Blue Sage also known as "Grandmother Sage” is a purifying herb with broad medicinal and magical applications. Add to Any Collection My Collection. He was referring to the local sage where he lived (which is now called Silver sage, and is a close cousin to Blue sage, of the artemisia family). The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only. This California coastal sage eventually becomes a dark color (especially in drought), which occurs after it blooms when stems and the flowers harden and turn black. White Sage is the bread and butter of any smudging kit. It allows them to heal better and prevents infection and the buildup of harmful bacteria. White sage is regarded as a sacred plant by the Chumash people. There are a variety of sages including pineapple sage, blue sage, and scarlet sage. The plant has been gathered for thousands of years by Native Americans, particularly the Chumash. Sage offers antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties to promote overall health and target emerging infections. Oddly enough was just thinking about this topic yesterday. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Copyright Policy and the family of Asteraceae.  They are a group of plants called. Try some and see! Note: Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata, also can go by the name "Blue Sage," but is not a member of the Salvia genus. Hardiness: 8 - 11 Sun: Full Sun . Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk. White sage, or Salvia apiana, seeds were used by Native Americans as food and to heal their eyes. For instance, you can diffuse the oil or create a white sage mist. Blue Sage is a bush found in the deserts of the Southwest. Let us know in the comments below. Carrying more of the Masculine/ Yang aspect, White Sage has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years for cleansing, purification, warding off evil spirits + negative energies. Do not use Common sage if you are pregnant or for long periods of time. White sage specifically has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years for cleansing, purification, warding off evil spirits, and negative energies.” After you set an intention [Editor’s Note: All three practitioners interviewed emphasized this] it’s up to … Leaf Group Ltd. and Jan 29, 2019 - Blue Sage vs. White Sage. Most of the White Sage on the market comes from California. It is somewhat confusing when discussing sages as there are many types of plants, some even unrelated, that are referred to as ‘sage’.  But, in reality, there are basically two types of groups that are referred to as “sage”: Part of the confusion stems from the similarity in both name and historical use.  Both groups of plants are commonly used for smudging, an ancient practice that is now being validated by modern science as a way to cleanse and purify spaces of bacteria and other pathogens. Sharon Therien has been writing professionally since 2007. A close relative of White Sage, Blue Sage is also good for healing and cleansing rituals.  It has a soothing and relaxing smell that is burned as a smudge. Salvia apiana (White Sage) Add to Collection. 1. Its soothing, relaxing smell can be used to aid meditation, or burned simply for enjoyment. Tea … (Other names: California Sage, Grandfather sage, Bee Sage, Sacred Sage)- White Sage grows in a bush clump, wild across the American Southwest. White sage has great properties for removing negativity, cleansing, and protection. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Unrelated to the flower Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). advertisements are served by third party advertising companies. Common sage, also known as Salvia officianalis, garden sage and kitchen sage, is used commonly to add flavor in cooking and for medicinal purposes. No, but it does seem to disperse patterns in energy, so it’s good for ‘cleansing’ homes and other places. Sign up for our newsletter and get the SCOOP on exclusive sales, tips and tricks, special events and classes . A Great property of Sage smoke it is beneficial to breathe as it has many antimicrobial properties. There are about 300 different types of Artemisias.  These plants have woody stems and are bushes (shrubs) with often irregularly shaped leaves.  Member include: (Other names: Sagebrush, Desert sage,  Desert sagebrush, Desert magic, Mountain sage, Grey sage, New Mexico sage, Sagebrush smudge, Big sage, Great Basin sagebrush).  