01/31/2026
Ancient smudging reveals real atmospheric chemistry beyond mystic belief
For centuries the Native American practice of smudging, burning sacred herbs like sage, sweetgrass, and cedar — has been revered as a spiritual way to cleanse the air, calm the mind, and restore balance. Now science is beginning to show that some elements of these ancient traditions have measurable effects on the world around us. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that when medicinal herbs are burned to produce smoke in a closed room, airborne bacterial counts can drop by more than 94 percent within about one hour, and the space can remain largely free of those bacteria for up to a day afterwards.
It’s important to point out that this experiment didn’t test sage alone, and it didn’t make any claims about viruses or full air sterilisation. However, it does show that the chemical compounds released in the smoke from burning certain aromatic plants can interact with aerial bacteria in ways that reduce their presence in the environment.
Smudging has always been rooted in deep cultural meaning and spiritual intent. Today’s science helps us appreciate that there may be real atmospheric chemistry behind some of what our ancestors observed long before modern laboratories existed. This doesn’t replace established air‑quality practices like proper ventilation and filtration, but it does broaden our understanding of how natural compounds interact with microbes and air chemistry.
Imagine a world where traditions and scientific insight walk hand in hand, where ancient wisdom inspires new ways to think about air quality, microbial ecology, and the hidden chemistry in the smoke we see and breathe.