- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Southern California and Baja California
North America · Herb · № 823
Salvia apiana
Herb · North America
White sage
Salvia apiana
An aromatic sage burned in ceremonies by Indigenous peoples of California.
Safety notes
Demand for smudge sticks is leading to overharvesting of wild white sage. Prefer other herbs or cultivated sage.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Overharvested in the wild; buy only cultivated sage.
Preparation
Dried leaves are burned.
Use in traditions
Sacred to indigenous peoples of California, such as the Chumash, Cahuilla and Kumeyaay, who burn the leaves in purification ceremonies, drink them as tea for colds and use them in sweat lodges. Because of the popularity of 'smudge sticks' the plant is overharvested in the wild; indigenous communities ask for respect and restraint.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
Burned in purification ceremonies, as tea for colds and sore throat, and in sweat lodges.
Preparation and amount
Dried leaves burned; as tea in small amounts.
Caution: Overharvested in the wild; buy only cultivated sage.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)