White Sage, Not just for cookin’
Recently I purchased a White Sage native plant from our nursery for smudging. I must say this is a beautiful plant. Its soft white leaves glow incandescent in the moon light, and it is oh so fragrant. White Sage is considered a sacred plant by the North American Native Peoples and it is believed that when the power of the plant is released by burning, it can cleanse a space of evil spirits. I have my plant just outside of my bedroom window, just in case any malevolent forces try to enter there.
White Sage also has medicinal properties. Native Americans use the smoke as a remedy for colds, and would drop one seed into their eye and let it roll around under their eyelid to cleanse the ocular cavity (I am not a trained medical practitioner, but this sounds to me like something you probably shouldn’t try). Made into a tea it reduces sweating, salivation, and mucous secretions in the nose, throat and lungs. The tea also has a uterine hemostatic property for heavy menstruation, however it also decreases lactation, so I guess you could consider it a double edged sword.
I suggest everyone purchase a White Sage native plant from our nursery, because besides the facts that it smells divine (both growing and burned), and looks lovely, no one likes to be harassed by negative entities or heavy menstruation, two situations that the White Sage keeps at bay.
Tags: , Evil Spirits, menstruation, Native Americans, Native Plants, White Sage
October 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
How do you dry the leaves to make a smudge stick? Do you have directions on how to make one?
October 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Smudging itself does not refer to the tying of dried leaves together with the intent of burning, but cleansing an area with smoke. I myself just dry the leaves of the plant on an open dry area (like a porcelain bowl or a flat stone), not in the sun mind you, because it will dry too quick. It takes a couple days. Then I just bunt the dried leaves and stems on charcoal in a censer.
To make a smudge stick, some people suggest you tie together the leaves before letting them dry. I found a couple goos sites to create the smudge stick, take a look at these to get an idea on good method. Hope that helps!
http://www.henriettesherbal.com/archives/best/1995/smudge-sticks.html
http://www.altnature.com/thegarden/smudge.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2062835_make-sage-smudge-stick.html
October 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
What is the coldest temp it can realistically take (and survive, of course) in the winter? Love it, but hate to see it killed by the freeze. Otherwise I’d planted my whole yard in it …
October 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Sage is such a powerful herb. My grandfather who is native pechangan speaks very high of it. you can get free sage delivered from this site:
use the code PIZ355 to get the 5 dollar discount.
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=6746&at=0
October 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
White sage is USDA zone 9-10 – not very cold hearty. The lowest temperatures this plant can take are 20-25 F degrees. I have heard it is best to bring it into your greenhouse or inside the garage near a window with ample light during the winter months.