Herbs of the Month - White Sage

Around this time of year, I start to get a number of orders for white sage, sweetgrass braids, our desert sage with lavender, desert sage with juniper and sweetgrass smudge sticks.  I have people looking to bless a new home, starting construction in their home and a few that have gone over seas to our service men/women.

White sage (Salvia apiana). White sage is an herb that is used as a anti-inflammatory, used in tea or tincture form. A tincture has a very nice scent and can be used as a perfume, if desired.  It can be made into a tea, which decreases sweating, salivation, and mucous secretions in the sinuses, throat, and lungs. Cold tea can be a good stomach tonic, while a lukewarm tea is good for treating sore throats.

Native Americans use the plant in a sweathouses as a remedy for colds.  The leaves when crushed and mixed with water, you can create a hair shampoo or rinse.

This variety is the famous white sage of smudge sticks, a type of incense.  White sage is believed to cleanse the area of negative vibes.  Today many Native American tribes still use the stems and leaves for smudging as part of purification ceremonies by burning the leaves that are bundled into a wand or stick form.

When smudging:
     Identify the area of negativity. This could be a room, office or outdoor area. You may feel as though the negative energy is within you.
     Use a match to burn a small portion of bundled white sage.
     Hold the sage near yourself and fan the smoke to your body or that of another person.
     Walk around the room, object or area holding the sage. Start with the door and continue around the perimeters of the room, including the center of the room.
     Fan the smoldering sage in four directions and ask out loud for blessings and protection. Press the sage on a rock or other non-flammable material to make it go out.  I usually have a terracotta plant dish which is fine to use.

 

As an re-enactor, I usually smudge the inside of our tent, not only for the fragrance, but it helps keep mosquitoes away.  When you smudge the inside of your tent, lightly smudge it and NEVER leave it unattended.  Make sure it is completely out and in an appropriate container. White sage is also used in combination with other aromatic herbs to repel ants and other insects--either as a powder for dusting, or as a spray. 

 

May you have many blessings throughout the year.