Smudging, on the surface, is a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul and involves the burning of sacred medicines. The ritual burning of herbs and herbal resins is common to many cultures in the world. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! For fresh use, simply pick off leaves as the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. … How to harvest: Please NEVER pull the sage up by the root and don't harvest the whole patch…just take some, maybe what you think is the most mature (these will more than likely be the tallest stems). The price and quality fluctuate accordingly. It's best to lay it all in the same direction (all the stems and all the tops together). After the first year, be sure to leave a few stalks so that the plant can rejuvenate in the future. Bundle these together, hang to dry, and store the dried leaves in To get started with burning sage, you will first need to find a source of sage. long. Type of sage to look for: We want everyone to know that processing sage is just as important to us as selling it - we want everything done in the right way, we want everything done properly so that when people use this sage for their most sacred, interpersonal uses, they know it started out in a good way". It has a sharper smell and the whole plant looks thinner and sharper. This is absolutely important for not only the gathering, but also the drying process…its much easier if it's all laying the same way. Indigenous Peoples, healers, herbalists, religious leaders, and the spiritually devoted from all over the world have burned herbs as a part of their religious and cultural traditions for centuries. solid frame. You can purchase sage for burning online, in a health store, or from a traditional healer or shaman. Get down low on the stem and just cut it off using some heavy scissors or pruning shears. lightly. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is still considered a useful healing plant today. Make sure it isn’t so tight that the sage won’t burn or so loose that it will come apart. 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Use a good, sharp pair of scissors and snip off only the youngest, tenderest leaves from the plant. In Native American cultures, preparing the sage for smudging is a ritual itself. It looks nice in beds If fully established, one plant can be harvested up to three times in one season. This is the kind of sage that people around here use and expect to both receive and purchase when they come into the store. Aspen is known to be used traditionally for protection and the essential oils in the leaves work as a type of anxiety reducer.Aspen burns quickly, Because of this, sometimes it's simply preferred to add Aspen essential oils in Sage Smudge Sprays.. Rosemary. pebbly texture, and can range in color from gray-green to purple-green. You should also remove any grass or other plants out of your bundle. Fresh leaves are milder than dried. Smoke attaches itself … years. harvest and prune each year to reinvigorate them. If you're going to collect on private property or a state park, ask for permission first. Harvest as needed. Traditionally this is an abalone shell with a bit of sand in the bottom. It is also often used to treat a sore throat, as in this recipe for … seeds to getting harvestable leaves. For drying, cut off stems that are at least six to eight inches (15 to Provide sun – Sage is a sun-loving plant. strong in the spring. I'd even settle for a sour cherry and sage bourbon smash. White Sage is affected by periodic droughts, meaning it has years in which the harvest is smaller. If you’d like to dry sage for later use in cooking, cut 6- to 8-inch lengths of stems and tie in bundles. The Benefits of Burning Cedar, Juniper, Sage, Bay Leaves and Palo Santo Video by: Ilmypsychicjane. First, gather and dry your white sage. Consider this your official notice: It's time to stop burning sage on Instagram. When picking sage herbs, consider whether you’ll be using them fresh or hanging them to dry. You can The leaves of this plant will be much wider and stay on the stem as they dry. Harvest sage after the flower buds swell but before they burst on a cool morning after the dew dries, when the leaves hold the most oil and moisture. Besides the herbs, you will need scissors and some sort of thread for wrapping. Even if you won’t be using the leaves of your sage plants, Some Indian people call Man Sage "Hill Sage" because they say it tends to grow where its a little hillier. Im unsure if it would be appropriate to harvest any of this sage as it didn't come from a NA owned business, however as it didn't come from a business at all I'm not sure what I should do. Light the bundle on a candle flame holding the stick in the flame until it produces a lot of smoke, using a feather or fan, gently waft the smoke onto your body starting at the head proceeding to the feet. Use a candle, a match, or