{"id":2089,"date":"2024-05-02T06:03:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T06:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aushiphop.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=2089"},"modified":"2024-05-02T08:41:12","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T08:41:12","slug":"salvia-apiana-white-sage","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aushiphop.com.au\/product\/salvia-apiana-white-sage\/","title":{"rendered":"Salvia apiana ‘White Sage’"},"content":{"rendered":"
Salvia apiana, commonly known as ‘White Sage,’ is a versatile and valuable plant native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. This evergreen perennial shrub is highly prized for its aromatic leaves, which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, spiritual practices, and culinary applications.<\/span><\/p>\n Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Salvia apiana<\/em><\/p>\n White sage is a large, herbaceous perennial, sometimes called \u2018bee sage\u2019\u2019 or \u2018sacred sage.\u2019 It may grow from 1.3 to 1.5 meters in ideal conditions and is one of the larger salvias. The slightly purple flower stalks extend up almost the same height again and bear small white to lavender flowers. The long, grey or silvery white leaves are highly aromatic when crushed and lend white sage its name. The bottom of the stem is quite woody, with a fleshy top and leaves grow in florets at the top.<\/p>\n The plant is also called \u2018apiana\u2019 because of the great bee attractant qualities. Wasps, hawk-moths and hummingbirds are also attracted to the plant in its native Californian environment. It is found in mainly in the coastal scrub areas and rugged hills of Southern California and the Western edge of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.<\/p>\n White sage is highly valued by Native Americans as a ceremonial and ritualistic plant. It is deemed to have great spiritual and emotional cleansing properties and is now used by many people for this purpose. Sage emits negative ions, much like running water and can impart uplifting feelings. Sage, in the form of \u2018smudge sticks<\/a>\u2019 are used in cleansing and purification ceremonies, even in the 21st century. Try out the Australian grown\u00a0white sage smudge stick<\/a>\u00a0to experience the calming effects yourself.<\/p>\n White sage is revered for its mystical qualities and naturally growing white sage is becoming increasingly rare, due to its commercial uses.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n White Sage can be tricky to grow. It needs REALLY good drainage, FULL sun, good airflow, and hates it leaves being wet. Also, pruning to keep the centre of the plant open for airflow will help.<\/strong><\/p>\n White sage is native to only a small part of southern California and northwestern Mexico. It prefers conditions that replicate this often coastal and dry, sloping environment on the edge of the desert. Deep watering is only required once every two weeks, with sandy, well-drained soil in a sunny position. It will tolerate cool conditions, but shade, humidity and over watering will result in poor performance. In frost zones, white sage can be grown in pots and kept indoors. In these areas, it is best to treat white sage as an annual.<\/p>\n White sage can be grown from seed, but there are conflicting reports about how the degree of success. Some account say it is quite easy and others say the germination rate of white sage is very low, with a success rate of 15%. If taking this approach, make sure to sow a much greater amount than you need. It may be helpful to sow in seed trays, using a cactus potting mix. Water well and then keep very lightly watered as represented in dry conditions. Wait until seedlings appear and then plant out approximately 60 cm apart. White sage will easily hybridise with other salvias.<\/p>\n To harvest white sage, cut the stems being careful to note which part of the stem is fleshy and which is woody. If you cut into the fleshy top, the plant will produce 2 stems next year. If you cut the woody base, then no new growth or leaves will appear. Hang the stems upside down to dry and then bunch together to form \u2018smudge sticks<\/a>\u2019. The dried leaves can be kept for teas and you may use them in food if you wish. Collect the seeds to plant the following year, by saving the brown nut like fruits before the seeds are released.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Native American uses for white sage included using leaves as a source of flavouring in meal preparation. They also ground up the seeds and mixed with flour to create porridge and biscuits. The seeds, roots and leaves are all edible.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n White sage is rich in cineole, a chemical with antiseptic properties, also found in rosemary and eucalyptus. The active constituents also have a reputation as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and pain reducing qualities. Cineole, ingested in a tea or inhaled from burning leaves helps to break up mucous, relieve congestion and stimulate clear breathing.<\/p>\n The traditional medicinal uses of white sage by Native Americans included as a cold remedy, for fevers and painful or heavy menstruation and for healing and strength after childbirth. It was also reputed to rid the body of foul odours when the leaves were crushed and rubbed all over the body. Warm sage tea is said to be good for sore throats and cold tea for stomach aches. The seeds were also used to remove foreign objects from the eyes, much like\u00a0Clary sage<\/a>\u00a0in Europe.<\/p>\nGrowing Conditions<\/h3>\n
Culinary Uses<\/h3>\n
Medicinal Uses<\/h3>\n
Other Uses<\/h3>\n