Indigenous Sacred Plants: Sage

This is the last in our series on Indigenous sacred plants. Sage, along with sweetgrass, red cedar and tobacco, is one of the four plants considered sacred by First Nations and Métis Peoples. Sage is used broadly for many purposes by both First Nations and Native Americans - and is described here in only the most general of terms. Similar to sweetgrass, it is used in many geographical locations in North America, whereas red cedar is primarily used in ceremonies on the Northwest Coast.

Sacred plants all seem to have one thing in common - the versatility with which they are used. Sage, depending on the particular culture, can be used in medicine pouches, spread over the floor of a sweat lodge, wrapped around sacred implements, used for healing, used to make bad spirits sick, purify people and dwellings, healing and calming.

There are two types of sage, each with its own distinct qualities and uses. Smoke from white sage (Artemesia califoncia) is used for the purification of mind, body and spirit and sacred articles in advance of prayers and ceremonies. White sage is burned for meditation, smudging and cleansing of spirit and dwelling. In some beliefs, white sage smoke is believed to provide a barrier that prevents negative spirits from entering the room in which the ceremony is being held.

Desert sage (Salvia apiana) has been revered by First Peoples for its medicinal attributes long before the study of microbiology entered the universe. The ancient belief in desert sage as a healing plant is “verified” by scientific analysis of its properties that show it contains certain polyphenols which are natural antioxidants that protect cells from toxins and organisms in the environment that cause infections; it is antifungal, antiseptic and an astringent. Interestingly, the Latin root of Salvia is salvare, which means to heal.

In this video, "Picking Sage and Great Advice from an Elder", video, you will hear Elder Wilfred Buck talk about the healing powers of sacred sage, and how those healing powers brought him back from the doorstep of death to a clean and spiritual life.

This post is the first in our series on Indigenous sacred plants. Read the next post:
• Indigenous Sacred Plants: Sweetgrass

Featured photo: Unsplash