White Buffalo Sage Stick: Approx. 6 inches in length; Approx. 1.5 oz
One of our most important mandates at NCCT has always been to ensure that our traditional medicines are of the highest quality and come from people who are trustworthy and harvesting in a good and sustainable fashion. This level of attention is especially important for highly popular traditional medicines like White Sage (salvia apiana).
White Sage is native to California and can only survive in warm climates in the specialized coastal habitat of Southern and Baja California. This evergreen shrub, belonging to the mint family, has tall woody stems and tiny white flowers that are irresistible to bees. This plant loves to grow on sunny, arid slopes.
Due to its recent popularity, it has suffered severe overharvesting in certain areas by those who do not have the plant or people's best interests at heart. Worse yet, there are also unscrupulous harvesters who collect from highly polluted areas and sell to unsuspecting buyers. If it's cheap, you need to ask why. It is really important to know where you are getting your medicines from.
Sage is one of the most sacred of traditional Indigenous medicines. Is has been used for thousands of years as both food and medicine, and as a smudge (cleansing ceremony) to kill germs and dispel negative energy from people, places, and objects.
Sage has been used to treat digestive issues, depression, memory loss, menstrual and menopausal issues, to correct overproduction of perspiration, saliva and milk flow, applied directly to the skin to treat cold sores, gingivitis, sore throat and much more.
Research continues to prove what Indigenous People have known for millennia about the benefits of smudging to purify the environment and set the space for healing. In 2006, a scientific paper titled Medicinal Smokes was published, containing research information from 50 countries on five continents regarding the ancient practice of using botanical smoke as a medicinal aid for lung, brain and skin function, as well as an air purifier. The research indicated that smoke from a variety of herbs is highly effective in reducing up to 94% of airborne bacteria for twenty-four hours, and in some cases much longer. A follow-up paper was published in 2007, in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which also concluded that in addition to health benefits, smudging is a powerful antiseptic. Unlike chemical air purifiers that only mask the smells in the air, Sage is also 100% natural and less likely to cause allergic reactions for people with scent sensitivities. It has been widely used by Indigenous people for this purpose.
PREPARATIONS: Keep dry. Store in an airtight container in a dry cupboard away from light. Will keep for many years. Note that his product and the paper bag it comes in are highly flammable. Use with caution. Use a dried leaf or two and light the tips. Wave in the air to extinguish.
PRECAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS:
-
Use at your own risk.
-
If Sage is used for purposes outside that of a spice, it should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of its emmenagogue (stimulates or increases menstrual flow) and abortifacient (may induce abortion) effect. Do not use during lactation due to the possibility of reduced milk flow.
-
Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have an existing medical condition, have allergies, or are on any medications.
This information is for educational purposes only, has not been evaluated by Health Canada, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
