<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Smudging is a ceremony practiced by some Indigenous peoples of the Americas, that involves the burning of sacred herbs, in some cases for spiritual cleansing or blessing . While the particulars of the ceremonies, and the herbs used can vary widely between tribes and nations, many use forms of sage (ex., common sage or white sage) and cedar that is local to their region . Not all Native American and First Nations cultures that burn herbs for ceremony call what they do, "smudging ." While using scent and scented smoke (such as incense) in religious and spiritual rites is an element common to many different cultures worldwide, the details and spiritual meanings are usually unique to the specific cultures in question . </P> <P> In some First Nations and Native American ceremonies, certain herbs are traditionally used to purify or bless people and places . For instance, some cultures use the smoke of burning red cedar as part of purification and healing ceremonies, and sometimes smudging is done in hospitals to "cleanse and repel evil influence ." However, the same herbs that are burned by one culture may be taboo to burn in another, or they may be used for a completely different purpose . When specific herbs are burned ceremonially, this may or may not be called "smudging," depending on the culture . Traditionally, when gathering herbs for ceremonial use, care is taken to determine the time of day, month, or year when the herbs should be collected; for example, at dawn or evening, at certain phases of the moon, or according to yearly cycles . Gertrude Allen, a Lumbee, reported that her father, an expert in healing with plants, stated that sage varies in potency at different times of the year . </P>

What does smudging mean in native american culture
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