Many Uses Of White Sage
Native American women used the thick leaves as sanitary napkins. The plant also makes a non-lathering shampoo and rinse that leaves the hair soft and beautiful (I will encourage the use of white sage as shampoo!) Native Americans made the leaves into smudge sticks and burned them during prayer and ceremonies. Unfortunately, many businesses sell the smudge sticks for profit, an act discouraged by Native American elders.
The seeds--a staple food of Native Americans--were ground into flour, and the young shoots were eaten as greens. The leaves can be brewed into a beverage tea. Aside from culinary usage, white sage was used in combination with other aromatic herbs to repel ants and other insects--either as a powder for dusting, or as a spray. White sage is best for smudging, but other sages have broader application as spice and medicine.
Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is the most universally useful sage. Pick the leaves before the plant goes to flower and dry thoroughly on screens. Then, rub the leaves through a screen to produce the fluffy, ground sage that makes such a savory addition to roasted fowl or protein dishes. Garden sage is also a valuable antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral agent.
Taken internally or gargled in the form of tea or diluted tincture, the garden sage will fight infection and will also diminish secretions of all kinds, including perspiration and saliva. Garden sage is also a specific for drying up milk production during weaning. The herb stimulates memory. For more information on the preparation and use of sage in home herbal medicine. Back