+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## white sage {#white-sage .Title-Header}                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Artemisia ludoviciana* Nutt.                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = ARLU                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

##### *Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center & University of California-Davis Arboretum*

#### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.0819444444444444in" height="3.6333333333333333in"}

## Alternative Names

Silver wormwood, white sagebrush, wild sage, prairie sage, wormwood,
white mugwort, western mugwort, Louisiana sage, darkleaf mugwort,
Mexican sagewort, Chihuahua sagewort, Garfield tea, lobed cudweed, man
sage

## Use

*Ethnobotanic*: Burning white sage and "smudge sticks" (the process of
harvesting sage stems and tying the stem together into a "smudge
stick"), was and is used for cleansing and purification (Gilmore 1977,
Kindscher 1992). White sage or "man sage" was perhaps the most important
ceremonial plant of the Cheyenne (Hart 1976). The sage was spread along
the borders and on the altar in almost every ceremonial lodge (including
the stone peoples lodge or sweat lodge) with the flowering end toward
the fire. The leaves were burned as an incense to cleanse and drive away
bad spirits, evil influences, bad

dreams, bad thoughts, and sickness. A small pinch of baneberry (*Actea
rubra)* was often mixed with it for this purpose. The smoke was used to
purify people, spaces, implements, utensils, horses, and rifles in
various ceremonies. The Lakota also make bracelets for the Sun Dance
from white sage (Rogers 1980). The Cheyenne use the white sage in their
Sun Dance and Standing Against Thunder ceremonies (Hart 1976). Other
tribes who used white sage include the Arapaho, Comanche, Gros Ventre,
Creek, Navaho, Tewa, and Ute (Nickerson 1966, Carlson and Jones 1939,
Hart 1976, Thwaites 1905, Denig 1855, Elmore 1944, Robbins et al. 1916,
Chamberlin 1909).

The Dakota and other tribes used white sage tea for stomach troubles and
many other ailments (Gilmore 1977). The Cheyenne used the crushed leaves
as snuff for sinus attacks, nosebleeds, and headaches (Hart 1976). The
Crow made a salve for use on sores by mixing white sage with neck-muscle
fat (probably from buffalo) (Hart 1976). They used a strong tea as an
astringent for eczema and as a deodorant and an antiperspirant for
underarms and feet. The Kiowa made a bitter drink from white sage, which
they used to reduce phlegm and to relieve a variety of lung and stomach
complaints (Vestal and Shultes 1939). Usually, they chewed the stem and
leaves and swallowed the juice.

The Kiowa-Apaches used a thin, sharp-pointed section of the stem as a
moxa to relieve headaches or other pain (Jordan 1965). The Chinese also
use an *Artemisia* species as a moxa to relieve pain such as arthritis.
The Kiowa also used an infusion of white sage plants for the lungs, to
cut phlegm, and for stomach trouble. The Mesquakie used the leaves as a
poultice to "cure sores of long standing" (Smith 1928). They also made a
tea of the leaves to treat tonsillitis and sore throat and a smudge of
the leaves to drive away mosquitoes. The Omaha used the leaves in a tea
for bathing and used the powdered leaves to stop nosebleeds (Gilmore
1913).

Both the Pawnee and the Bannock women drank *Artemisia ludoviciana* tea
during their moon time, or menstrual periods (Dunbar 1880). During the
time that women lived away from their lodges in a menstrual hut, they
drank the bitter tea made from either the leaves of white sage or the
root of *A. frigida* (Gilmore 1930).

The Blackfeet use the white sage in sweat-lodge rituals and as an
ingredient in a stream vapor inhaled for respiratory problems. The
"Giver of Breath" heals the ability to breathe with this powerful plant
medicine.

According to Moerman (1986) *Artemisia ludoviciana* was used for the
following:

-   The Fox used a poultice of leaves to heal old sores, a burning
    smudge to drive away mosquitoes and to "smoke ponies when they have
    the distemper", and an infusion of leaves to heal tonsillitis and
    sore throats.

-   The Omaha used the leaves as a bath for fevers and to prevent
    nosebleeds.

-   The Paiute used a decoction of the plant as a soaking bath to
    relieve aching feet, to heal stomachaches, as a poultice for
    rheumatism or other aches, as a poultice or compress for headaches,
    to stop diarrhea, in a sweatbath for rheumatism, and to relieve the
    itching and discomfort of rashes and skin eruptions.

-   The Shoshone took white sage for colds, coughs, headaches,
    stomachaches, as a compress for fevers, to stop diarrhea, as a
    physic, as a regulator of menstrual disorders, and for influenza.

-   The Washoe used white sage as a cooling, aromatic wash for
    headaches, colds, and coughs.

The lactone glycosides, santonin and artemisin, are probably found in
all *Artemisia* species and account for their anthelmintic properties
(Moore 1979). Thujone, a terpene-like ketone and essential oil, is also
found in the plant and may be responsible for some of its medicinal
effects (Kinscher 1992). However, it is poisonous in large doses. The
Food and Drug Administration classifies *Artemisia* as an unsafe herb
containing "a volatile oil which is an active narcotic poison" (Duke
1985).

