Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual.

Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups.

The most-used types of sage have antimicrobial properties. This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.

White prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is both antimicrobial and antibacterial.

White sage (Salvia apiana) is also antimicrobial. And both have been shown to repel insects

Beliefs that burning sage clears out spiritual impurities, pathogens, and even insects have been fundamental to the practice of smudging.

It turns out that sage may help clear the air of lots more than bugs and bacteria.

Though scientifically unproven, burning sage is thought to release negative ions. This is said to help neutralize positive ions.

Common positive ions are allergens like:

• pet dander
• pollution
• dust
• mold

If this is the case, burning sage may be a blessing for those with asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. But inhaling the smoke during the smudging can aggravate any respiratory condition. Wait until the smoke clears before going into the room.

Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition.

For healers and laypeople in traditional cultures, burning sage is used to achieve a healing state — or to solve or reflect upon spiritual dilemmas.

This may have some scientific basis, too. Certain types of sage, including salvia sages and white prairie sage, contain thujone.

Research shows that thujone is mildly psychoactive. It’s actually found in many plants used in cultural spiritual rituals to enhance intuition.

Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual.

Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups.

The most-used types of sage have antimicrobial properties. This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.

White prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is both antimicrobial and antibacterial.

White sage (Salvia apiana) is also antimicrobial. And both have been shown to repel insects

Beliefs that burning sage clears out spiritual impurities, pathogens, and even insects have been fundamental to the practice of smudging.

It turns out that sage may help clear the air of lots more than bugs and bacteria.

Though scientifically unproven, burning sage is thought to release negative ions. This is said to help neutralize positive ions.

Common positive ions are allergens like:

• pet dander
• pollution
• dust
• mold

If this is the case, burning sage may be a blessing for those with asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. But inhaling the smoke during the smudging can aggravate any respiratory condition. Wait until the smoke clears before going into the room.

Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition.

For healers and laypeople in traditional cultures, burning sage is used to achieve a healing state — or to solve or reflect upon spiritual dilemmas.

This may have some scientific basis, too. Certain types of sage, including salvia sages and white prairie sage, contain thujone.

Research shows that thujone is mildly psychoactive. It’s actually found in many plants used in cultural spiritual rituals to enhance intuition.