California White Sage, Tied 8 to 10 cm.

Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto? – What can a man die of who has sage in his garden? This phrase from a treatise of the Salerno Medical School (12th-13th century) says it all about sage, a sacred plant.

The Plant and Its Properties
Its scientific name is Salvia apiana; it comes from the Latin salvare – to heal. It grows wild in the southwestern United States, mainly in California and northwestern Mexico. It is a well-known medicinal plant. Most of its properties are concentrated in the leaves, which absorb the sun’s energy and produce a large quantity of essential oils that aromatize the plant. They give off a very pleasant aroma that provides a feeling of well-being. Scientific studies have revealed that both the leaves and stems contain jaceosidin, a molecule known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

A Little History
In Celtic Europe, it was used by Druids to enhance their wisdom and during their healing and protection rituals. In the Americas, many Native American cultures on the west coast of the US purified body and spirit with the powerful properties of white sage; they burned the leaves, and the resulting white smoke was used to bless and cleanse both people and objects.

Cultivation
Our plants are harvested both in natural areas and in cultivated fields. Regardless of their origin, the harvesters are legally authorized to do so. The process is simple: they cut the branches and leave the roots to allow for future harvests. Exports are controlled by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), which certifies that all legal and environmental requirements are met.
Plant growth depends on the climate and annual rainfall. The size of the bundles can therefore vary from harvest to harvest: a difficult season and less abundant harvests result in a smaller bundle. In drought years, the concentration of essential oils is higher.

How to Use
This purification ritual is a universal practice. It is said to promote mental clarity, joy, and calm.
1. You need a bundle of dried sage tied with cotton, a feather or fan, and a heat-resistant bowl to collect the ashes, such as an abalone shell.
2. Light the sage inside the bowl, preferably with a match. Blow on it to fan the flames and let it burn out. Be careful of sparks!
3. Smudging: Bring the smoke close to the people participating in the ritual. With the fan, direct it to their head, arms, legs, back…
4. Cleansing: Walk through the space to be purified with the bowl, dispersing the smoke with the feather or fan. Let it reach where your intuition guides you.
Remember that intention is the foundation of any smudging ritual: if your heart is pure and your desire noble, you will enhance its effects.

Ventilate after use. Do not inhale the smoke directly.

Fragrance: Green
Description: Bundle 8-11 cm, naturally grown without fertilizers or pesticides
Made in: United States