*Wildlife & Livestock*: Sagebrush furnishes essential cover for many of
the smaller desert animals (Martin et al. 1951). Its foliage and flower
clusters constitute most of the diet of the sage grouse, and these parts
together with the twigs bearing them are the primary source of food for
antelope and mule deer. Range cattle also make good use of sagebrush as
forage. Other mammals, which browse the foliage and stems, include
jackrabbits, black-tailed rabbits, white-tailed rabbits, cottontails,
chipmunks, gophers, ground squirrels, and various species of mice,
prairie dogs, kangaroo rats, and white-throated wood rats. Elk and
mountain sheep also browse on the foliage and twigs.

## Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

## Description

*General*: Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). White sage is a white-woolly,
perennial herb 3-7 dm (1-2 1/4 ft) tall, with a strong odor of
sagebrush. The stems are erect and often clustered from creeping
rhizomes. The leaves are alternate, entire to irregularly toothed or
lobed, 3-11 cm (1.25-4.5 in) long, up to 1.5 cm (9/16 in) wide. Flower
heads are small tight greenish clusters among the leaves near the ends
of the stems. White sage flowers from August through September. The
fruits are dry, smooth, broadly cylindrical achenes. There are four
subspecies of *Artemisia ludoviciana* (Hickman 1993).

## Distribution

White sage occurs from east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and
Oregon, in California, north to eastern Canada, south to Texas and
northern Mexico, and in Montana, Utah, Colorado, and in the Great Plains
states. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

## Establishment

###### *Adaptation*: White sage grows in riparian areas along both perennial and intermittent streams, in the sagebrush steppe, in both shortgrass and tallgrass prairies, and in semi-disturbed sites. It grows on dry, sandy to rocky soils below 3500 m. 

Most of the wild sages are abundant in their natural habitats. White
sage and other *Artemisia* species can be propagated by seeds, by
division of the rootstock, or by cuttings taken in the early summer
(Kindscher 1992).

*Propagation from Cuttings*: *Artemisia ludoviciana* spreads vigorously
from rhizomes. Plants can easily be divided and replanted.

-   In greenhouse conditions, it is best to dig up and separate plants
    in late fall or winter. This is the "quiescent" period that follows
    seed maturation, and leaves are senescent (dried up and brown
    colored).

-   Split the plant clump into pieces by hand, then cut the plant into
    sections, each with one or more buds.

-   For dividing the whole plant, gently loosen the soil around the
    plant, taking care to not damage the roots, and then lift the plant
    gently with a pitchfork; shake off as much soil from the roots as
    possible.

-   Divide the plant into smaller pieces by hand, retaining only
    healthy, vigorous sections, each with new buds.

-   Replant the divisions as soon as possible. It is important the
    plants don't dry out, so if replanting is delayed a couple of hours,
    dip the plants briefly in water and keep them in a sealed plastic
    bag in a cool, shady place until you are ready to plant them.

-   Cut back the old top-growth and replant the divided plant sections
    to the same depth as before.

-   When replanting, ensure that the roots are well spread out in the
    planting hole and the plant firmed in. Water newly planted divisions
    thoroughly; take care not to expose the roots by washing away soil
    when watering.

-   Plants should be planted in the full sun in a light, loose soil.
    Plants should be planted on 12-18" centers.

-   As plants are becoming established, the rooting zone needs to be
    kept moist.

*Propagation by Seed*: When the soil has warmed to at least 45ºF (7ºC)
in the spring, sow hardy *Artemisia* species where they are to flowers.

-   Seeds can also be sown in pots or seed trays and either out-planted
    in their final positions in late fall or over-wintered in a cold
    frame to be out-planted in spring. This technique is particularly
    useful in gardens with clay soil that is slow to warm up in spring.

-   The two main methods of sowing outdoors are broadcast and drills.
    For both, prepare the seedbed first by digging over the soil to one
    spade depth, then rake over and firm.

-   Broadcast Sowing: Sprinkle seeds thinly and evenly on the surface of
    the prepared seedbed and rake them in lightly. Label the seedbeds,
    then water the area gently but thoroughly with a fine spray.

-   Sowing in drills: Use either a trowel tip or the corner of a hoe,
    mark out shallow drill holes 3-6" (8-15 cm) apart, depending on the
    ultimate size of the plant. Sow seeds thinly and evenly by
    sprinkling or placing them along each drill at the appropriate
    depth. Carefully cover with soil and pack firmly. Label each row and
    water gently but thoroughly with a fine spray.

-   To prevent overcrowding, the seedlings usually need to be thinned;
    to minimize disturbance to a seedling being retained, press the soil
    around it after thinning the adjacent seedlings.

