How to Make Smudge Sticks with Local and Seasonal Herbs

There’s something deeply grounding about gathering herbs from your garden or local hedgerow, tying them together with care, and creating something both beautiful and purposeful. Smudge sticks – or herbal smoke bundles – are a lovely way to cleanse your space, reconnect with nature, and honour the changing seasons.

It’s important to mention that two commonly used plants in smudging – white sage and palo santo – are considered sacred by Indigenous communities and are now at risk due to overharvesting and cultural appropriation. For those of us outside these traditions, it's both respectful and rewarding to turn to local alternatives.

Making Smudge Sticks with Local and Seasonal Herbs

Fortunately, summer offers an abundance of beautiful herbs and flowers that are perfect for smoke cleansing! From fragrant lavender and cleansing rosemary to sunny calendula and refreshing mint, there are numerous ethically sourced, seasonal options to work with – each carrying its unique scent, energy, and symbolism.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of making seasonal herbs smudge sticks using local and seasonal plants. We’ll cover everything from what to forage to how to dry your bundles and use them safely.

What Is a Smudge Stick?

A smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs, tied together with string, and burned gently to release aromatic smoke. Traditionally used in various Indigenous ceremonies, this practice holds deep spiritual significance in many cultures.

In modern, non-Indigenous contexts, people often use herbal smoke bundles as a way to cleanse the energy in a room, mark a seasonal shift, or bring a calming scent into their home. We can do this respectfully by learning from tradition while using locally grown and mindfully harvested herbs.

Choosing Local and Seasonal Herbs

Making smudge sticks gives you the chance to work with the seasons and what’s growing right around you. Each bundle becomes a little moment in time – a slow-living snapshot of what’s in bloom.

Here are some ideas by season:

Smudge Sticks: Choosing Local and Seasonal Herbs

Spring

• Lavender – calming and floral

• Thyme – antibacterial and grounding

• Chamomile – sweet and soothing

• Rose petals – gentle, loving energy

• Hawthorn blossom – protective and heart-opening

Summer

• Garden sage – cleansing and clarifying

• Mint – fresh and invigorating

• Calendula – sunny, healing energy

• Yarrow – protective and earthy

• Lemon balm – uplifting and gentle

• Rose – romantic, peaceful

Autumn

• Bay leaves – strong, spicy scent for focus

• Dried citrus peel – bright and energising

• Mugwort – dreamy and intuitive

• Cedar sprigs – earthy and steadying

Winter

• Pine or spruce needles – cleansing and crisp

• Juniper – protective and purifying

• Cinnamon sticks – warm and comforting

• Dried orange slices – seasonal and sweet

Note: Always identify plants correctly and avoid any toxic substances. Forage mindfully and never take more than you need.

How Many Herbs Do I Need for a Smudge Stick?

For a smudge stick around 12 cm long and 4 cm in diameter once dried, you’ll want to start with:

• 10–15 fresh herb stems in total(this includes your base herbs and accent flowers)

Here’s a rough guide:

• 6–8 sturdier stems (like rosemary, sage, bay)

• 4–7 softer or decorative sprigs (like lavender, mint, calendula, rose)

Top Tip: Your fresh bundle should look slightly oversized – almost fluffy – when you tie it. It will shrink down as it dries to the final shape you’re aiming for.

How to Make a Smudge Stick (Step-by-Step)

You’ll Need:

• A handful of fresh herbs (4–6 stems per stick)

• Natural cotton string or twine

• Scissors

• Somewhere dry and airy to hang them

How to Make Smudge Sticks with Local and Seasonal Herbs

Step 1: Gather Your Herbs

Pick herbs early in the day once any dew has dried. Look for healthy, dry stems and gently shake off any soil or insects.

Step 2: Bundle Them

Arrange the herbs with thicker stems in the centre and softer leaves or petals around the outside. If you’re adding dried flower heads or citrus peel, place them where they’ll be seen.

Step 3: Wrap and Tie

Cut a piece of string (about 60cm). Start at the base and wrap upwards in a spiral, then cross back down to create a secure criss-cross pattern. Tie off firmly.

Wrap tightly – the herbs will shrink as they dry.

Step 4: Hang to Dry

Hang your smudge sticks upside down in a well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. Drying typically takes 1–3 weeks, depending on the type of herbs used and the prevailing humidity.

Using Your Smudge Stick Safely

Once dry, your herbal bundle is ready to use. Here’s how:

1. Light the end of the smudge stick briefly and let it smoulder.

2. Blow out the flame and allow the smoke to rise gently.

3. Hold it over a ceramic dish, seashell or fireproof bowl.

4. Waft the smoke using your hand or a feather, moving slowly and with intention through your space.

5. Press the tip into sand or soil to fully extinguish when finished.

Never leave a burning smudge stick unattended. Avoid using around pets or those with respiratory sensitivities.

Ideas for Using Smudge Sticks

You can use your handmade smudge sticks in many calming and meaningful ways:

• To refresh your space at the start of a new season

• As part of a morning ritual or evening wind-down

• During meditation, journaling or yoga

• To clear the air after a stressful day

• As a lovely alternative to incense or synthetic sprays

Adding Meaning with Herbal Intention

Each herb you include carries its symbolism. Here are a few popular choices:

• Lavender – peace, calm, rest

• Rosemary – clarity, remembrance

• Mint – focus, energy, fresh starts

• Calendula – healing, creativity

• Sage – cleansing, renewal

You could even write an affirmation and wrap it inside the bundle before tying.

Seasonal Herbs Smudge Sticks FAQ

1. Can I burn any herbs I find in my garden?

Not always. Some plants are toxic when burned or irritating to the lungs. Always research and avoid anything you’re unsure about (e.g. ivy, foxglove, and oleander are all toxic).

2. Do I need to use fresh or dried herbs to make the bundle?

Start with fresh herbs – they’re easier to wrap. The bundle is then thoroughly dried before use to ensure it burns cleanly.

3. Can I make smudge sticks without using string?

String is essential for keeping the herbs tightly in place while drying. Natural cotton or hemp string works well and burns cleanly when used for lighting.

4. Do smudge sticks go out quickly?

Yes – they’re meant to smoulder, not burn like a candle. If your bundle keeps going out, trim the end slightly or relight as needed.

5. Is this the same as traditional Indigenous smudging?

No – Indigenous smudging is a sacred, spiritual practice with specific rituals and meanings. Using herbal smoke for cleansing or calming at home is different, and we can honour that distinction by being mindful, respectful, and choosing local herbs instead of endangered plants.

Final Thoughts

Making smudge sticks is a beautiful way to slow down, get creative, and weave the seasons into your home rituals. Whether you use them for cleansing, scent, or to mark the moment, each bundle is a quiet celebration of the now.