First Nations People were given special medicinal plants by the Creator. The first of these plants that were gifted is tobacco, which is considered to be the spirit activator of all other plants. Together with tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass, they form the group of plants called The Four Sacred Medicines. It is said that tobacco sits in the eastern door, sweetgrass in the southern door, sage in the western door and cedar in the northern door.
The burning of sacred plants in your home is referred to as smudging, and is a practice that is commonly done when you feel the need to rid a space of negative energies of the past and to give yourself a fresh start. For example, if there has recently been an argument in your environment, burning sage can help to infuse your home with positive energy and a feeling of peace.
Tobacco is an essential sacrament of any Native American spiritual ceremony. It provides a direct link between the person who is offering the plant and the Spirit who is receiving its smoke.
Sweetgrass is known as the sacred hair of mother earth. It is often braided using twenty-one blades of grass. It can be used as a purifying herb and as incense in smudging. Sweetgrass has a pleasing vanilla scented aroma.
Sage is often used for smudging and as a preparation for ceremony. It is typically used to cleanse a space of negativity and evil spirits. Sage also has anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties that make it a useful weapon in combating many illnesses.
Cedar wood has antioxidant, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in smudging to purify your home in a cleansing ceremony. The smoke of burning cedar will attract good energy and is especially effective for those who are currently under a lot of stress.
Each of The Four Sacred Medicines are restorative and are known to revive the tired mind, body, and spirit.
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