Sage Bundles

White Sage: Sacred Plant, Sacred Responsibility White sage (Salvia apiana) is far more than a trendy “smudging” stick. It is a sacred plant with deep cultural, spiritual, and medicinal roots—most notably within Indigenous communities of the southwestern United States, including the Chumash, Cahuilla, Tongva, and other Native nations. These communities have long used white sage in ceremony for purification, protection, and to connect with the spiritual realm. But in recent years, white sage has become highly commercialized—sold in bulk, burned out of context, and marketed as a cure-all spiritual accessory. That’s not just problematic—it’s cultural appropriation. 🪶 What Is Cultural Appropriation When It Comes to Sage? Cultural appropriation happens when a practice, symbol, or item is taken from a culture—often one that has been historically marginalized—without understanding, respect, or permission. In the case of white sage, many people are using it without any awareness of its sacred