Liv' Life and Get Rid of that Negative Energy: The Ancient Practice of Smudging

The Ancient Practice of Smudging 

     I was first introduced to smudging in 2014/2015. That year a new friendship was budding and I was in a place where I was still growing into the person I wanted to be. I was enjoying the growth of this unexpected friendship. We shared life and career goals, we partied together, had meaningful deep convos and she had so much knowledge of African Spirituality which interest me. Our friendship grew so did my knowledge and connection to self. Now don’t get me wrong my parents did a great job of exposing me to my African-American history/culture and I grew even more prideful while attending Howard University but it was so much more out there to learn and connect with. 

What is Smudging?

Smudging is defined as an ancient spiritual practice to cleanse a space, invite positive energy and rid negative energy. To actually smudge a space, you must burn some type of plant or herb allowing the air to fill with smoke which will purify the air.

The most common and well known herbs and plants are 

1.     Sage (White and Blue sage are the most popular and known to kill bacteria in air and improving air quality.)

2.     Lavender

3.     Palo Santo

4.     Cedar

5.     Imphepho or African Sage 

Origins of Smudging?

     As I was researching the practice of smudging many sources trace it back to the Indigenous people of America also known as the Native Americans. Smudging was part of a spiritual ritual usually involving prayer to bring positive energy and rid the negative energy. It was also used for medical purposes purifying the body and space. 

Although traced to the Indigenous people of America there was very similar practices with ancient African spirituality. And where I believe smudging originated. Historically Shaman’s and Sangoma’s have been practicing smudging but didn’t use that terminology. The burning of plants and herbs would just be incorporated in the spiritual rituals. 

A Shaman is defined as a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits. 

A Sangoma is defined as highly respected healer among the Zulu people of South Africa who diagnoses, prescribes, and often performs the rituals to heal a person physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. 

     Sangoma’s are also found in other tribes of South Africa and similar to the ingigenous people, the burning of sage is used during healing and purifying rituals.     “They summon the ancestors by burning a plant called Imphepho, dancing, chanting, and most importantly playing drums. Sangomas are able to access advice and guidance from the ancestors for their patients in three ways: possession by an ancestor, or channelling; throwing bones; and interpreting dreams.” (derived from http://shamanportal.org/shamanism_african.php)

 Today burning sage is still incorporated in lives of South Africans. The video below talks about current day traditional healers. Many are professionals who have incorporated  healing into their everyday life like this Financial Executive of Johannesburg, South Africa who was interviewed by CNN in 2017.

Smudging and Religion/ Final Thoughts

     There is so much information on the ancient practice of smudging/sage burning and it can get very deep, which I will not go completely into today. Because of this some are afraid to burn sage or smudge feeling as it will directly clash with their religious beliefs. I disagree with that thought process because at the end of the day as long as you are confident in whoever you may pray to nothing can get in the way of that connection. There are some out there that I know will complete disagree with me. I myself follow the Christian religion and I did find articles posting bible verses that they claim translate to why Christians should not "smudge". I found it interesting because the Catholic Religion, which is very similar to the Christian religion (I know similar but NOT the same) do burn Frankincense. Frankincense is the dried sap of trees in the Boswellia Sacra and used during Mass. In the Catholic religion the smoke produced from the Frankincense symbolizes purification and  sanctification. Sound Familiar? In my opinion it is very possible to burn any of the herbs and plants mentioned above without getting too wrapped up in the ancestral origin practices unless you want to. Yes Smudging  originated from spiritual rituals and beliefs but it is also helpful in a time of COVID-19 where air purification is important. And Blocking negativity is ALWAYS important. Do your research sis (or bro) and make the right choice!

Disclaimer: This is an educational post based off of my experience, opinion  and research. Again do your research and make the right choice sis!

Liv' Life and get In Tune: The Lotus Egg

    

THE LOTUS EGG

      Getting in tune with yourself is an important part of Self-Care. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking time to get in tune with your body more specifically your Yoni (better known as the Vagina).  Woman should be able to touch themselves to satisfaction and feel when something is not right. There are many articles out there discussing the benefits of knowing your body and today I want to focus on the 💫Lotus Egg 💫.

     A Lotus Egg also known as a Yoni egg is crystal used to balance the body and a medical device for Kegel exercises. Most Lotus Eggs come in 3 sizes L, M, & S, beginners should start out with a Large size egg and work their way down. Some eggs are drilled allowing you to use a string to help for easier removal, also good for beginners. 

KEGEL EXERCISES

     Kegel exercises have been around since 1948 when Arnold Henry Kegel, an American Gynecologist started to publish his research on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises. Today Kegel exercises are widely discussed as ways to treat urinary stress incontinence and enhance the sexual experience for women and men. 

     Lotus Eggs are made to insert into your vagina to aid with exercising your walls, think of it as a lifting weights for your vagina. The most basic exercise is the Kegels while having the egg inserted. I usually keep my egg in during my regular exercise or during my work day but you can use your egg for as long as you want and when you want. I personally do not use one during my mensural cycle but there are experts who say is totally fine to do so. 

LOTUS EGGS AND CHAKRAS

     Being made from crystals the egg is directly connected to healing properties in addition to exercising the vagina walls.  Lotas eggs connect with your Chakras (CLICK LINK TO LEARN MORE). There are seven main Chakras and you will find certified Lotus egg have a direct connection with these seven. 

GREEN AVENTURINE LOTUS EGG

      I currently own the Large Green Aventurine Lotus Egg produced my NeNeFemHealth. 

