Why Do People Burn Sage?
Burning sage, also known as smudging, is defined as “a symbolic exercise that involves burning selected herbs or materials in a manner that fills the home or spaces to clear negative energy and to fill these areas with the fragrance of smoke.” This post will look at why people practice this Native American tradition. There are many things that can cause a person to burn sage for either spiritual, medical, social, or physical purposes. 
This post will discuss three main categories or reasons:
- Health
- Spirit
- Aromatherapy
Smudging Process
- Simply light a match.
- Burn the sage bundle. If a flame emerges, simply blow it until the sage begins to give off smoke.
- Place this on a heatproof mat or a bowl.
- Allow the scent to fill the room.
Reason One: Health
Sage leaves have been used for thousands of years as a common flavoring herb for delicious meals. They were also used by the Native Americans in a process called smudging. One can purchase dried sage from many health food stores and spiritual stalls worldwide. These sprigs are usually tied together with a string for maximum “effect.” Burning sage in your home, office, workplace, or wherever you wish creates a sense of peace. The compounds that are released within the smoke are excellent for improving your mental health and lowering the stress hormone known as cortisol.
Many people say that burning sage in your home is like taking an energetic shower. The body seems to release tension from the muscles, especially around the face, forehead, neck, and back. Burning sage reduces allergens in the air from pets, and also reduces the effects of mold and dust particles. Special sages, such as salvia sage and white prairie sage, contain a compound called thujone. This compound has been scientifically shown to enhance the intuition of the brain, helping people to think more clearly.
Reason Two: Spirit
Sage is burnt to invoke a sense of peace and calmness in the body as the compounds within sage get released into the air. As you inhale these, you can enjoy mental and physical relaxation triggered by the aroma. Many people 
perform this practice in modern times as a healthy and spiritual ritual. This is usually performed before meditation, during healing and yoga sessions, or when moving into a new home in an attempt to increase spirituality levels in the household. By burning sage, negative energies can be removed. Moving the sage bundle around the home and around the body promotes relaxation and fills the air with the aroma sets to ward off bad energy and spirituality.
Reason Three: Aromatherapy
The aroma is absolutely wonderful and is said to remind people of their ancestors and elder relatives. This ritual is steeped in history and has been performed for thousands of years.
Aromatherapy sage oil is used in oil burners or electric diffusers, which is easier to work with and can reduce stress levels very quickly. Constant thoughts and chattering in the brain can make it difficult to fall asleep. Many people 
have used sage aromatherapy as a natural sleep aid to get relief from anxiety at night. Therefore, the aroma created by smudging, or sage burning, is often therapeutic. The atmosphere is not only pleasing as a smell but spiritually and medically pleasing.