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.
Where is most sage grown?
The plant is cultivated and collected from the wild in Yugoslavia, Albania, Turkey, Italy, Greece, the United States, Spain, and Crete (11.1-128). The reported life zone of sage is 5 to 26 degrees centigrade with an annual precipitation of 0.3 to 2.6 meters and a soil pH of 4.2 to 8.3 (4.1-31).
Where is wild sage found?
It is native to Baja California, and California as far north as San Diego County, where it is a member of the coastal sage scrub plant community. This is a thickly branching shrub exceeding 3 meters in maximum height.
Does sage grow naturally?
Sage is an attractive culinary herb. Salvia officinalis is an aromatic, rather woody perennial shrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the shores of the northern Mediterranean. Its common names include culinary sage, common garden sage, or garden sage.
Can sage grow wild?
The white sage plant (Salvia apiana Jeps.) It grows wild and may be picked in certain areas of the Golden State.
What was sage originally used for?
The ancient Greeks and Romans first used sage as a meat preservative. They also believe it could enhance memory (Rogers,2014). English herbalists believed that the state of sage in the garden determined how well a business would prosper.
Is it safe to eat sage leaves?
Sage can be eaten whole or ground. Adding sage to a dish is a great way to enhance flavor without adding extra calories or salt. The herb often pairs well with poultry and pork. Sage is often used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics due to its pleasant aroma.
Is it disrespectful to burn 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 Sagebrush the same as sage?
It’s not a sage.
In this case sage, or Salvia, is an herb used as a spice and for its medicinal properties, and it’s a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae, to botanists). But sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, is in another family altogether, the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Which state has the most sagebrush?
Nevada
Besides practical uses, sagebrush has a symbolic value, especially in Nevada, where it covers most of the State. Sagebrush is the official state plant, is featured on the state flag, and is even mentioned in the state song.
Is sage poisonous?
However, sage is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses or for a long time. Some species of sage, such as common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain a chemical called thujone. Thujone can be poisonous if you get enough. This chemical can cause seizures and damage to the liver and nervous systems.
Why do people burn sage?
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 part of sage do you eat?
leaves
However, most of the sage that you eat consists of silvery green, elliptical leaves with a minute layer of down on the underside. You can buy it either dried or fresh, though it is never actually eaten raw. Flavor: Sage is extremely fragrant and has a savory, peppery taste that perfectly accents creamy or meaty dishes.
Is it disrespectful to grow white sage?
Not only is that ecologically problematic, but it’s also considered disrespectful; many California Indians hold that white sage is supposed to be a gift, not a commodity that’s bought and sold.
How long does a sage plant live?
How long does sage last? As long as properly cared for, harvested and pruned every season, your sage plant can last you many years. Some have found that their plants get more and more woody as the years go by, and that by year 3, the plant is no longer as productive or flavorful.
Why is white sage sacred?
White sage is burned for meditation, smudging and cleansing of spirit and dwelling. In some beliefs, white sage smoke is believed to provide a barrier that prevents negative spirits from entering the room in which the ceremony is being held.
How do you burn sage respectfully?
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.
What is the most spiritual plant?
Seven of the most sacred plants in the world
- Lotus Flower. Jahnavi Harrison explains how the lotus is a plant that, for those educated in an eastern spiritual context, evokes layers of meaning and narrative.
- Mistletoe.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum)
- Peyote.
- Yew Tree.
- Marijuana.
- Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Why is sage a sacred herb?
The use of sage is for healing. The smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. Sage is used to ‘wash off’ the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred space. Objects are likewise washed off with sage medicine smoke to rid them of unwanted influences.
Can you eat fresh sage Raw?
Sage is primarily used as a flavoring for fatty meats, sausages, beans and vegetables. The herb is rarely, if ever, used raw, because its aroma and flavor is best released when cooked (plus the herb is a little bit too pungent to be consumed raw).
Does sage make you sleepy?
Sage might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking sage with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.