I always use sage. It is my preference. There are other things you can use as well. Firekeeper had some great suggestions in older posts.
Some people use heavey smoke to smudge. That is not necessary. What is necessary, is to have the windows open or do it outside. Sage gathers negativity and carries it away.
Many people place a drop of essential oil on the third eye instead of smudging. I prefer to smudge. I am very allergic to perfumes and other scented products. I make portable smudge sticks that give enough smoke to smudge my entire family..........I roll them in a cigarette roller with just a pinch of tobacco. One puff to get a good light then hold as any other smudge stick. May not look authentic but it works for this old native lady. I can take them anywhere and use them anywhere without fear of starting a fire. Some of the store sage bundles drop fire. The little rolled bundles give enough smoke to do the job. Even the asthmatics can be smudged this way.
blackearth
