According to Lakota tradition, sage (
Artemisia Ludoviciana) is effective against spirits who would do bad things. I have experienced that this is true.
I picked wild sage today after the tradition. Tobacco was offered to the seven directions of the Medicine Wheel and I thanked the plants for their gift.
A couple of the plants were pulled up by the roots. When I got home, I trimmed the tops off the roots and planted them in a large pot. This type of sage propagates by both seeds and rhizomes. It is not really a sage, (Salvia spp.) but it is a member of the Artemisia family that includes Tarragon and Wormwood.
The rest of the sage is drying in a corner. When it's dry enough, the leaves will be stripped from the stems and will be stored in a large jar.
To use it, I will take a small amount and roll it into a ball between my palms. Then I will light it as one would light incense. It will be placed in an Abalone shell to burn. No large amount is needed because the
ton of the plant exists even in the smallest piece. Ton (pronounced "tone") is the spiritual essence.
Some people make smudge sticks by bundling the sage into small bundles and tying it with colorful cotton string.
Cleansing is done by smudging that which is to be cleansed with the smoke.
Cedar or Sweet Grass are often used for similar purposes.
