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SAGE & SMUDGING
You've probably heard someone say that they need to 'smudge' or 'sage' their home. This is a very common practice within the spiritual community and a variety of sages and herbs can be found in most metaphysical stores worldwide. While the act of general smoke cleansing is a worldwide practice, some cultures and religions consider their particular rituals and herbs to be 'closed practice' (may only performed by people within that practice, culture, or ethnicity unless otherwise welcomed or accepted). Feel free to refer to our page on closed practices for more information on the topic.
Smudging is a distinctly Indigenous ceremonial ritual that involves burning sacred herbs for cleansing and protection, such as white sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco.
California White Sage (Salvia apiana), also known as Sacred Sage and Bee Sage, is perennial shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It can most commonly be found in the coastal shade scrub habitats of Baja and Southern California. While not currently endangered, it is heavily threatened as numbers rapidly decline due to overharvesting, climate change, wildfire, drought, and human development.
Conservationists and Native tribes in the region share growing concerns for the illegal harvesting of white sage, which is having a direct impact on wild populations and the future stability of this plant. Indigenous populations have used white sage for more than just smudging and purification, often incorporating this herb into traditional healing, foods and recipes. Cultural and historical ties to this plant run deep within the regions indigenous peoples, with many tribes guiding the way for conservation efforts via protected tribal lands. Many groups and tribes have asked non-natives to refrain from using white sage and instead utilize alternatives or other species of sage that are not threatened.
Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) is a great alternative to White Sage and has very similar spiritual properties. This variety of sage grows abundantly throughout central and eastern United States. This form is readily available in both plant and dried herb forms and can typically be found in metaphysical shops.
Another great alternative to consider is Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis), this variety is also known as common sage or culinary sage. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region but is readily available and easy to grow in the United States.
Most varieties of sage are generally considered non-invasive and will grow well if given access to well-drained soil, direct sunlight, and ample watering. Consider growing your own sage, if possible, this hardy plant is a fast growing and beginner friendly herb with easy access and harvesting.
Here at Garnet Skull, we do not carry California White Sage. But instead, choose to offer other varieties of sage and herbs that will offer the same properties and benefits without contributing to overharvesting, cultural appropriation, and habitat loss. We are not here to police any practices or tell others what to do, merely we strive to inform and educate on topics that may not be talked about enough in our communities. If you still want or need white sage for your practice, consider reaching out to tribes or tribal owned businesses where you can purchase ethically sourced and harvested products. Beware of businesses claiming to sell ethically sourced white sage without proof, ask if they can verify which tribes or companies they work with to obtain their products. As a retail business, we have had distributors and wholesalers try to sell us 'ethically sourced' white sage with little to no proof to back these claims. Remember that sustainable and ethical consumption is the only way to ensure that plants, animals, customs, and practices will be available to younger generations.