The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum

Much to my chagrin I am allergic to the common smudge options of sage, cedars, juniper, and lavender. With sage and cedar it is an anaphylactic response, the others are tactile and nasal. Any suggestions for alternatives that won't prompt my body to freak out? I have more allergies, but those are the biggest culprits. Go figure.

 
Do you react allergically to palo santo wood too? I think it comes from Ecuador.

Have you tried stepping back and thinking about why you are smudging and what could be used to evoke that goal?

For example: for me, the smell of the dryer sheets that my mother used in the laundry evokes a feeling of clean and well-being, and not too long ago I actually found a perfume that smells exactly the same.  Were I to cleanse a space, I might put a drop or two of it in a spray bottle with water and use that rather than something that has no personal meaning for me, or something I can't tolerate.

Just my $0.02.  YMMV.

 
I love the idea of using perfume that reminds you of a safe time!  I was going to suggest some kind of water based spray as well, either with herbs or oils that speak to you of cleansing.

There are a lot of ways to clear a space.  I have made passes with a candle, used a fan (the folding kind, mine is made of sandalwood so there is a slight scent), used a smudging fan (no incense, just the fan), sprinkling salt, or even a branch of a tree/plant you find sacred dipped in blessed water.  I think smudging is the 'in' thing right now, it's getting a lot of attention, but it is definitely not the only way to cleanse an area.

I'm sure there are other purifying herbs around. Hyssop comes to mind, though I think that's more a Biblical thing? I don't work much with herbs myself, but other folks around here are sure to know more.

 
Hyssop is also a standard magical one.

The other one I'd suggest considering is rosemary - one of my favourite cleansing things with objects (rather than with sound, which I also use a lot) is salt water flicked all over the place with an asperger made from a couple of rosemary sprigs tied with ribbon or yarn.

(An asperger is basically the name for 'that thing you used to flick water all over the place with. It's possible to use your fingers, too, and in that case, I'd do a little salt water + maybe a drop or two of essential oil from something that's well tolerated.)

Do you react allergically to palo santo wood too? I think it comes from Ecuador.

 
I was going to suggest Palo Santo wood as well, since I kind of love it. Plus, I've received strong messages from my altar that deities and spirits are not a fan of white sage smoke - it's an irritant to them, apparently.

I know some people use Peaceful Home powder as well - you can buy it online.

I'd suggest cleansing with sound, such as ringing bells, cymbals, gongs, or running a wet fingertip against a wineglass.

 
I've found bells (or a brass singing bowl) to be the most effective method for me.

Much to my chagrin I am allergic to the common smudge options of sage, cedars, juniper, and lavender. With sage and cedar it is an anaphylactic response, the others are tactile and nasal. Any suggestions for alternatives that won't prompt my body to freak out? I have more allergies, but those are the biggest culprits. Go figure.

 
Another herb to try for smoke cleansing is rosemary (I'm a fan because I grow a few Arp upright shrubs and it's so easy to dry & make wands etc from it). Have mixed it with mugwort too for quite a powerful but pleasant blend.

Not sure how your allergies will handle it, but if you're super keen on smoke cleansing, might be worth a shot?

Much to my chagrin I am allergic to the common smudge options of sage, cedars, juniper, and lavender. With sage and cedar it is an anaphylactic response, the others are tactile and nasal. Any suggestions for alternatives that won't prompt my body to freak out? I have more allergies, but those are the biggest culprits. Go figure.

 
I personally love Palo Santo over any other smudging alternative.  I also love the idea of just using a fan, as well as smudging with sound.  This is the first time I hear about it, and I believe will work in nicely with my craft since I use music in my craft.