Dancing With Desert Sage

Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Growing up in the Columbia Basin in Eastern Washington it is present everywhere.  My father Max and Uncle Dean Gardner came to this valley in 1955 and bought land.  They had to break some of the land out of sage brush to be able to farm it.  Sagebrush was known by past pioneers as a marker for good land.  It needs a very balanced PH to grow.

One of my earliest memories of sagebrush was our family "Christmas Tree".  Miniature lights, and decorations, along with a felted figurine rabbit named Thumper,  in honor of my sisters pet rabbit.

When I moved to South East Idaho, sage was there to greet me. Some of my favorite memories are driving in the desert with my dad, picking Oregon Grape, choke cherries,  and of course smelling the sage.

Back to the Columbia valley again, My connection deepens with this plant.  Picking sage on the banks and bluffs of the Columbia River is a humbling experience.

Medicinally, It has many uses.  Michel Moore has an extensive writing in Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  As does Mathew Wood in 7 Sacred Plants as Medicine. I would like to share some of the ways I have used this plant with success.  It should be noted that this plant is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Making my own smudge sticks for personal use, and as gifts, has been a great way to connect with the spirit of the land that I live on.  I had the honor of taking 2 of my daughter last year pick sage for their own smudge sticks.  It was a wonderful day, and they have really enjoyed using something they made themselves.

I have also made dessert sage acetum.  (Artimesia tr. extracted in vinegar)  I used this as a topical treatment for bronchial complaints along with a tea to support the person.  A Steam treatment also worked really well. 

Desert Sage extracted in oil, is a great anti fungal and antibacterial.  I have used it alone, or in mixtures to create salves for healing skin conditions.  It can also be used for pain relief.  It is a powerful Medicine.   wonderful for  meditation.

Michel Moore talked of it being very hard to drink as a tea, and should not be taken internally for long periods of time internally.  I have taken his word for it, and use sage topically. Herbalist

Suzanne Jordan of Cedar Mountian Herb School recommends only 3 leaves of this very powerful plant if you do take it in a tea form. 

So, enjoy the summer,  pick this sacred plant and bring it into your life,  and remember the smell of sage after it rains in the desert...........  Blessings,  Ann