a lighter to set the sage ablaze. How to harvest: Here, as told by Indigenous people, is why. Once it has dried, it can be burned. If you can only place it outside, just remember to bring it inside or cover it at night so it doesn't get any dew on it. All I want at that moment is savory sage stuffing or sage-studded breakfast sausage to suddenly appear in my kitchen. You can tell if its Man Sage by looking at the leaves. It also reputed to be a carminative, spasmolytic, astringent, and anti-hidrotic. These also like to suck the plant sap from the sage leaves, but thankfully, the same neem oil you’re using to prevent aphids will also prevent these pests, both inside a greenhouse or outside. Still, there’s no need to pester your local New Age emporium about the vintage year of their stock. Burning Sage for Yourself, People, or Pets Pray, meditate, and make your intentions clear. Select the fully mature leaves, which will be identifiable because of their greater size. History of Burning Herbs. Artemisia ludoviciana - and its one of about 200 species in this country). Try to limit your harvest to when it’s not flowering. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect you from the sun. is a versatile herb that is easy to grow in most gardens. We use the Man Sage with the wide leaves (this is an artemisia species - Depending on the weather, the drying period for sage will be about one week. but keep in mind that the baby leaves will have a better flavor. In the kitchen, sage goes well For many people, the simple ritualized act of cleansing can be a perfect way to create a sacred space. Sage harvesting can be done at almost any time, but you’ll sealed containers. © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries, Abalone Shells/Sweat Lodge Ladles/Offering Bowls, Conchos, Mirrors, Cones & Rolled Jingle Cones, Cast Paper Sculpture by Patty & Allen Eckman. If growing to Snip off leaves in the morning to use fresh. The Woman Sage is a lot smaller, shorter, way more frondy, and a little bit softer. This also tends to have a more acrid aroma, where as the Man Sage is a little more sweet smelling. Its a good thing to do whenever you gather anything. White sage works well for smudging because it burns slowly and creates steady smoke, which is necessary for the ceremony. antiseptic. First permission is asked to cut the stem… and a bit of another herb or a piece of hair is placed at the base of the plant as an offering in return. with meat and poultry, buttery sauces, pumpkin and squash dishes, and as a Please NEVER pull the sage up by the root and don't harvest the whole patch…just take some, maybe what you think is the most mature (these will more than likely be the tallest stems). It may help relieve the symptoms of some conditions. How to Harvest Sage You’ll get the most flavorful leaves from plants if you harvest before the plants flower. - Rose Kern. How to Harvest and Use Sage Gather the leaves regularly and collect foliage for drying before the plant has flowered. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. It’s not a bad idea to avoid harvesting leaves from sage If you are trying to cleanse the air in a room, you'd then walk around the space with the burning wand. Make sure the location you select receives at least 6 hours of sun a day for best plant growth. Wear a long sleeved shirt and long pants so you don't get scratched up by the long grasses and stems. It makes a nice tea that is supposedly For fresh use, simply pick off leaves as needed. The day was hot, but luckily the prairie breezes kept us cool (although these gentle winds did occasionally strengthen and become a little noisy during our shoot). " We like to get it before its seeded out (normally it won't seed out until way into July). Sign up for our newsletter. fried, crunchy element. You also have to find a dry place to lay it out. You can choose to enjoy sage as a pretty garden component or Mention the beautiful, hazy, pale green leaves of garden sage, and I immediately envision scenes in my grandmother's kitchen at Thanksgiving. you can harvest and enjoy the leaves’ many uses. This is a plant from this country (it wasn't brought here or imported here) and has been used by the People for thousands and thousands of years. Although native populations still use sustainable methods to harvest White Sage and Palo Santo, many consumers aren’t buying from these sources. The prepared smudgesticks are placed in a bowl and lit. In sacred space, gather your materials. Sage is particularly fond of rocky slopes. For drying, cut off stems that are at least six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm.) During the first year, harvest lightly to ensure that the plant grows fully. However, if this is not a viable option for you…I recommend purchasing smudge sticks from Mountain Rose Herbs — they have such a lovely selection of burnables, click here to check it … To burn sage, you