Herbalist Suggests Smokeless Sage Alternatives for Holiday Hosts

Holiday gatherings often create tension between maintaining family traditions and preserving personal comfort in one's home. Jackie Zykan, a maître liquiste, perfumer, and herbalist, advises hosts to use sage to manage this stress without relying on smoky rituals.

Zykan distinguishes between the two main types of sage used in households. She notes that culinary sage, known as Salvia officinalis, is a relative of white sage, or Salvia apiana. She warns readers not to unwrap dried smudge sticks from gift shops to use in cooking. The smudge stick is designed for burning, and it may contain compounds that are not intended for ingestion.

The herbalist suggests that sage functions as a tool for mental clarity rather than a magical fix for difficult relatives. She describes the effect as helping a host respond to guests from a higher perspective. This approach allows the host to view intrusive family members with grace, reducing the feeling of being drained by the visit.

For those who dislike the smell of burning herbs, Zykan lists several smokeless ways to incorporate the plant. Options include cooking with fresh leaves, diffusing sage essential oil, or creating a room spray. She also suggests using sage hand soap in guest bathrooms or adding sage oil to dishwashing liquid after meals.

Visual elements can also play a role in the practice. Zykan recommends using sage-colored linens or napkins to set the tone for the space. She emphasizes the importance of treating the plant as an ally rather than a tool. Her guidance is to invite the plant into the home and acknowledge its presence with gratitude, similar to how one might treat a helpful guest.

Zykan encourages readers to combine sage with other plants to enhance the atmosphere of the home. She suggests adding rosemary to help clear negative energy. Lavender is recommended to bring a sense of calm to the space. Citrus elements can be used to fill the cleared area with positive spirits.