This aromatic shrub thrives in drier areas of the mountainous West. I am newer than new to smudging. Note: for more information on the near extinction of white sage please click here. Terms of Use It has skinny, branched leaves with three lobes. Height: 3' - 5' (90cm – 150cm) Spread: 3' - 5' (90cm – 150cm) Fragrant: N/A Salvia azurea (Pitcher Sage) Add to Collection. Many a time, if someone has a bad reaction to sage, it is more the reluctance of the negative energies. For its cleansing and nerve tonic properties, the Lakota Indians nicknamed it “master herb.” 3. That’s why we created the following gi... Of all the activities that you, our homesteaders and natural living enthusiasts, like to engage in during these fall months, we’ve found something for everyone. The scent calms the mind and purifies the body. any of the products or services that are advertised on the web site. With the cold and flu season in full swing, we wanted to share with you a few herbal remedies that can aid in treating those more persistent symptoms. Note: for more information on the near extinction of white sage please. The plant has been gathered for thousands of years by Native Americans, particularly the Chumash. Thank you for the wildly insightful article! (Other names: Dakota sage, Man sage, Grandfather sage, Badlands Sage, Silver wormwood, Old man sage, Silver king, Western mugwort) Another Artemisia smudge, this one grows all over the badlands of South Dakota and out west and down south to Louisiana. And, of course, never eat a wild plant without first checking with a local expert. White Sage is renowned for its healing, benevolent energy. White sage - Salvia apiana (Other names: California Sage, Grandfather sage, Bee Sage, Sacred Sage)- White Sage grows in a bush clump, wild across the American Southwest. Most of the White Sage on the market comes from California. Sages, in turn, are members of the much larger mint family. Sage and Palo Santo are used for “smudging,” a practice that clears away all the energetic junk you may have gathered throughout your life to return you to a peaceful, harmonious state. It also grows in other Southwest regions of the US and Northern Mexico but its range is very small and often scattered. . What Is Sage? Sage is traditionally used in Native American medicine and shamanic practice. She specializes in health writing and copywriting for websites, blogs and businesses. However, the fragrance is usually less intense. You will often find sage bundled with other botanicals in a smudge stick. Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on May 30, 2018: Hi again, In answer to the queston, yes, my great-grandmother burned incense as well. Both Common sage and White sage are perennials. Privacy Policy In lieu of burning sage, you can employ smoke-free methods with white sage essential oil. It is used as a smudge for cleansing and purifying, protection, and inner strength. Botanically, it is much closer to actual culinary sage. This White sage also was used medicinally in tea, salves and other applications for the stomach, sinuses, headaches, sores, eczema and additional ailments. It is known as a sacred plant—and is used in food, medicine and smudging (smudging is mostly how it is used today).  When smudging white sage is used to deep cleanse a space of negative energy. Btw, you don’t have to use white sage to cleanse your home (it's your place, after all), but it is the herb most commonly associated with the practice, she says. The most common type grows to about two feet high and two feet wide. They both have grey-green leaves with hairs on them and purple flowers. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Genus Salvia L. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Plant Guide – White Sage Salvia Apiana Jepson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Plant Guide – White Sage, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Sage, PARTNER & LICENSEE OF THE LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION. White sage is a plant native to Southern California and parts of Baja California. Add to Any Collection White Sage has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years for cleansing, purifying ones self and others as well as an area of space through the technique of smudging.Rosemary is one of the oldest forms of incense. Store Hours:Sunday: 12:00-5:00Monday through Saturday: 11:00-6:00. White sage is probably the most well-known smudging herb. It also is used for skin ailments, such as sores, wounds and abscesses. diagnosis or treatment. Click the link in our bio to shop sage now. 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. Similar to Lavender, Lavender Sage is known for its calming, and relaxing effects. It is also possible to be allergic to sage. Well, I learned something today. Both White and Common sage are ingested and used medicinally. So when I was asked to test palo santo and sage smudging sticks for comparison, I had about a million questions for the Internet first.. Smudging, as I learned, is an ancient and sacred tradition that’s been integral to the spirituality of some indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest updates, news and product offers via email. Free shipping within the US on orders over $50! White sage is traditionally used by Native American and some Native Mexican people. White sage flowers are mostly white with hints of lavender, while garden sage flowers are usually purple or bluish-purple (although they can sometimes also be lavender or white). This group of plants belongs to the family of plants called Laminacea (or known as the mint family) and the genus of Salvia. It is said to bring pleasant thoughts and relieve headaches and anxiety.  