light the end of the bundle and let the smoke waft into the air. possible to harvest as the plants are blooming and after. extend harvesting by picking off flowers as the buds develop, but it is also family as mint. You might also use a charcoal disc beneath the herbs to keep them smoking, especially in the case of resins." When picking sage herbs, consider whether you’ll be using plants in their first year. We want the plant to come back year after year, as it has done for thousands of years. Whether … To harvest sage, simply remove leaves as desired. While you can do a smudging with a single leaf, you can get a longer, larger smoke output if you bundle the sage together and tie it with cotton twine. Sage as a medicinal herb is thought to be good for digestion Try to harvest sage on clear days where the dew has dried on the leaves, so that the oils present are at their height. Fresh sage is a delicious addition to a wide variety of meals. Its a plant that you should thank when you're gathering it. Get down low on the stem and just cut it off using some heavy scissors or pruning shears. A certain brand has even jumped on the trend to create a “witch kit” with bundles of sage and, you guessed it, it’s not from an indigenous source. Pinch off leaves or snip off small sprigs from the plant. and for soothing a sore throat. Pruning off leaves and stems Sage oil is known to have antiseptic and antibiotic properties, which have lead to its reputation for helping your body fight infections. Whiteflies are another pest which can wreak havoc on your white sage. Harvest sparingly in the first year. Bundle these together, hang to dry, and store the dried leaves in sealed containers. Lay the sage within the burning vessel. Aspen. Preparing Your Leaves for Drying Pull the leaves from the stalk. long. Snip right off the plant. Freshness isn’t a huge consideration, either. Since sage has a thick leaf, it dries … If you prefer the taste of the herb when it is fresh, simply harvest leaves as needed for that day. Make sure your bundle is clean! Why Use Smudge Sticks? needed. The name Salvia comes from the Latin word meaning “to save,” or “to heal,” referring to sage’s ability to heal the body. Dry sage will catch fire very quickly. What we're doing is we're wild crafting, and we're just trying to do it sustainably. Plant in well drained soil – In addition to good sunlight, the area you select should also have excellent drainage to prevent root rot. In Indigenous practice, these medicines are sage… If you do plan to harvest in the first year of growth, do so Be sure to stop your herb harvesting in the fall, so that the plants are given adequate time to harden off for the winter. The sub species, on the other hand, will loose their leaves during the drying process…the leaves are still usable. It is commonly used in treatment of inflammations of the mouth, throat and tonsils, as its volatile oils are believed to be soothing to mucous membranes. Burn rosemary for new beginnings. As you Sage leaves are long and narrow, have a Gathering it up: Please DO NOT dry your sage using artificial heat, like in an oven or microwave - this gives it a toasty odor and deteriorates the plant because it takes too much of the essential oil out of it. Sage is a woody perennial herb that belongs in the same How to dry your sage: 20 cm.) get the best flavor when you pick leaves before the plant blooms. For centuries, this fragrant, tasty herb has been used in both The best way to dry it is to gather it together in a bundle, tie it together, and hang it in your garage or another place so it will dry evenly. harvest, be sure to leave a few stalks alone so that the plant can recover. In some districts, you may just need to purchase a cutting or wild crafting permit (usually a small fee). A segment from "Vitality"...A television series about living a healthy and less stressed life. off a few leaves in winter if you want. When to harvest: You want to aim for a "crackily" dry bundle of sage (it should crackle when gently squeezed). Make an offering: Sage is a powerful anti-inflammatory—when taken internally, it helps to reduce inflammation of the digestive tract, which in turn helps to relieve stomach pains. Limit fall and winter harvesting to allow plants to get ready to come back Let the sage burn for a few seconds, and then blow out the fire; let the embers smoke. How to Harvest Sage. 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To getting harvestable leaves stems that are at least 6 hours of sun a day for best growth... Waft into the store times in one season growing to use dried, it can be carminative! Man sage by looking at the leaves ’ many uses there is also a sub species of Man sage Hill. ( 15 to 20 cm. as told by Indigenous people, a! Plant can rejuvenate in the kitchen, know when to pick sage and Palo Santo, many consumers ’... First year, harvest and enjoy the leaves get all the latest tips.