What Does White Sage Incense Do?

Prashant Yadav
7 min readFeb 27, 2023

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Native Americans have revered White Sage since its inception. Its prestige stems from its purifying, cleansing, and protecting powers. The ancient practice of burning sage sticks is regaining popularity. We’re curious: Does the smoke from burning sage actually help you?

A female holding a whitesage smudge next to a Smudging word tag cloud on a smoky background

Origins

White Sage is a ceremonial and healing incense that has been used for centuries by Native Americans. The plant, Artemisia absinthium, is native to the western United States and Mexico. The sagebrush plant grows to 3–5 feet tall with aromatic grey-green leaves that are divided into small leaflets. The flowers are white and numerous. Artemisia absinthium was used by the ancient Greeks for both culinary purposes (to add flavour to food) and as incense. White Sage has a woodsy, uplifting scent and is often used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and meditation.

Whitesage Incense burning next to a native american feather and few pebble stone on a brown background

The first time Europeans saw Sage they were amazed by its potency and its ability to cleanse and protect. Sage was revered by Native Americans as a powerful purifier, cleansing agent, and protector. The plant is native to the Western United States and is often found near rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Native Americans also used it to cleanse themselves before going into battle or prayer, as well as for healing purposes. They also burned it in ceremonial fires to create a sanctifying atmosphere. Today, White Sage is still used for cleansing rituals by Native American healers. White Sage Incense is known for its warm, woodsy scent that is often used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and meditation.

Cultural Appropriation of White Sage

There is a lot of debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of white sage. Some people feel that it should be respected because it is an ancient and integral part of traditional Native American ceremonies. Others argue that using sage without permission from the tribe or indigenous community who owns the land where it grows is wrong because it represents a misrepresentation of their culture. There are also those who feel that any use of sage — whether for ceremonial or medicinal purposes — should be done with respect for its spiritual significance to indigenous people. It’s important to remember that no one culture can claim ownership over any other and that each community has a unique history and cultural identity.

Various Usage

White sage incense is a natural incense that is made from the leaves and branches of the white sage plant. The plant has been used by Native American tribes for centuries to scent their homes and ceremonies. It is often considered to be calming and healing, and it can be used in meditation or yoga practices too. Mainly its use is for removing negative energies by smudging.

Smudging

Sage is a common smudging herb & can be utilised to purify & cleanse the energy of a room or space. It can also be used to send positive vibrations into space. When burning white sage, helps clear the air of negative energy and promotes peace and tranquillity. It is always recommended to set the right intention before smudging as this helps in bringing out the full potential of white sage incense.

Smudge a house or space the right way

Smudging helps in removing the bad and negative energies from a space or house when done the right way, Start by placing the lit incense in an abalone shell and holding it in your left hand, keep a small bell in your right hand and start from the entrance of your house

Whitesage bundles in an abalone shell displayed over a silky blue cloth surface

walking inside the house from the left side with the incense burning and the bell ringing and while doing so you need to say that you’re removing the negativity from this space to let prosperity and abundance inside in this way complete the smudging process in the entire house and at the last moment place the shell outside the house and let the incense burn to ash, collect this ash and discard it in a bin or a drain.

Smudging an object

Some people burn white sage incense sticks over particular artefacts to honour the object’s spiritual significance, and aromatherapy to improve odour, smell, and mood. Simply waft sage smoke throughout your home.

Benefits burning sage

White Sage incense is known for its relaxing and uplifting properties. It is commonly used in ceremonies and rituals to promote peace, tranquillity, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, sage can help relieve stress and promote a sense of calmness and serenity.

Purification Properties

The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of white prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) are both well known. White sage (Salvia apiana) has antibacterial properties, furthermore, both have been demonstrated to repel insects.

Spiritual Properties

The plant is believed to have spiritual properties, including purifying and balancing qualities. It has been used to promote peace and tranquillity, as well as to help connect with the spiritual realm. It is also thought to attract good luck and protect against negative energy. Some believe that burning white sage can help to clear one’s head and promote creativity.

Stress Reliever

A research study conducted in 2014 identified that white prairie sage is a popular traditional treatment in certain cultures for the treatment of mood disorders & depression. If burning sage can improve one’s mood, it could also be an effective stress reliever. Another 2016 study by the University of Mississippi discovered that white sage (Salvia apiana) includes substances that cause certain receptors in the brain to be activated. These receptors are in charge of improving mood, lowering tension, and even alleviating pain.

Sleep Enhancer

Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is sometimes burned in the same way that white sage is. It has also been used to aid anxiety & sleep disorders

Boosting Energy & Cognition levels

White sage incense is known to boost energy and cognitive levels. It is also beneficial in removing stress and promoting relaxation. The essential oil of sage has been shown to improve cognitive function, concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills. According to a 2016 assessment of studies, evidence for Salvia’s cognitive-enhancing advantages seems encouraging & has shown potential for treating Alzheimer’s & dementia disease also antifatigue properties. Some sage-like plants, like white prairie sage, are also used for smudging.

FAQs

How to Cultivate White Sage from Seed Indoors?

White sage is a member of the mint family. It can be either wild or cultivated. The leaves, stems, and flowers of sage are all used for incense. The leaves are dried and then ground into a powder for use in incense. The stem is also dried and ground into a powder for use in incense. The flowers can be used to make tea or added to herbal remedies.

White sage can be cultivated from seed indoors and will grow into a small shrub. It is best to start the cultivation process by germinating the seeds in soil either in a pot or in a jar. Once the seeds have germinated, water them regularly and keep them moist. Place the sage plants in a sunny spot and allow them to grow until they are about 2 feet tall. Once they reach this height, it is time to begin harvesting the sage leaves. Harvesting should take place twice per week, once during the morning and once during the evening.

What is White Sage and Lavender used for?

White sage is a shrubby plant and lavender is a flowering plant. They are both used for different purposes. Sage is traditionally used for purification and protection, while lavender is used for relaxation and stress relief.

What are Dragon’s Blood and White Sage smudge used for?

White sage incense is used to cleanse and purify the space around you. It is said to be a powerful ally against negative energies. Dragon blood incense is used as a protective smudge during rituals and spells. It is believed to bring strength, courage, and energy to the person or object being smudged. Oftentimes when coated with the resin of dragon blood it’s called Red Sage or Dragon Sage.

What are the risks or adverse effects of sage smudging?

Sage Smudging is absolutely safe when done appropriately and respectfully, and the effects persist long after the smoke has cleared just when sage is lit, use caution as burns from flames are possible if you are not careful.

Also, allergens such as pet dander, pollutants, dust, and mould are examples of common positive ions in such a scenario burning sage is a boon to those suffering from asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments, but inhaling the smoke during the smudging, on the other hand, can aggravate any respiratory problem hence before entering the room, wait for the smoke to disperse.

Why is white sage a closed practice?

White sage is a closed practice because it is used as an offering to the gods and ancestors. It is believed that burning sage wards off negative energy, brings peace and happiness, and can promote healing.

Conclusion

White sage incense sticks are powerful that can be used in many ways. It has many benefits, including calming the mind and spirit, promoting inner peace, and connecting with the divine.

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Prashant Yadav

Content Writer, Researcher & Marketer at https://healthegnite.com/ with a passion for Health & Fitness | Healthy Lifestyle | Clean Eating