This particular sage is cherished and it is highly prized by indigenous Native American community for smudging and spiritual practices. Black Sage (Humming Bird) is believed to pull your consciousness towards other realms. Used within pathworking, divination, and dream work as well as cleansing and purification, it is also quite popular in the form of a smudge bundle and is used by those who are seeking spiritual journeys.
This particular sage species is an excellent culinary herb, smoking mix, tea, and has a great heavenly sage scent. It is believed that chewing the leaves of black sage helps relieve one of gas and sweetens breath. It is touted and many believe it is effective for restoring hormonal balance, relieving pain and dealing with hot flashes and night sweats.
In the garden, black sage is planted mainly because of the sweet scent of the flowers and leaves. It is also common to see it planted in places where the ground is bare as it flourishes fast to cover wide areas. The dried leaves are also commonly used in making incense and potpourri. The leaves are a great repellant for certain bugs and insects. Naturally, black sage flourishes in USDA zones seven to ten and it will thrive in sandy soils that have a neutral pH also in clay soils that are pebbly. Full sunshine is best but will also do ok in partial shade.
The plant usually needs very little to no special care. It will however not survive the extremely wet conditions that are characteristic of winters. During this time, it is advisable to drain the soil regularly. The best time to start black sage seeds in a nursery is usually March to April. After the seeds have germinated, you can then transplant them to the outside. If you are planning to grow it in zone seven, it is strongly advised that you keep it in the greenhouse until it is one year old. Alternatively, you can buy year old plants.
Black sage is an amazing addition to the garden. It is a great way of getting cover for bare areas. The fragrance also makes your garden refreshing. It is however important to note that due to the sweet scent and nectar, black sage attracts several types of animals to the garden. These include honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Whether you need sage for its spiritual, medicinal value or just aesthetic use, it is quite easy to grow or get ready plants from professional gardeners around the country.
It is important to note that not all of the medicinal uses of black sage are approved by the FDA. Make sure you get expert medical opinion before you try and use the herb for self-medication.