-   Water the newly establishing seedlings fairly frequently until the
    roots have developed.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

'Silver Bouquet', 'Silver Frost', 'Silver King', 'Silver Queen', and
'Valerie Finnis' are several cultivars that have been used in varies
planting throughout the range of *Artemisia* *ludoviciana*. Consult your
local nurseries to choose the right cultivar for your specific
landscape. ARLU is available through your regional native plant
nursuries within the species range.

## References

Andros, F. 1883. *The medicine and surgery of the Winnebago and Dakota
Indians*. American Medical Association Journal 1:116-118.

Beichel, C., E. McDonald, & T. Cole (eds.) 1993. E*ncyclopedia of
gardening*. Dorling Kindersley. London, New York, & Stuttgart. 648 pp.

Carlson, G.G. & V.H. Jones 1939. *Some notes on use of plants by the
Comanche Indians*. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
25:517-543.

Chamberlin, R.V. 1909. *Some plant names of the Ute Indians*. American
Anthropologist 11:27-40.

Denig, E.T. 1855. *An account of medicine and surgery as it exists among
the Creek Indians.* St. Louis Medicinal and Surgical Journal 13:312-318.

Densmore, F. 1974. H*ow Indians use wild plants for food, medicine, and
crafts*. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 397 pp.

Duke, J.A. 1985. *CRC handbook of medicinal herbs*. CRC Press, Boca
Raton, Florida.

Dunbar, J.D. 1880. *The Pawnee Indians.* Magazine of American History
5(5):321-326.

Elmore, F.H. 1944. *Ethnobotany of the Navajo*. University of New
Mexico, Monographs of the School of American Research. Number 8.

Gilmore, M. 1913a. *A study in the Ethnobotany of the Omaha Indians*.
Nebraska State Historical Society 17:314-357.

Gilmore, M. 1913b. *Some native Nebraska plants with their uses by the
Dakota.* Nebraska State Historical Society Proceedings and Collections
17:358-370.

Gilmore, M. 1913c. *The aboriginal geography of the Nebraska Country*.
Mississippi Valley Historical Association Proceedings 6:317-331.

Gilmore, M.R. 1977 (1919). *Uses of plants by the Indians of the
Missouri River region*. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln
Nebraska. Reprint of a work first published as the 33^rd^ Annual Report
of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Washington, D.C.

Grinnell,G.B. 1962. T*he Cheyenne Indians*. 2 vols. Cooper Square
Publishers, New York, New York.

Hart, J. A. 1976. *Montana native plants and early peoples*. Montana
Historical Society, Helena, Montana.

Hartmann, H.T., D.E. Kesler, & F.T. Davies, Jr. 1990. *Plant propagation
principles and practices.* Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Hickman, J.C. (ed.)1993. *The Jepson manual higher plants of
California*. University of California Press. 1400 pp.

Jordan, J. A. 1965. *Ethnobotany of the Kiowa-Apache*. Master's Thesis,
University of Oklahoma.

Kindscher, K. 1992. *Medicinal wild plants of the prairie*. *An
ethnobotanical guide*. University Press of Kansas. 340 pp.

Kindscher, K. 1987. *Edible wild plants of the prairie*. University
Press of Kansas. 276 pp.

Kroeber, A.L. 1908. *The ethnology of the Gros Ventre*. American Museum
of Natural History, Anthropological Papers 1:145-281.

Martin, A.C., H.S. Zim, & A.L. Nelson 1951. *American wildlife and
plants. A guide to wildlife food habits.* Dover Publications, Inc., New
York, New York. 500 pp.

M^c^Clintock, W. 1909. *Materia medica of the Blackfeet*. Zeitschrift
fur Ethnologie: 273-279.

McGregor, R.L., T.M. Barkley, R.E. Brooks, & E.K. Schofield (eds.) 1991.
*Flora of the Great Plains*. Great Plains Flora Association. University
Press of Kansas. 1402 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. *Medicinal plants of Native American*. Research
Reports in Ethnobotany, Contribution 2, University of Michigan Museum of
Anthropology Technical Reports, Number 19. 534 pp.

Moore, M. 1979. *Medicinal plants of the mountain west*. Museum of New
Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Nickerson, G.S. 1966. *Some data on plains and great basin Indian uses
of certain native plants*. Tebiwa 9.1: 45-47.

Robbins, W., J.P. Harrington, & B. Freire-Marreco 1916. *Ethnobotany of
the Tewa*. Bulletin 5. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American
Ethnology. Washington, D.C.

Smith, H.H. 1928. *Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians*. Bulletin of the
Ojibwa Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee
4(3):327-325.

Thwaites, R.G. (ed.) 1904. *Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition*. 6 Vols. Dodd, Mead, and Company, New York, New York.

Vestal, P.A. & R.E. Schultes 1939. *The economic botany of the Kiowa
Indians*. Botanical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

#### 

## Prepared By

##### *Michelle Stevens*

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

*Warren Roberts*

Superintendent, Arboretum, University of California, Davis, California

#### 

## Species Coordinator

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis,
California

###### Edited 05dec00jsp; 17mar03 ahv; 30may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*