Last spring I grew a few herbal sage seeds right into the ground. I also grew one in a small container. It turns out the potted sage did much better. I didn’t realize this plant would make it pass our freezing nights. The pot must have kept the soil warm and thriving.
Once in a while I’ll use the leaves in soup or make tea with them. But just recently I was reading about smudging and found out about how sage is used for spiritual cleanings.
It’s believe since the ancient time that burning sage helps to chase out bad spirits or energies from a home or person. They are refer to as “Smudging ceremonies” and one does it when moving into a new home or space.
Mother Earth Living notes, “white sage’s healing powers have been traced through time and have impacted many different cultures, including the ancient Babylonians, ancient Greeks, the Chinese and a host of Native North and South American tribes who used white sage in their healing and prayer rituals.”
The process involves placing the bundled dried sage into a ceramic dish then light it for a few seconds until billows of smoke come up. Be sure to stop the flame as you only want the sage scented smoke (much like burning incense).
The ceremony uses White Sage but garden sage can also be used as a substitute. White Sage has white to silver looking narrow leaves and are seen growing in the mountains and deserts of California.
10:40 pm on April 28th, 2013
I’ve never used it before, and actually don’t know what it smell like. I guess the fuzzy leaves kind of scare me, I have to smell it the next time I’m in Lowes.
The Smudging ceremonies sounds interesting, I bet it would smell better than burning incense sticks for sure.
10:05 pm on May 3rd, 2013
The smell is interesting like mint and rosemary. The scent also reminds me of shiso leaves. Actually saw “pineapple sage” at Home Depot nursery and it did smell like pineapples.
Btw, this kind of fuzz is like peaches, not itchy at all. So no fear!