Product Overview
The plant is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.[1] Calming and cleansing, White Sage is traditionally used to make smudge sticks and for ceremonial purposes and is widely used as a soapless shampoo and conditioning rinse by Southern California Indians.
Although many Americans know the common Sage (S. officinalis) found in gardens and kitchens, the less familiar White Sage (Salvia apiana) is a larger, hardier shrub whose silvery, evergreen leaves have been traditionally used for ceremonial cleansing.[2] The aroma of White Sage can be diffused to refresh room environments, or a drop of the oil can be rubbed on the hands to clear energy between clients.[3] Although there is very little data on White Sage essential oil, the broad constituent profile and the balance of potent aromatics indicates beneficial uses in diffusers or room sprays, massage and chest rubs, steams or saunas, or in specialized skincare preparations.
1 Clebsch, Betsy and Carol D. Barner, The New Book of Salvias, 2003, pp. 34-6.
2 Fischer-Rizzi, Susanne. Complete Aromatherapy Handbook - Essential Oils for Radiant Health, 1990, p, 209.
3 Industry communication.
4 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 416.
