Sacred Smudging Kit is sustainably grown, collected, and replenished:

Our Sage is grown sustainably and 100% naturally on private land in its original habitat in the mountains of the west coast, USA. It’s carefully harvested not to be over-trimmed so that new shoots spring forth after cutting.
Our Palo Santo wood grows in its indigenous habitat in Peru. Branches are gathered by locals after freely falling to the quiet forest floor (never cut). To ensure this sacred tree survives for generations to come, young Palo Santo saplings are replanted each year.
Our natural Abalone shell is harvested under strict regulations to ensure sustainability.
Rose Quartz is a soft, pink stone that signifies the true and unconditional Love that lives within and flourishes from your Heart chakra. Set an intention of Love with this crystal, and bring your consciousness to a higher level while restoring Trust, Compassion, and Harmony.

You can shop the Humanist Beauty Sacred Smudge Kit here.

—