A smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs (commonly white sage) that releases a pleasant aroma when burnt; it is used in Native American shamanic traditions. Using scent and scented smoke in rites of purification, whether through smudging (the process of using a smudge stick) or burning incense, is common in many traditional cultures around the world.
Smudging in the modern era has been incorporated into many belief systems, including new age spirituality. Smudging rituals are regarded by their practitioners as psychologically and spiritually cleansing, and as a means to ‘clear negative energy.’ Participants can smudge themselves or others by fanning smoke in the appropriate direction, often with other ritual tools such as a bundle of feathers.
The Daily Omnivore 
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