This plant is used interchangeably with Artemisia californica. White sage smudging is when the leaves of the sage are burnt, and the smoke is focused on zones and spaces that need protection and clearing, such as your Aura. The white sage is a very different smell and plant. Comment below and tell us if you learned something new! Therien has a Master of Arts in sociology from Florida Atlantic University. It is also used as a diuretic and a stimulant. Season: Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter. White Sage is used in Native American smudging ceremonies to drive away bad energy, cleanse and purify. Sage is used for throat and mouth ailments, such as sores and laryngitis. Just like the White sage in the Salvia L. family, this type of White sage, also known as wormwood, white sagebrush, mugwort and other monikers, was in the past and is still burned in rituals to purify and cleanse. Let’s examine what this means and how this makes them so different. This process was used historically by Native Americans but has become popular in the New Age arena. However, it resembles Lavender (when in bloom) and has a similar flowery fragrance. The second group is in the genus of Artemisia and the family of Asteraceae.  They are a group of plants called sagebrush and grow throughout the world. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Mostly used for smudging black sage is used to encourage visions and vivid dreams. Sagebrush is my favorite for purification and protective smudges. Sage is a perennial, evergreen shrub with grayish-green leaves and a woody stem. White sage is a perennial evergreen herb that is primarily used to clean the air, improve the aroma and energy of a space, or it can be brewed as a tea for a variety of potential health benefits.. What is White Sage? I try to learn something new every day! (Other names: Clary, Europe Sage) Mostly this plant is used as an essential oil.  Long considered a "female's oil", clary sage is calming on the body and mind, and supports emotional and feminine functions. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner. This plant has a warm herbaceous aroma that it slightly peppery. There are about 300 different types of Artemisias.  These plants have woody stems and are bushes (shrubs) with often irregularly shaped leaves.  Member include: What is your favorite “sage or sagebrush”? Another plant goes by the same name of White sage. and grow throughout the world. There’s even a variety called Death Valley Sage (Salvia funereal). It should not be - #soulfulvibesco #smudging #bluesage #whitesage #cleansing #prosperity The use of this herb is ancient. White sage, or Salvia apicana is gathered in California and has a much more penetrating odor than the sage that we sell that is gathered here in the Black Hills. LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. In the Middle Ages, Sage earned the nickname “Sage the Savior” for its various treasured properties. Taken medicinally, both types of sage come with potential side effects, although sage is safe when used to flavor food. A close relative of White Sage, Blue Sage is also good for healing and cleansing rituals. Palo santo has a great smell, however, it’s a little bit more difficult to light and it only gets rid of the negative energy, leaving the positive energy around. Sagebrush is accessible in more of North America than the Salvia. Using White Sage. It has a pleasant long lasting aroma indoors that doesn't bother the neghbors. This genus contains many types of sage in additional to these two, including Clary sage, Lyreleaf sage, Mediterranean sage, Silver sage, Azure Blue sage and Purple sage. Clary sage oil also works well as a natural antiseptic agent. Sage, or Common Sage, is a potent essential oil composed primarily of ketones, while Clary Sage is mostly composed of esters. Another identifying feature of sage plants is their texture. (Other name: honey sage) - This California coastal sage eventually becomes a dark color (especially in drought), which occurs after it blooms when stems and the flowers harden and turn black. White sage is part of the larger sage family (Salvia) and is closely related to common sage (Salvia officinalis). Smudge sticks of this sage are burned as a way to cleanse and purify an area, though it is also possible to achieve this by anointing a white candle with sage oil and burning it, or sprinkling ground sage … Sage is the most popular choice because it is one of the most potent and effective cleansing tools. (Other names: Gray Sage, Purple Sage, Wild Lavender).