In Australia, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities collect and smoulder native Australian plants to clear away unwanted energies and make way for positive, new energies. Some of the plants used are also renowned for their antimicrobial properties, and Eremophilia longifolia in particular has been found to release its healing properties through the process of smoking.

For me, the beautiful fragrance and ritual of taking the time to clear my home or studio and refocus my intentions are enough to make this a worthwhile ritual. I like to use native Australian plants that I’ve harvested in my local area to create generous bundles and use them to fill my home with the scents of the Australian bush.

To create your own native Australian smudge sticks you’ll need:

• A generous handful of small, leaf covered branches (about 25 cm long). Here I’ve used eucalyptus, melaleuca, casuarina and acacia. I’ve also used other Australian native plants like banksia, lemon myrtle and callistemon and herbs like sage, lavender and rosemary in combination with the Australian plants. Make sure that the leaves are fresh, free of disease and dry (not moist).
• Pure cotton thread or fine string
• Flower scissors

To make your smudge stick:

• Cut the branches to the same length, about 20cm, leaving a few centimetres of stem at one end to use as a handle.
• Arrange the stems in a bundle and bind and knot the end of the string (leaving a 10cm tail) to secure the branches together tightly at the stem end.
• Holding the bundle in one hand and the string in the other, wrap the string around the bundle, pulling tightly as you move toward the top.
• Upon reaching the top of the bundle, turn it around and wrap the string back down toward the stem end in the opposite direction to the first length of string. The strings should cross over along the length of the stick. Use this second pass to secure any leaves that were loose after the first.
• When you reach the stem end again, cut the string (leaving a length of about 10cm) and knot it firmly with the original 10cm length.
• Leave your bundle in a dark, warm, dry position with good air circulation for 3-4 weeks to dry.

Using your smudge stick:

• Holding the handle of your stick, light the end with a candle. Allow the end to remain alight with flame for a few seconds and then gently wave to extinguish the flame.
• Always holding the burning end of the stick over a ceramic bowl to catch falling ash, walk around your home gently waving your stick to fill each room with smoke.
• When finished, snuff the stick by pressing it into the ceramic bowl. Alternatively, leave the stick in the bowl, allowing it to smoulder until it extinguishes naturally.
• You may relight and repeat this process until the stick has completely burned.

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