The southern region of California and the Southwestern United States is home to many species of indigenous plants and medicinal herbs, but few carry as much history and intrigue as white sage. Known widely in modern times for its use in smudge sticks and cleansing ceremonies, as well as for its use as a culinary herb, white sage is also believed to hold sacred homeopathic wellness properties. In this guide, we dive into the key characteristics that define white sage and unlock a bit of the history behind what makes this herb such a significant addition to Mountain Smokes’ proprietary CBD Hemp Smoke blend.
Definitions and Characteristics of White Sage
White Sage, known scientifically as Salvia apiana, is a perennial evergreen shrub native to both northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Other Names for White Sage:
- Bee Sage
- Sacred Sage
Recognizing White Sage
Appearance: White sage is shrublike and grows up to 5 feet tall and wide, though the mature flower shoots usually flop over, making the shrub appear shorter upon first glance.
Leaves: White sage is notable for its characteristically pale, grayish-green leaves that reach between 1.2-3.5 inches long. These leaves appear almost white at first glance (hence the plant’s name) and often form clusters in an arcing ball several inches across, resembling the shape of a pineapple top. The leaves have crenulate (notched) margins, are smooth to the touch, feature soft hairs, and are a bit larger than those found on many other common varieties of sage. When rubbed, the leaves release highly aromatic resins.
Flowers: The flowers are mostly white but can contain a slight hint of lavender or pink and don’t occur in whorls like some of the other sage species common to the southwestern United States. Bees are highly attracted to white sage flowers, and the presence of white sage helps spur pollination of surrounding plant species.
The Taxonomy of White Sage
- Kingdom: Plantae (plants)
- Sub-kingdom: Viridplantae (green plants)
- Infrakingdom: Streptophyta (land plants)
- Superdivision: Embryophyta (land plants)
- Division: Tracheophyta (vascular plants)
- Subdivision: Spermatophytina (seed plants)
- Class: Magnoliopsida (flowering plants)
- Superorder: Asteranae (the largest group of flowering plants)
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Lamiaceae (mints)
- Genus: Salvia L. (sage)
- Species: Salvia apiana
- Common Names: White sage, sacred sage, bee sage
Where Does White Sage Grow?
Region, Climate, and Growing Conditions: White Sage is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, most notably the southern and Baja regions of California, where it thrives among the yellow-pine forests. It prefers dry, well-draining soil, full sun, good air circulation, and can thrive with little water, making it particularly suited to the drought-prone climate of southern California. In the wild, it is most often found on dry, sunny slopes at an elevation no higher than 4,900 feet.
Differences Between Common and White Sage
Family Lineage: Both white sage and common garden sage are members of the Lamiaceae or mint family, which includes many common aromatic and medicinal herbs. White sage (Salvia apiana) and common sage or garden sage (Salvia officinalis) are two of over 800 varieties of Salvia within the Lamiaceae family.
Climate and Region: White sage is drought tolerant and thrives in arid climates with little to no water. In contrast, common sage prefers a much different growing environment. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, common sage requires steady watering or regular rainfall to reach its full potential.
Appearance: Common garden sage features darker, grey-green leaves that are slightly smaller than the smooth, whitish-grey leaves of white sage. Common sage plants also generally only grow to about 2 feet in height, compared to white sage’s 4 to 5 feet.
Uses of White Sage Throughout History
Culinary Uses: White sage, known as ‘pellytaay’ to the Kumeyaay people, has traditional culinary uses among Native American tribes in southern California. The seeds are often toasted, ground up, and used as the main ingredient in pinole, once a staple food of the region. The Cahuilla people mixed the seeds with wheat flour and sugar to make biscuits and gruel. The Chumash people and surrounding communities used the leaves and stems as a food source.
Health and Wellness: Traditionally, white sage leaves have been used for multiple health and wellness purposes. Several native tribes also used the seeds for removing foreign objects from the eye, while Cahuilla women used white sage as a herbal remedy to restore strength and promote healing after giving birth.
Recreational and Ceremonial Smoking: Historically, white sage has been smoked by the indigenous people of Mexico and the United States for both ceremonial and recreational purposes.
Burning and Smudging: Many tribes native to the southwestern United States traditionally burn or “smudge” with white sage as part of various religious ceremonies. Smudging is most commonly associated with purification ceremonies and is believed to clear the air of negative energy and purify the body. This ritual has been appropriated by the new age movement in modern times, leading to the over-harvesting of wild plants. Thus, smudging by non-native peoples has been a subject of controversy in recent years.
Conservation Status
United Plant Savers “To Watch” List: The explosion of white sage’s popularity within the new age movement has led to over-harvesting on public lands. This trend has overstressed wild populations of the herb, creating concern among native tribes who rely on white sage in traditional practices. The practice of over-harvesting has led to the addition of white sage on the United Plant Savers watch list.
Sustainable Use of White Sage
To partake in the benefits of white sage without stressing native populations, it is advisable to avoid “wildcrafted” varieties and instead opt for white sage grown at sustainable, organic farms. At Mountain Smokes, only sage provided by organic farmers is used to remove pressures on wild sage and to ensure its foothold in nature remains intact for future generations.
Why Use White Sage in Mountain Smokes?
Given its history and pleasant aroma, white sage is a natural addition to Mountain Smokes’ all-natural premium CBD Hemp Smokes. But it isn’t flavor alone that led to its inclusion in our proprietary blend of organic hemp, white sage, and mullein.
Enhancing Flavor: The resinous aroma of white sage pairs perfectly with the natural flavors of hemp flowers, leading to a soft, refreshing flavor that promotes relaxation.
Cultural Respect: White Sage is a storied plant with a rich cultural, ceremonial, and religious history among Native American tribes. Mountain Smokes pays homage to this history, aiming to preserve the use of white sage while enhancing the smoking experience.
Consistency: White sage helps ensure a high degree of consistency in delivering a precise amount of CBD in each smoke. State-of-the-art, third-party testing for all products guarantees that customers receive exactly what’s on the label.
White sage, blended with exquisite and delicious-tasting hemp flower, creates a match made in Mountain Smokes heaven. Whether for tradition, flavor, heritage, or its soothing abilities, white sage elevates the experience with Mountain Smokes.
