white sagebrush

A decoction of the leaves is used to treat indigestion and sore throat. An infusion of the dried leaves is used to treat pneumonia, colds, coughs and bronchitis. It is used both internally and externally to treat rheumatism. A poultice of the crushed plant is used on open wounds, and a decoction of the leaves is used as an antiseptic wash for cuts, wounds | Cheyenne: Tea used for stomach issues and fevers. | Arapaho: Tea used for stomach issues and fevers. | Kiowa: Used for stomach ailments and fevers.

Crushed leaves used as snuff for headaches. Additional commentary: The leaves of this sage were crushed and used as a snuff for sinus attacks, nosebleeds, and headaches. More importantly, is this sage’s role in ceremonies and as a general purifying plant. In almost every ceremonial lodge, it was spread along the floor and the leaves burned as incense. In this capacity it would drive away bad spirits, and dark dreams; it would sometimes be mixed with Actaea rubra to accomplish this task. In purification, its smoke would be spread over people, utensils, or through a space. Contrary warriors relied on it to purify people or horses that had been accidentally touched by their special lances, or to cleanse the soil when they left a lodge. If a person had broken a taboo, s/he might be wiped clean of it with a bundle of this sage. Beds of sage were stood and rested upon in the Sun Dance, from which the dancers would draw power. It was used to prevent thirst in the Sun Dance by wrapping it around the eagle bone whistles, and offerings of food were made to the spirits in this ceremony from bits of sage that had been dipped in the food. It was used to paint the dancers and again to wipe the paint off. In battles, shields would be passed ritualistically through its smoke. In the aforementioned ceremony to allay the fear of thunder, a half circle of sage would be spread around the thunder-resistant juniper tree and upon which the person walked during the ceremony, drawing forth a sacred blessing. According to Northern Cheyenne elders, a person in a sweat lodge would dip a leafy stem in water, sprinkle some water on the hot rocks, and the branch would be whipped upon the participants’ bodies. In a peyote ceremony, petitioners rub sage on their bodies to keep them from getting sick. These days, according to Mary Fisher of the Northern Cheyenne, hunters wipe their rifles with sage for much the same reasons. Grinnell indicates its ceremonial use, referring to man sage as A.gnaphalodes, and Moerman additionally indicates its use as a respiratory aid.120

Crushed leaves used as snuff for nosebleeds

Crushed leaves used as snuff for sinus attacks

Plants rubbed on the body for immunity to sickness

Plant used to drive away bad or ominous dreams.

Poultice of chewed leaves and applied to sores.

Leaves chewed for sore throats. Leaves chewed for sore throats.