Sage smudge, does anyone know how to make it at home?

Question

Sage smudge, does anyone know how to make it at home?

Answer 1

thanks for asking this question. . . i've asked a few question about smudge sticks just havent gotten around to asking this one, so cant wait to find out how as well, the first answer looks really good (dont know what else anyone could add.

Answer 2

You will need:

    * a Sushi Mat or newspaper sheet folded in half or a soft piece of leather about 12" x 18".

    * Thin but sturdy string; I use embroidery floss, pulled apart so it is 3 strands each. I use the colors to code the ingredients and remind me of what is in each one.

    * Garden clippers to cut the herbs as you work come in real handy

    * Plant material.

Cut small branches of plants in about 7 - 10 inch lengths. How much you harvest depends on the size of the branches and how many sticks you want. I pile every thing in a big basket, surround myself with my supplies, a cool glass of herbal tea, some munchies (healthy of course :-) ) and sit in the shade in The Garden and roll the afternoon away.

    * Take a few branches... or sometimes just one; ending again on size and shape.

    * Take a length of string and measure two and a half times the length of the branches.

    * Hold it in your hand (left hand for righties, right hand for lefties), so that the ends of the branches are facing upwards and the tips downward. (Your thumb and forefinger are in an upwards position)

    * With your other hand wrap a small amount around the base of the branches, tightly to hold them together.

    * Begin, in a downward, motion, to wrap around and around the branch. Pulling the string tightly, but not too tightly; just be firm.

    * When you get to the end, reverse direction and wrap again going back towards the ends of the branches. It will look "Zig zaggy".

    * When you get back to the end; wrap the string around again and then tie the two ends together.

    * Take the wrapped branch, (which is basically a Smudge Stick already, you just need to roll it to firm it up some more) and place about a quarter way up on the sushi mat.

    * Fold the short end of the mat up over the stick so it

    * In an upward motion, begin to roll the mat over the stick, so that inside the mat the stick is rolling.You needn’t roll really hard, just keep a firm, even pressure.

    * When you run out of mat; you have a smudge stick.

    * Trim as needed to make it look neat. I find "flat" ends light better, so I trim the end.

    * Place it on a screen or I use flat baskets to dry. Shouldn’t take too long; a week at the most. But it depends on the humidity of your weather; more or less.

    * Remember to keep it firm but not tight. If your sticks are rolled too tight they won’t dry properly or even if they do they will be hard to burn. If you roll to loosely it will fall apart when dry.