(Derived from www.nenefemhealth.com)

This egg is connected to the Heart Chakra. The Green Aventurine emits a soothing energy that can bring comfort, provide protection of the heart, and attract love, luck, and success. Using this stone can help with inner harmony, balance, and emotional blockages.

Healing properties: help with fertility, inflammatory, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, migraines, and allergies

     Dreamers if you are looking for something to make you feel free and feminine I encourage you to do more research on Lotus eggs and its benefits. I encourage women to look more into the Chakras; I myself want to educate myself more on them. Yoni eggs will not only enhance your sex life but more importantly  it will help you become more in tune with yourself. 
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or an expert. This is an educational post based on my experience and what I have researched. Again do your research and make the right choice sis!

Liv' Life and Stay Fresh: NeNe Femhealth and Feminine Wash

The Backstory

     So, I mentioned in my last post that I had experienced a time period where I would get a yeast infection at least once a month. Now I went to my Gynecologist about this and he advised me on various possibilities such as my PH levels being off which could come from sex, my menstrual cycle, and even drinking too much water. He also explained to me it can come from tight clothes and even sweating to much down there causing moisture to build up. The list of possibilities got longer and I was over the uncertainty. I was a paranoid young adult experiencing something foreign with my body.  I went and got tested for STD’s because no one could narrow down the causes. After getting back my negative results for all STD’s I just accepted that I was just one of the unlucky women who would be prone to repeat yeast infections for the rest of my life. It wasn’t until I started to do more research and really look into a more natural way of life. I was blessed to have had people around me that had already started looking into natural alternatives so with a little bit of girl talk, Instagram algorithms, and internet research I figured out where to start. 

Finding Nerissa and NeNe Fem Health

     I started following @Nerissanefeteri on IG back in 2013/2014 but didn’t really look into her teachings about natural alternatives until well into 2017. That year I attended one of her YoniPoppin workshops in Miami and I have never looked back when it came to my Yoni and a toxic free life. The class was intimate and informative. Together we worked out our Yoni’s, meditated, talked as a group and gathered outside for a popup shop. 

NeNe Femhealth and the Products that Changed my Life

Vagina Therapy Feminine Wash (retrieved from nenefemhealth.com)

• Ingredients:  Rose Water, Coconut oil, aloe, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, calendula flower extract
• Free of Paraben, Sulfate, Phthalate, GMO, Mineral Oil, Propylene glycol, Dye, Artificial Fragrance, DEA, Cruelty, and Gluten
• Unscented 
• Certified Sustainable Plant Based ingredients

Lotus Fresh Feminine Wash (Retrived from nenefemhealth.com)

• Ingredients: Deionized Rose Water(Aqua), Soapberry (Sapindus Mukuross) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana( Witch Hazel) Extract, Decyl Glucoside ( plant derived, Apple Cider Vinegar, Melaleuca Alternafolia ( Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Calendula Officialis  ( Calendula Flower Extract, Colloidal Silver, Propanediol( made from corn)
• Colloidal silver: is a natural antibiotic that treats yeast infections, bacteria vaginosis and vaginal itching.
• Great to use after sex and during your cycle if you are prone to yeast, odor and bv 

       I first transitioned into using the Vagina Therapy Feminine Wash. This wash was made up of all ingredients you can find in the earth and not in lab. 

Once I started using this wash (and a combo of the Cherish Pads from my last article) my yeast infections started to happen less and less. I continued to use The Vagina Therapy with minimal infections. I then was introduced to the Lotus Fresh Feminine Wash. @Nerissanefeteri had posted a video of how woman can use both washes together or separate. The Lotus Fresh Feminine Wash was good to use after sex (helping to re balance that PH) or to prevent a full-on Yeast infection or BV (depending on how extreme your symptoms are).  I transitioned because it honestly helped me and my body and I liked the fact it was natural. It became really interesting when I looked at the label of a well known feminine wash brand and started to do the research. 

My Research

     Firstly, most of the ingredients sounded like a lab project. I looked up each ingredient and although I did not find much related to harmful connections when used in personal care I did find a lot of the same ingredients are used in foods and if ingested could cause harm to the body including cramps, nausea and even linked to cancer. I found also found online articles warning women against the use of feminine products in general and detailed tables comparing different brands and what to look out for.

Popular Feminine Wash Brand

• Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Lauryl Glucoside, cocamidopropl betaine, Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice, Polyquatenium-7, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance/Parfum

The ingredients that stood out / Links 

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: No direct link to it being harmful to the vagina but is known to be highly allogenic to some and dry out hair and skin. I connected “Sulfate” to my "natural hair lingo" encouraging women to use Sulfate Free Shampoo. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a chemical that removes dirt and oil and help with the lathering and foaming aspect to cosmetic products. 

• Sodium Benzoate- Manmade preservative. Mostly added to soda, packaged food and personal care products to prolong shelf life. There needs to be more research to link in it to health problems but in the food form are links to a possible agent to cancer. 
• Feminie Care Hall of Shame
• Women's Voices for the Earth                

     Back in 2017 I took a chance on a product that was all natural and it worked for me. Nene FemHealth has been my go to choice and has helped me not just accept an issue with my body and proof that there are alternatives. Thank you @Nerissanefeteri @summerof69 @mobbinwithmorg @valinda.m I continue to learn healthier ways of living from these ladies. Some changes are easy to transition to others are harder but what I can say is I'm incorporating and learning more each and every day. Do your research and make the right choice Sis!