Cathy Isom fills us in about growing white sage for smudging. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
White sage is a desert native, but thanks to a rise in popularity of the practice of smudging, more people are interested in raising the attractive herb that can be grown almost anywhere.
White Sage makes a beautiful landscape plant, as well as a medicinal herb. The silver/green leaves contain aromatic oils, and the flowers are popular with honey bees. White sage also has medicinal qualities such as fighting colds and chest congestion because the eucalyptol content helps to clear the airways.
Whether you plan to use it for smudging or you are looking for a beautiful addition to your garden, white sage is a delight to have around thanks to its sumptuous scent and unique silver leaves. You can use a number of different herbs in smudging rituals, including common sage, lavender sage, cedar, pinon pine, juniper or rosemary. For many people, however, white sage is the only way to go.
You can grow white sage from seedlings or cuttings, but it’s probably best for beginners to start from purchased plants.
I’m Cathy Isom…