Sage sticks – also referred to as smudge sticks or sage bundles – are a great tool for cleansing your home space. Bad energies, be gone! With a fascinating history, sage sticks were most famously used by Indigenous people. Today, they are still sacred to Native Americans, but they are also used more generally in homes to soothe stress, improve sleep and boost energy. Oh, and they are very popular for meditational purposes.
To help you find your next sage sticks, we did the honors of collating some of the best you can buy. Our favorite sage sticks are the Alternative Imagination Premium California White Sage Smudge Sticks, which are both affordable and grown without the use of pesticides. To learn more about these, plus our other options, read on.
Alternative Imagination Premium California White Sage Smudge Sticks
For cleansing away negative energy
High-quality and inexpensive? Check.
Pros:
- Grown in California
- Hand-tied with 100-percent cotton string
- No pesticides used in the growth or processing of the sage
- High-quality sage
- Pretty affordable
Cons:
- May need to loosen the string for a steady burn
These Alternative Imagination Premium California White Sage Smudge Sticks are grown in the United States of America. They are farmed without the use of pesticides or harsh chemicals. These three bundles are made from true white sage, also known as Salvia Apiana. White sage is often used to clear away negative energy and transform an area into a positive space. Each bundle measures in at 4-inches long and 1-inch wide and comes tied with a 100-percent cotton rope.
New Age Smudges and Herbs Sage Wands
Great for purification and spiritual blessings
Bring clarity and harmony home.
Pros:
- Cheap
- High-quality white sage
- Pack of three
- Hand-tied with 100-percent cotton string
- The sage is from the coastal mountains of California
Cons:
- Not the longest in size
These New Age Smudges and Herbs Sage Wands measure in at just under 3-inches long each. These sage sticks are used for purifying an object or area and for spiritual blessings. Each smudge bundle is carefully fastened together with a cotton string to ensure that your incense burns safely. Feel free to unwind the bundle and burn different twines and herbs or to burn the entire bundle at once.
Pros:
- Handcrafted in California
- Come in a pack of three
- Hand-tied with 100-percent cotton string
- 4-inches long
- Quite affordable
Cons:
- Not the most thick
Looking to neutralize negative energies in your house? These Govinda Smudge Sticks might just help. Made from white sage, they can be used in rituals, ceremonies, or simply just for personal cleansing. Hand-tied with 100-percent cotton string, they come in packs of three, and each stick is approximately 4-inches long. Not the thickest sage sticks available, they are approximately 1-inch wide, and they are handcrafted in California.
Pros:
- Sustainably sourced in the USA
- Wrapped using ancient techniques
- Sustainable and protected farming method
- Long, slow burn
- 4-inches long
Cons:
- Color of the cotton string may vary
If you're looking for the perfect sage stick to cleanse your mind, body, soul, and room before meditation, the GloFX White Sage Bundle is a great choice. Carefully rolled, the smudge stick provides an aroma that helps to purify your mind and prepare an area for deep meditation. The white sage works towards spiritually connecting you with your body. Measuring in at around 4-inches long, the naturally sourced sage stick should burn for a substantial amount of time.
Blue River Sage Sticks
Available in packs of six or twelve, these are a smart choice
Sustainably grown and carefully packaged, these are handmade and quality checked.
Pros:
- Instructions included
- Packs of six or twelve
- Sustainably grown
- Quality checked
- Handmade
- Carefully collected and packaged
Cons:
- Not the most affordable option
Offering you six or twelve individual sticks, the Blue River Sage Sticks are a no-brainer for anyone looking to stock up their smudging kit. Handcrafted and bound with blue cotton string, the sticks are grown on private land in the mountains around California, and the white sage is picked and prepared by trained workers who hand-tie each bundle. Quality-checked, these are an excellent option, and they come complete with a super-handy instruction kit. Frankly, we're sold.
Nippon Kodo Morning Star Sage Sticks
This one is for relaxation
An incense-sage hybrid. Pretty cool, if you ask us.
Pros:
- Crisp and fresh aroma
- Ceramic tile burner included
- Little smoke when burning
- 200 sticks per box
- A unique hybrid
Cons:
- Not sage sticks in the strictest sense, but great nonetheless
Available in a pack of 200, complete with a ceramic burner, the Nippon Kodo Morning Star Sage Sticks are great for daily use. Burn one stick while meditating, reading, sleeping, or relaxing. With very little smoke emitting from the burning of these sage sticks, you can truly enjoy the light aroma and peaceful ambiance created. These sage sticks are purely made from herbs with no added chemicals.
The bottom line
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These are some of the best sage sticks you can find, carefully picked out by yours truly. By this point, we imagine you've chosen your must-have sticks, but if not, don't sweat it – we have summarised accordingly.
Our chart-topper, commendable for their quality and affordability, is the Alternative Imagination Premium California White Sage Smudge Sticks. That said, we do have other top-notch picks in mind. For something a little smaller, try the New Age Smudges and Herbs Sage Wands – they're ever-so cute.
If you're keen to restore balance to your home, the Govinda Smudge Sticks are a solid choice, although they are not the thickest out there. Looking for a slow burn? Go for the GloFX White Sage Bundle. Stocking up? Buy the Blue River Sage Sticks. Finally, why not give the Nippon Kodo Morning Star Sage Sticks a blast? They're somewhere between a classic sage stick and incense – and boy, they smell good.