White sage is native to the southwest and prefers dry, almost desert conditions, while garden sage is native to the Mediterranean and Spain and needs regular watering (not drought tolerant).
What is wild sage used for?
Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have burned sage for centuries as part of a spiritual ritual to cleanse a person or space, and to promote healing and wisdom. It’s been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Romans to treat digestive issues, memory problems, and sore throats.
What is another name for white sage?
Salvia apiana, the white sage, bee sage, or sacred sage is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
What type of sage is used for cleansing?
White sage is probably the most common and popular herb for smudging. It is associated with purity and has a strong and heavy presence. It’s definitely useful for when you need a major space cleansing.
Can you use wild sage for smudging?
Garden or common sage will do the trick, too. Other smudging plants to use include cedar, sweetgrass, and sagebrush. Various herbs and wildflowers make as wonderful additions to your smudge stick. Resinous herbs you may have laying around that you can use include thyme, yarrow, lavender, rosemary, and pine.
Why you shouldn’t use white sage?
Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to “smudge” their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and prayer — simply, it’s cultural appropriation.
Is Wild sage poisonous?
But sage is possibly unsafe when taken in high doses or for a long time. Some species of sage, including common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain a chemical called thujone. Too much thujone can cause seizures and damage the liver and nervous system.
Where can I find wild sage?
Wild Sage or Buttonsage is found naturally along the coast from the Florida Keys to Brevard County. It is also found in the West Indies and Puerto Rico. This light silvery colored shrub is tolerant of salt air and drought and likes moderately fertile, sandy soil that doesn’t flood.
What does white sage look like in the wild?
White sage, bee sage, or sacred sage, is a cornerstone species of the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California. White sage is fragrant, with silver-white leaves, and clusters of white flowers with lavender streaks. Young leaves start off green and turn white as they get older.
What kind of sage do you burn to cleanse your home?
White sage
White sage is the most common variety you’ll find in a smudge stick, since the color is associated with purity. However, other dried plants such as juniper, rosemary, and cedar can also be used to clear energy if sage isn’t your thing.
What to say when you sage your house?
Hello, my name is ___; I am moving into this space. I want to thank all of the land stewards and spirits of the land. I want to acknowledge the first people of the land. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present.
How do you sage a house with negative energy?
How to smudge your living space, an object, and more
- Light the end of a sage bundle with a match.
- The tips of the leaves should smolder slowly, releasing thick smoke.
- Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on.
- Allow the ash to collect in a ceramic bowl or shell.
Are there different types of white sage?
Two kinds of fragrant, drought-resistant plants are known as White Sage — Salvia apiana and Artemisia ludoviciana. Whereas Salvia apiana is a member of the mint-family (Laminaceae) that is only native to California and Baja, Mexico, Artemisia ludoviciana is part of the aster family (Asteraceae).
Is Wild white sage edible?
The leaves can be used fresh to season meats, seafood, and vegetables, or they can be incorporated into soups and stews. White sage can also be finely chopped and baked into bread, cooked into sauces for added flavoring, or used to flavor desserts.
What did Indians use white sage for?
Smoke from white sage (Artemesia califoncia) is used for purification of mind, body and spirit and sacred articles in advance of prayers and ceremonies. White sage is burned for meditation, smudging and cleansing of spirit and dwelling.
Can you use any type of sage for smudging?
“The type of sage you want to buy is called ‘California White Sage’ or ‘White Sage Smudge Stick. ‘ Do not use the regular old sage in your kitchen. You want to buy high-quality, ethically cultivated sage. Shamans Market or Taos Herb are both great places to shop.
What can I burn instead of white sage?
Alternatives to White Sage for Smudging
- Black sage.
- Garden sage.
- Wormwood (this is my go-to, since it’s so abundant where I live)
- Cedar.
- Pine.
- Holy basil.
- Mints.
- Rosemary.
Can non natives smudge?
As long as you’re respectful, we firmly believe that smudging and use of other sacred medicines is perfectly acceptable for those who do not come from Indigenous culture.
Is white sage poisonous?
White sage contains a toxic compound known as thujone. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this compound increases your heart rate and causes mental confusion. It also leads to vomiting, restlessness and kidney complications. Hence, you should exercise caution when using white sage.
Are all sage plants edible?
Not all sage is edible. Some varieties are purely ornamental, but they tend to be wonderful for pollinator gardens. If you need to entice bees to come pollinate other plants, adding one of these inedible sages may do the trick.
Is white sage toxic to dogs?
Unlike some herbs which can cause digestive upset in large doses, sage is recognized by the ASPCA as being non-toxic for dogs. You should still limit your dog’s intake to a few leaves a day, but there’s no danger of poisoning.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.