FROM HAVANA SÁMAGRI TO SAGE

Oct 11

4 min read

How Research on Medicinal Smoke Became a Claim About Sage

In 2007, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 114, Issue 3, 3 December 2007, Pages 446-451 released a study titled Medicinal smoke reduces airborne bacteria

Despite the study’s specific focus on “medicinal smoke, emanated by burning wood and a mixture of odoriferous and medicinal herbs (havan sámagri, i.e., material for oblation to fire),” platforms like LifeHack, Archive Today, Empower Magazine, Environmental Health Watch, used this study as the source to claim that burning “sage” kills 94% of airborne bacteria.”

Abstract for the Research on Medicinal Smoke. The study became a popular claim about sage in multiple media platforms, when the Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 114, Issue 3, 3 December 2007, Pages 446-451doesn't list sage used at all in the experiment. Full study available. — Abstract for the Research on Medicinal Smoke. The study became a popular claim about sage in multiple media platforms, when the *Journal of Ethnopharmacology* Volume 114, Issue 3, 3 December 2007, Pages 446-451doesn't list sage used at all in the experiment. Full study available.

Accurate reporting of scientific data is essential to maintaining public trust, scientific integrity, and informed decision-making. When media platforms misrepresent findings, they risk leading readers to not only burn the wrong materials, but are simultaneously promoting using an herb that is currently being over harvested. The Nature Serve Explorer reported:

“Poaching of White Sage for commercial sale of smudge sticks is an ongoing driver of population decline and extirpation throughout southern California and Baja California, Mexico. Poachers collect White Sage in the spring when it is blooming because it is easily visible, removing entire plants (R. Ramirez, pers. com., 2025). These practices not only prevent White Sage from recovering at the subpopulation and population levels but also remove a major food source for its specially adapted pollinators.”

The Nature Serve Explorer reported Sage in the G3 Vulnerable Conservation Status.

Even if readers who took the time to read the study, Science Feedback noted a design flaw in the experiment itself. Their review annotates a worthy complication that challenges the peer review process.

“The researchers burned the medicinal plant materials plus mango wood in a closed room for one hour.”

From a research perspective, the mixed herbs from havan sámagri, in addition to mango wood, complicate the findings. Because multiple herbs were burned simultaneously, it is difficult to determine which herb(s) from the havan sámagri were responsible for the cleared bacteria, and which were not. Further more, adding mango wood complicates isolating which materials had an affect on the antibacterial outcome.

The Science Feedback Review also quotes:

“Havan sámagri does not contain sage and was therefore not tested in the 2007 study.”

The study reports that the havan sámagri herb mixture included "Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae) wood; Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. (Zingiberaceae) rhizome; Aquilana malaccensis Lam. (Thymelaeaceae) wood; Aquilana agallocha.” Salvia officinalis also known as sage, was not listed among them.

So What studies Have Been Done With Sage?

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH does have a list of studies done with sage, but none pertain to the elimination of airborne bacteria.

Abdollahi A, Adelibahram F, Ghassab-Abdollahi N, et al. The effect of Salvia officinalis on blood glycemic indexes and blood lipid profile in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 2022;20(3):521-529.
Ahmad S, Ahmed SB, Khan A, et al. Natural remedies for Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Metabolic Brain Disease. 2023;38(1):17-44.
Kianbakht S, Abasi B, Perham M, et al. Antihyperlipidemic effects of Salvia officinalis L. leaf extract in patients with hyperlipidemia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2011;25(12):1849-1853.
Moradi M, Ghavami V, Niazi A, et al. The effect of Salvia officinalis on hot flashes in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery. 2023;11(3):169-178.
Sage. NatMed Pro website. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on October 16, 2024. [Database subscription].
Sage. Drugs and Lactation Database. (LactMed). [Internet]. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Updated August 15, 2024. Accessed at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501816 on October 16, 2024.
Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, et al. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology. 2008;198(1):127-139.

A Notable Idea for Further Research

Given that antibacterial affects of burning sage specifically remain inconclusive, an opportunity exists to conduct a more rigorous, controlled study to investigate the claim directly. By testing white sage under standardized conditions, researchers could determine weather it can measurably reduce airborne bacteria. Such research would help distinguish evidence from popular claims, and provide clear scientific applications of traditional indigenous medicine.

Support Indigenous-Led Conservations and Studies

Readers can help protect white sage by purchasing ethically cultivated plants from Indigenous-owned farms and businesses. Donate to tribal organizations working to preserve native plant habitats and support research to preserve indigenous medicine.

Amah Mutsun Relearning Garden: Financial support is needed to help develop the 54 acre Amah Mutsun Relearning Garden at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.