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According to Dr. Kevin Curran, cell biologist at the University of San Diego, “White sage has become well known as an incense to burn for spiritual purposes. Leaves are picked and then rolled into a ‘smudge stick ‘. This stick is then burned to purify one’s body or home. This ceremonial use is reminiscent of the manner white sage was used by the original settlers of California.”
White sage has been used as a purifying herb for 1000’s of years by indigenous peoples. It grows wild across the western United States and is readily available. Not only has this versatile herb been used as a purifying tool, but it has been made into herbal tea and drank to rid people of internal infections, and other illnesses. A member of the mint family, a tea made of sage calms various digestive ailments from flatulence to upset stomach to intestinal viruses. The leaves can be chewed and eaten for the same affect. Although, white sage can be used in cooking, it’s not as versatile in food as ordinary culinary sage.
In 1991, researchers at the University of Arizona, documented the antibacterial effects of sage. They found sage limited the growth of multiple bacteria species like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida, and others. That is one impressive plant! It stands to reason then, that the smoke of the sage plant could be used to purify not only yourself but also your spaces and anything it touches. Native Americans would also use sage in their sweat lodges where sick people would spend hours to heal and recuperate. Tossing a white sage leaf onto the hot rocks or coals in the lodge produced a smoke that when inhaled, helped the ill person get better.
Sage leaves have been and still are used as a food staple for some tribes. The Cahuilla tribe collected the seeds and mixed them with flour made of from wheat and sugar to make biscuits and gruel. Seeds are usually collected from the end of summer to mid-autumn, dried in the sun and then used in various traditional recipes.
Because of the strong and stable aroma that white sage produces, it has also been used as part of native people’s hygiene. Simply placing crushed leaves in the arm pits was enough to ward off bad body odor. During hunting season tribes would burn sage bushes and smoke the whole place up and dance in the smoke which clung strongly to their skin. Then when it was time to go hunt, their human scent would be masked.
As, you can see, white sage has a deep and varied history. When we look closer, we begin to see the deeper origins and how the traditional uses have translated into our current understanding of the plant. With so many daily and ritual uses, it’s no wonder white sage has moved into mainstream culture as an invaluable herb.
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