I got into smudging through aromatherapy. I mainly used it for de-stressing to start with, but then I found there were lots of other benefits as well.
One of the best herbs to use in a smudge stick is mint. There are at least 9 positive benefits of using mint smudge sticks, which include:
- Improving your mood
- Promoting relaxation (a biggie for me!)
- Boosting your immune system
- Clearing negative energy (yuck!)
- Enhance focus
- Help your respiratory system (breathe, baby)
- Repel bugs
- Purify the air
- Promote sleep
This is a pretty impressive list. I’ve been smudging for the best part of a decade, and I’ve really got to grips with the best practices to aim for.
In this article, I’ll go into the nine most important benefits of smudging with mint, and exactly why.
1. Improves Mood (and Mental Clarity)
Mint is a definitive energizer. It lifts the spirits and helps you feel good.
A study by Western Oregon University demonstrated how some kinds of mint had a strong effect on mood and mental vitality. (Source)
There is a freshness and a newness about the smell. I recently read a beautiful poem by the Irish poet Seamus Heaney about mint, where he says that:
But, to be fair, it also spelled promise
And newness in the back yard of our life
As if something callow yet tenacious
Sauntered in green alleys and grew rife.
Poem – Mint, by Seamus Heaney
But, to be fair, it also spelled promise
Seamus Heaney, Mint
And newness in the back yard of our life
As if something callow yet tenacious
Sauntered in green alleys and grew rife.
2. Promotes Relaxation and Reduces Stress
Mint is highly valued in aromatherapy. (Source)
The smell of mint can help to produce a sense of calm, and relieve stress.
I’ve always found that burning a mint smudge stick really does create a soothing environment. Your house just seems to ooze with relaxation (maybe it’s just me!).
The calming effect of mint helps to:
- Reduce stress
- Reduce tension in the body
- Relax the mind
(Source)
3. Clears Negative Energy
Mint is great at purging negativity. Ever noticed how many zingy mint products you can get for showering? This is no fluke!
It’s because the smell is brilliant at driving bad odors out, and bringing fresh and sparkly aromas in!
Traditionally, smudge sticks were used to clear negativity from an environment. I think a burning mint smudge stick really freshens up the house and helps to create a really positive environment.
4. Boosts Immune System
Mint leaves contain a whole load of nutritional goodies that are great for our bodies, and particularly our immune systems.
Some of the nutrients you can find in them include:
- Phosphorus – helps keep our teeth and bones healthy
- Vitamin A – which fights illness and infection
- Calcium – which helps with our nervous system and blood
- Vitamin C – which protects and regenerates cells
- Vitamin D – boosts immune system and reduces inflammation
- Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant
(Source)
This is a pretty impressive list of benefits! But, in a nutshell, you could say that burning a mint smudge stick is a good way of reducing the chances of illness.
5. Enhances Focus and Concentration
This is another biggie where mint is concerned.
There is evidence that mint can help with mental focus and concentration, so could be really useful for students, those that work at home, or anyone with a big mental task they’re trying to perform.
The International Journal of Neuroscience conducted research that suggested that mint helps to:
- Enhance memory
- Increase alertness
- Increase processing speeds
As someone that spends a large part of the day writing, I particularly like to burn mint while crafting blogs.
6. Respiratory Health
There is evidence that mint can help to open up our airways.
Mint can potentially have some of the following breathing-based benefits:
- It is a decongestant
- It helps swollen linings in the nose and throat
- It can help ease breathing in those with some conditions
(Source)
This is a big one if you are either of a certain age or have existing allergies.
Warning – stop immediately if you experience any kind of allergic reaction to burning mint.
7. Repels Insects and Bugs
Here’s a bit more of a random one, that is particularly good if you hate bugs.
Mint has natural insect-repellent qualities!
The smell of mint is known to repel all of the following common bugs:
- Aphids
- Flea beetles
- Squash bugs
- Cabbage moths
- Ants
- Whiteflies
Out of all of this list, I’d say ants are a particularly tricky one to get rid of! But mint does the job admirably.
This is one of the reasons why mint smudge sticks can be a good choice for an outdoor gathering, such as a garden party.
8. Refreshes and Purifies Air
This really is what mint is most known for.
There’s a reason why most chewing gums are minty. It’s just a great way of freshening everything up!
Burning a mint smudge stick will help to refresh and purify the air. Get rid of grim odors, and welcome the fresh, minty smell dissipating around you.!
9. Promotes Better Sleep
There is evidence that mint is linked to a better quality of sleep.
If you’re using a smudge stick for this benefit, then it makes sense to burn it quite close to your bedtime. The aroma certainly does create a peaceful and relaxing environment.
How to Make a Mint Smudge Stick – A Step By Step Guide
Step 1 – Collect Mint Leaves
Mint is a really abundant herb in many countries. If you grow your own, then your sorted! If not, you could potentially buy either a small mint plant or just some leaves from the local store.
Step 2 – Tie The Bundle Together
Roll the leaves into a bundle about 6 to 8 inches long.
Then you want to tie the sausage-shaped bundle up with cotton string. Cotton string works well for this because it is flammable but not toxic when burned.
Wool is harder to burn, and manmade materials may emit toxic chemicals (so watch out! And preferably don’t use them!)
Wrap the string a few times around the end of the bundle and then twist it around the bundle down to the other end.
Twist it round that far end a few times, and then secure it.
Step 3 – Dry The Bundle Out
You need to find somewhere to store the smudge stick that is:
- Dry
- Relatively cool (at least not hot)
- Airy
Mint takes between 1 to 2 weeks to fully dry out. You only want to be burning dried mint leaves as they will burn much better.
4 Precautions When Using a Mint Smudge Stick
None of these are really rocket science, but let’s just go through them just in case!
1. Keep Away from Children and Pets
Just be careful! I know people that use smudge sticks in the vicinity of pets or children, and they’ve been completely fine.
Just be aware! And if they show any signs of allergies, stop straight away.
2. Use in a Well-Ventilated Area
You don’t have to go overboard, but it sometimes makes sense to open a window or door when you’re smudging.
3. Do Not Leave Unattended
Don’t start a fire while smudging!
Don’t leave it unattended, and you potentially might want to keep a bowl of water nearby.
4. Be Mindful of Fire Hazards
Don’t put your smudge stick too close to anything that might catch alight!
