Have you ever seen someone burn a rustic-looking bundle of dried herbs to cleanse their new home orwork space? Well, that herb was most likely white sage. Though some people may find this practice alittle odd, burning sacred herbs as a safeguard against evil or negative energy actually dates centuries back to ancient Babylonian practices. In most recent history, Native Americans continued this ritual throughout North and South America and burnt this culturally-sacred herb to ward off negative energy and rid their homes and temples of bad spirits. The botanical word for sage, ‘Salvia,’ actually comes fromthe Latin words, meaning “to heal,” and its medicinal properties as well as its natural ability to repel insects (like ladybugs), is probably at the root of its mystical history.

An Influential History

Historically, white sage’s healing powers have been traced through time and have impacted many different cultures including the Babylonians, ancient Greeks, the Chinese, and a host of Native North and South American tribes who used white sage in their healing and prayer rituals. Used for everything from curing headaches, sores, and snakebites, to attaining mystical foresight and thwarting bad spirits, white sage is an extremely culturally valuable herb.

White Sage – Wonder Drug?

In more modern medicinal applications, white sage has been studied for its ability to aid the body in managing insulin levels, which could prove to be helpful for diabetics. White sage possesses antibacterial and decongestant agents that are scientifically proven to help treat strep throat, reduce mucus secretion in the respiratory system, as well as inhibit coughing and generally boost the immune system. The USDA has even approved white sage as a legitimate treatment for eczema and other skin afflictions, after extensive tests have proved that the antibacterial properties of this “wonder” herb have lessened the symptoms of outbreaks. When made into a tea, white sage acts as a soothing, natural cure for stomach indigestion and sore throats, and may reduce sweating induced by fever. It has also shown to lessen the painful effects of heavy menstruation, but should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers as it can also decrease lactation production.

Culinary and Cultural Significance

Though not as commonly used as garden sage for cooking, white sage can also be used as a culinary herb. Used in many of the same ways to flavor dishes as garden sage, as in lamb, stews, and breads, white sage lends a savory flavor to your favorite dish. Also significant in desert areas, like the southwestern United States, animals use this heat-loving herb as their home-sweet-home, allowing for small game to breed and become plentiful for tribes who once relied on them as a primary source of food. This is another reason why white sage is so integral to the Native American culture in particular, as it was not only a component that flavored their food, but also housed it and helped it remain in large quantities. Heat loving and water conserving, sage also created essential oases in desert areas, and many Native American tribes were known to chew the leaves to fight heatstroke.

White Sage For Cleansing

If you plan to use white sage as a smudge stick or to smolder for cleansing, makes sure you harvest the leaves in the late summer through early fall. Spread them out to dry slightly, allowing them to wilt until the leaves become leathery feeling. Then, bind them together with string and hang in a moisture-free place to continue drying. This will ensure that your white sage smudge stick lasts longer (up to two years) and will burn slower. When you are ready to cleanse your area using your smudge stick, simply light the end so that it glows, much like a cigar, and slowly walk through each room, letting the smoke coil and dissipate throughout the area. Many people chant or pray, but the message is usually pretty similar: out with the old and in with the new!

Growing Tips

Whether you are growing white sage to spice up your rack of lamb or to cleanse the energy of previous tenants from your home, this beautiful, silvery herb is a lovely attraction in the garden. Culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and culturally important, it is a versatile and very beneficial herb to have close at hand. When you plant your white sage, don’t forget that it thrives in full sun, so plant on a south facing side of your garden to maximize its daily sunlight. You can also pot your white sage and overwinter it indoors to extend its growing season. Make sure it has good, well-drained soil, a sunny spot inside and that you pinch it back regularly to encourage healthier, fuller foliage—doing this will allow you to enjoy this dynamic herb for much longer!

About The Author

Briscoe White is owner and master grower at The Growers Exchange, an all-natural online garden center that specializes in rare and traditional herbs for culinary, aromatic, and medicinal use. He has been in business for over twenty years, but his love of nature and gardening date back ever since he can remember. Member of many garden and nature-related organizations including the Garden Writers Association, when not tending his greenhouse or writing for his blog, Briscoe’s Seeds For Thought, he spends what little free time he has planning his next garden and playing with his dogs on his family farm in Charles City, Virginia.