Homegrown Herbs You Should Try Burning In Your Home

The act of burning herbs in your home is also referred to as smudging. It's used as a way to cleanse the air and release everything from bad energies to microbes. Some herbs will chase bugs out of your house, and some will help you feel calm and refreshed. A study published by the National Library of Medicine has shown that the smoke from some medicinal herbs can remove airborne bacteria. Burning incense can get rid of some insects, so creating your own fresh herbal incense offers a more unique way to battle bugs. Growing herbs at home for drying and burning ensures you know what chemicals were on them (which should be none to ensure safe breathing).

When it comes to burning dried herbs, many, such as sage, can be rolled into smudge sticks and dried. Otherwise, you can hang dry your herbs and then use dried leaves and stems in a heat-resistant dish. Some herbs are effective when combined in a mixture to help address multiple problems, such as burning sage for cleansing, paired with lavender for relaxation. If you're burning your herbs in a dish, you will also want charcoal discs to make burning easier. Adding a little bit of salt or sand to the bottom of the dish, whether you're using charcoal or not, will help absorb some of the heat so your container doesn't get too hot. Always follow the general safety rules for candles when burning sage — don't leave it unattended while burning, and be sure to keep it in a safe place out of reach of pets and children.

Sage is one of the most popular herbs you may hear about burning. There are multiple types of sage, but even common sage, which is used in cooking, can be dried and bundled to burn. White sage is what you'll commonly find if you buy bundles pre-made. Sage is a hardy plant that is harvestable throughout the year. Grow it indoors, in your greenhouse, or plant it in your garden in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8. Once you've harvested your sage, you can bundle it and let it dry or hang it individually and crumble it into incense mixtures.

Sweet and woodsy, burning rosemary can be a great way to introduce calming energies into your environment. Some say that they feel mental clarity when burning rosemary, so it's worthwhile to test out some rosemary incense on days you need to be focused and open-minded. Additionally, it serves as a handy insect repellent. Even without burning it, rosemary helps keep some insects out of your garden while it's growing, including slugs, flies, and moths. Rosemary thrives in home gardens or raised beds and does best in zones 8 to 11. Once your plants are established, you'll want to harvest stem clippings often. 

If you're longing for peace and relaxation, burning some lavender in your home could help. Lavender is a stress reliever and is helpful when battling migraines. If you're experiencing insomnia, burn some lavender before you go to sleep — the scent may help you drift off. It's not hard to transform lavender from your garden into incense. It grows in zones 5 through 11, but it is also an excellent choice for indoor cultivation. Harvest anytime a flower stalk is full of buds and blooming.

Sweetgrass is typically used to bring in positive energy after you've burned sage to release any negative energy; it can also chase off bugs. While this is an herb that is sacred to Native American culture, you can grow your own sweetgrass. Start your sweetgrass from seeds or plugs in the spring and then harvest in June or July. It does best in zones 4 to 8. When harvesting the grass, leave about two inches of growth remaining. To traditionally dry your sweetgrass for burning, braid a handful of pieces and then lay them out to dry.

Mugwort is believed to induce prophetic dreams, but burning this herb in your home offers additional benefits, including healing and cleansing. Mugwort is best suited for growing in zones 3 to 8. They do need cold stratification before planting, so they take a little extra work. Before you start growing some, do a quick check to see if you might have some mugwort growing in your lawn. Harvest mugwort blooms by cutting about a third of the way down from the top, then hang-dry the cuttings to use for future incense.

Burning rose petals in your home releases a sweet, floral fragrance that can evoke a romantic atmosphere. When it comes to growing roses, you have all sorts of options — consider using color psychology along with your rose incense burning by choosing things like yellow to warm friendships or red to inspire passion. As for the best zones to grow roses, ideally, you want to be in zones 5 through 8. However, zone 4 is acceptable if you're prepared to provide special care during the colder months. The best place to plant roses is in a sunny spot.

Bay leaves contain the chemical linalool, which is said to help relieve stress and induce relaxation. They are harvested from bay laurel bushes, which can be grown both indoors and outdoors, performing best in zones 7 to 10. They thrive best in pots, allowing you to move them indoors in the winter — but be aware that they are toxic to dogs and cats. Once your bay leaf bush is established, you can remove leaves to dry as needed, but never entirely strip the bush.

Because of its ability to bring peace and harmony to the atmosphere, dill is sometimes referred to as the "Peace Herb," and here you thought it just made pickles taste great. Using this herb to burn around your home could also bring about prosperity and abundance (which could have something to do with the color psychology of green). Dill isn't picky about the soil in which it is planted, and it does well in indoor herb gardens. Plant it outside as an annual in zones 2 to 11. 

Ever notice the rush you get when you smell some fresh mint? If your mind or spirit needs a boost, opt for mint. Burning dried peppermint not only boosts your mood but also keeps insects at bay, whether you're burning it or growing it in your garden. Grow peppermint in zones 5 through 9, but be sure to keep it under control, as it can spread quickly. Growing mint indoors will give you an endless supply. Once your plant reaches 4 inches in height, you can start harvesting leaves to dry for incense. 

You can burn basil to repel mosquitoes with a refreshing scent that is slightly woody and fresh. It's been used to banish bad energy and spirits from homes. If you want to grow basil at home to use for incense, opt for sweet basil. Basil thrives in zones 2 through 11 and can also be grown indoors. Once your plant is established, you can prune leaves from it every couple of weeks. Dry them to use in incense mixtures or to keep those buzzing mosquitoes away.

If negative energy feels like it's weighing down your room, lemon balm could help. The scent can also boost confidence. Perhaps using lemon balm as a pre-bedtime incense will help you sleep better, allowing you to feel more confident and motivated when you get up in the morning. This citrusy plant can also help keep spiders away. It grows in zones 4 through 10, and it does well indoors. Harvest when your plant is at least 2 inches tall. You can pop leaves off to dry for incense whenever you need them.