English
White Sage
Latin
Artemisia ludoviciana
Anishinaabemowin
Nookwezigan (soothing grandmother medicine), bebezhigooganzhii-wiingashk; waabani-wiingashk
Physical Description
White sage is a species associated with dry to mesic prairies. It is more common than prairie safe, and has elongated leaves that are whitened and hairy on both sides, and not divided like prairie sage. In addition to growing in patches in prairie remnants, this species also grows along roadsides and railroad right-of-ways, reaching a height of 2 to 3 feet. White sage flowers in August and develops seeds as late as mid-October. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Uses & Preparation
The Ojibwa used the smoke of the leaves for spiritual purification, as a cure for "bad medicine and as a medicine for horses. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Sources
Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993