White sage, sacred plant of the American Indians

White sage, Salvia apiana, grows like a triffid in my garden. Nothing has seemed to knock it back and it appears to be thriving on neglect. It's growing in full sun in a spot that gets frost and drought. It is a US native and grows well in dry, sunny California. It is currently about 2m tall and starting to flower, much to the delight of the pollinators. It has soft grey leaves and small white flowers. I love the herby scent when I brush past it in the garden.

It has a long history of use in Native American cultures and is considered a sacred herb. Perhaps it is best known in Western cultures for smudging. It is considered by many to cleanse and purify the air spiritually when burned, creating calmness.

How can we use white sage medicinally?

🌱There is emerging evidence to show that it may help prevent cognitive decline.

🌱Sipping a tea made from white sage may support the lungs when you have the ills and chills due to some of the constituents and its antimocrobial actions.

🌱It has antiinflammatory properties which may support the body to reduce pain including arthritis and muscle pain.

🌱For an upset tummy of indigestion, some white sage tea after a meal may be soothing.

For me, it's a nice herb to turn to when I need something to add to a tea when I'm not feeling 100% and a lovely hardy plant to have on the border of my vege garden.

White sage thriving in my garden