Burning herbs and seeds for energy cleansing has been a ritual practiced since ancient civilizations. Although the specifics may vary, the concepts remain the same: using the smoke to ward off the “evil eye.” The evil eye is a supernatural curse that is believed to be brought upon someone by a malevolent glare.
Espand:
Espand, also known as esfand or wild rue seeds, is believed to ward off the evil eye and is practiced in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and parts of India and Pakistan. In Afghanistan, different families recite their own versions of an “Espand e balaaband” chant, which translates to the “evil hanger.” Espand is similar to a dream catcher, but for negative energies or “balaas,” with a warm earthy scent. It is usually burnt on a piece of aluminum foil over an open fire. Once smoke appears, various chants are recited with thematic messages around shooing negative energy and unwelcoming the evil eye.
Although its spiritual uses can be traced back to Zoroastrian roots and ayurvedic traditions, it’s also believed to have various health benefits including, “antispasmodic effects to heal stomach cramps and to expel parasitic worms,” according to a March 2020 Persian Food Tours article.
Sage:
Originating from Native American traditions, smudging with sage has now become a common practice. Sage bundles are usually prepared from sage leaves and other additional herbs and are wrapped in yarn or twine.
Smudging is a sacred practice and the sudden rise in population amongst non-natives has taken a dangerous turn into cultural appropriation and put white sage at risk for extinction. Millenials and Gen Z’s have popularized smudging to the point that sage has been at risk of endangerment due to overharvesting, according to a March 2021 article by Medium,
Although the plants are technically no longer considered endangered, they’re still considered to be at risk.
Incense:
The term incense comes from the Latin root, “incensum” which literally translates to, "that which is burnt,” according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. It’s the most versatile practice of cleansing through different cultures by using incense in different ways and purposes. The origins are debated between Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, yet the two main variations are between the Eastern and Western cultures, according to an article by Made How, a website that explains how things are made.
The article also states that Western incense comes almost exclusively from the gum resins in tree bark, whereas Eastern incense is processed from other plants such as sandalwood, patchouli, agarwood, and vetiver.
Palo Santo:
Translating to “holy wood,” palo santo is a wild tree from South America that is used for healing purposes, according to a 2022 article from Mind Body Green, a health and wellness website. It is also believed to be related to frankincense and myrrh, which may be why the scent of the burnt wood resembles a combination of lemony, minty, and pine undertones, according to the same article.
“Shamans and healers, often known as Curanderos, traditionally used the energizing and healing properties of palo santo to purify air, dispel evil spirits, and cleanse negative energy,” says the article.
Because there is a fine line between using these products respectfully and appropriating the culture, it’s important to remain educated on their uses and significance.
