California Sagebrush

California sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

Having grown up in coastal southern California in the 1960s. before urban development took over, I’ve always had a special affinity to the fragrant coastal sage scrub that carpeted the hills there. The coastal sage scrub natural community has since become quite rare in southern California, and is declining in Baja California as well. Coastal sage scrub is found on the Punta Banda peninsula and thrives off the moisture of the sea mist that often shrouds the local hills.

One of the most dominant plant species defining the coastal sage scrub natural community is California sagebrush (Artemesia California), which gives the hills that distinctive sage-like fragrance, even though it is not a true sage (true sages are in the genus Salvia).

The genus Artemisia was named by Carl Linnaeus (father or modern taxonomy) in 1753, and the name is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis. Many Artemisia species have aromatic leaves and are valued for their essential oils, which are used in herbal medicines and perfumes. The genus includes Artemisia dranunculus, better known as the common culinary herb tarragon; and Artemisia absinthium, which is wormwood, historically used for beverages such as absinthe.

Local indigenous people have used California sagebrush in a number of ways. Leaves have been used as poultices for toothaches, wounds, and applied to the back to treat asthma. Decoctions have been made from California sagebrush for menstrual problems, to ease childbirth, and for menopausal symptoms. Decoctions have also been used in baths for colds, rheumatism, and coughs. Hunters used to rub themselves with sagebrush to disguise their human scent, and the leaves were sometimes dried and smoked, mixed with tobacco.  The plan is sometimes used in ceremonies, burned with white sage (Salvia apiana).  

Enjoy the fragrance of California sagebrush when you walk the local hills and please be mindful of the rarity and vulnerability of the coastal sage scrub natural community before considering any harvesting of this native shrub.