In Native American and other magical and spiritual traditions, sweet gum balls, also known as witch's burrs, are used for protection, banishing, and abundance. 
They are considered a powerful protection amulet.
How To Use Witches Burrs
There are many ways to use witches burrs in spiritual and magickal practices, including:
1. Talismans and Amulets: Witches burrs can be carried on the person as a talisman or amulet to provide protection, attract prosperity and abundance, or enhance love and passion.
2. Spell work: Witches burrs can be used in spell work to attract good luck and prosperity, protect against negative energy and curses, and promote healing. Add them to spells for extra power. Use them in spells and charms to break hexes or curses. Add a witches burr to a witch bottle. Dress them with oils and herbs and place them on the path of a love interest as a love spell. Powder them and make them into a hot foot spell. Use them in a spell to inspire someone to repay a debt.
3. Sachets and Charm Bags: Witches burrs can be placed in a sachet or charm bag with other herbs and crystals to create a powerful talisman for protection, love, or prosperity. Place them in a spirit bag or carry them in a mojo bag.
4. Altar Decorations: Witches burrs can be used to decorate an altar, providing a powerful symbol of protection and abundance. Place them on their altar to dispel unsupportive forces, keep unwanted guests away or for good luck. Place them on an altar to raise the power of any altar workings. 
5. Bath and Body Products: Witches burrs can be added to bath salts, oils, or other body products to promote healing and relaxation.
6. Home Decorations: Witches burrs can be used to decorate the home, providing a powerful symbol of protection and abundance. Place a witches burr over each doorway and window sill as a charm against negative energy and to attract good forces. Add them to a wreath or wind chime.
7. Cleansing Rituals: Witches burrs can be used in cleansing rituals to remove negative energy from a person or space. Burn them in a cauldron as part of a ritual.
8. Fertility and Childbirth: In some cultures, witches burrs are believed to promote fertility and healthy childbirth.
9. Protection: Ground Witches burrs can be added to black salt for increased protection in circle casting. Or used in rituals for protection. They can be placed in the car or hung from the rear vision mirror. Burn them in a ritual fire for protection.
10. Stuffed Burs: Press herbs, ash, crystals, blood, knots, spells or affirmations written on paper and other ingredients into the spikes of the witches burr. They can be sealed with wax for long-term protection.
11. Talismans: Make them into talismans for wealth, prosperity and fertility.
12. Communing: Use them to create a magickal gateway for mediumship, communing with the dead or spirit world.
13. Charging: Use them to charge other magickal tools, amulets or items.
14. Offerings: Use them as an offering. And because they are 100% natural, they can be safely buried, burnt, or placed in a body of water.