The purpose of burning sage differs slightly from the reasons for taking it internally. The burning of sage is a historical spiritual ritual also known as smudging.

Poor air quality may be linked to various health conditions. In this way, burning sage is seen as a cost-effective way to purify the air (to an extent). This is because sage is thought to have antimicrobial properties that help kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. That being said, it's important to keep in mind that burning sage will create smoke, which can cause health problems for individuals who are prone to asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Just as with taking sage internally, Some practitioners of alternative medicine believe that burning sage can help to release so-called "negative energy". In addition to burning sage, some people use a cleansing spray in their homes.

Some of the purported benefits of burning sage include the following.

• removing bacteria from the air
• repelling insects
• improving intuition
• purifying specific objects
• improving mood and reducing stress and anxiety