10/04/2025
The Science of Smudging: What Sage Does to Bacteria
The Science of Smudging: What Sage Does to Bacteria
Smudging is the ritualistic burning of sage (usually white sage) and other herbs like cedar, sweetgrass, or lavender.
This practice is typically performed using a bundle of dried sage leaves, called a smudge stick, which is lit and allowed to produce smoke.
The smoke is then gently wafted through the air using a feather or hand, while intentions of cleansing or healing are set.
The aromatic smoke produced by burning sage has long been believed to have purifying properties, and practitioners of smudging often use it to cleanse homes, objects, or even people.
But beyond the spiritual and psychological benefits, does burning sage have any measurable impact on the physical environment?
Key Findings:
• The study found that burning medicinal herbs like sage significantly reduced the number of airborne bacteria. In fact, the smoke from the herbs eliminated up to 94% of airborne bacteria in a closed space within just one hour.
• What’s even more impressive is that the air remained almost completely free of harmful bacteria for up to 24 hours after smudging. Some potentially pathogenic bacteria were absent even after 30 days in the smudged environment.
These findings suggest that the antimicrobial properties of burning sage could indeed help reduce the presence of bacteria and other microbes in the air, making it a viable option for air purification in enclosed spaces.
How Does Smudging Work?
The antimicrobial effects of sage smoke are believed to come from the bioactive compounds found in the plant, including volatile oils and terpenes like 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), camphor, and thujone.
When burned, these compounds are released into the air and may interact with the cellular structures of bacteria, effectively neutralizing them.
