DIY

How to Make Herbal Smoke Bundles

Using local and garden herbs

There are many herbs and flowers that can be used for smoke cleanses, to be mindful of culturally appropriative and environmentally problematic practices around the use of white sage, as explored in the following article:

Long ago humans probably noticed that campfire smoke kept insects like mosquitoes away when little else could. Or maybe they perceived an altered energy when certain herbs were burned. Whatever the origins, smoke cleanses are an important part of human culture everywhere on Earth.

With the popularity of herbalism and Nature-centered religions has come an increased interest in a few specific herbs for smoke cleansing like palo santo and white (or ceremonial) sage. I will admit those two herbs smell very nice but, relying on two over-harvested herbs for smoke blends isn’t a sustainable practice.

There are hundreds of herbs that can be used for healing, enchanting smoke and many of them found locally and in great abundance.

In this article I will show you how I make dry bouquets meant to burn with two herbs that are very common where I live: lavender flowers and pine needles.

Step 1 ~ Gather the herbs

Rosemary, garden sage, mugwort, lemon balm, and more are all great plants for this projects. Most medicinal herbs will work, but if you aren’t sure, do some research or ask an herbalist friend if a specific herb is safe to burn.

The herbs gathered should be about eight inches long and then laid flat on a basket or a clean table with the other supplies.

Step 2 ~ Choose the twine

Besides the herbs themselves, the most important ingredient to this craft is twine, or a thick string. I use cotton twine but wool yarn would also work well. Just be sure not to use any type of synthetic string made of nylon as that will smell like burning plastic when the whole bundle is lit aflame.

Then, gather up the herbs and arrange them in a way that is pleasing to the eye. You can experiment with the amount of herbs in each bundle. Too many herbs will take quite a while to dry, and too few is a bit boring and not worth the thread used. Somewhere in between lies the ideal quantity.

Step 3 ~ Wrap the bundles

As these fresh herbs dry, the diameter of the bundle will shrink, so it is important to tie the string tightly. I like to wrap them snugly and tie a bow but not a permanent knot. Weeks later when the bundles are dry I will often tighten up the string and tie a true knot so that everything is secure.

Some people wrap the entirety of the bundle from top to bottom but I personally like to begin at the stems and let the flowers fan out, much like a miniature bouquet.

Step 4 ~ Dry the herbs

The bundles will take about a month to dry completely. I tend to dry them on a flat basket or hang them upside down indoors.

After this period has passed, they should be moisture-free and ready to store, gift, or burn. I like to give these as gifts to nature-loving friends and burn them in and around the house when I feel like a little cleansing ritual is needed.

Very often I don’t burn them for months and months as these little bouquets also make lovely decorations on tables or in a jar like a fresh bouquet but without water.

Happy crafting, everyone!