Sage: Discovering the Wisdom of Ancient Smokeable Varieties

Sage is not one plant. Salvia is a genus of more than 900 species, and the differences between them matter more than with almost anything else we blend.

The ones you'll encounter

Garden sage (Salvia officinalis), native to the Mediterranean and the one in your spice rack. White sage (Salvia apiana), native to the southwestern US and Mexico, central to smudging practice in a number of Native American traditions. Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) and clary sage (Salvia sclarea) turn up too, mostly ornamentally and in oils.

An important caution

Not every sage is suitable for smoking. Many Salvia species contain thujone at varying levels, a compound with known toxicity concerns at higher doses. Garden sage and white sage are the two that appear in smoking blends with any regularity. If you're gathering or buying sage to smoke, know which species you have. This is not a genus to guess with.

Worth knowing separately: Salvia divinorum is a different plant entirely, unrelated to what we use, and it is a controlled substance in a number of states. Ours is common garden sage.

Taste and smoke

Aromatic and somewhat astringent, earthy in a way that reads as forest rather than field. Each species carries its own nuance. Sage is assertive and holds its own against almost anything.

What to pair it with

Lavender and rosemary both stand up to it. Softer herbs tend to disappear underneath.

In our blends

Sage is in Dream Worker, with blue lotus, chamomile, licorice root, mugwort, mullein and spearmint. Also as a loose blend.

Tea Tokes blends are tobacco-free and nicotine-free. 21+.