“Unfortunately, white sage is difficult to grow in captivity and is largely wild-crafted, which threatens native populations and since it's really not part of European-based traditions, we really don't need it. Our European spiritual ancestors burned a lot of different herbs in their practices, but white sage was not among them. If you feel the need to use sage, garden sage is a suitable substitute. Indeed, most Salvia species can be burned by the non-Indigenous witch and we can leave white sage to those to whom it is truly sacred. If you must have it, try to grow it yourself.”
http://www.witchipedia.com/herb:sage#toc0
... And then this one mentions Indigenous practises being “borrowed” which is *eyeroll* but here is some info for Euro-descendent witches who are appropriating Indigenous practises :
“In Europe plants that were traditionally used in smoke purification included vervain, mugwort, pine and juniper. Often herbs were dried as loose leaf and burned on charcoal or thrown onto fires; vervain and mugwort work better dried as loose leaves. For pine and juniper small branchlets can be dried and used as smudge sticks. Rosemary also works well this way.” http://networkmagazine.ie/articles/smudging-rekindling-ancient-traditions
Mugwort is amazing. I’m sure a little more digging (this “research” took less than 10 minutes) would reveal even more accessible Euro practises.
If you have been a helper to an Indigenous traditional Elder or invested a lot of time learning a tradition from an Indigenous mentor, taking the time and paying respect through reciprocity protocols, and they have passed on knowledge of plants such as sage and sweetgrass to you and encouraged you to use it, even gifted you with it, that sounds respectful. If you have been privileged enough to have these experiences be humble about them and remember that if you are Euro you are never under any circumstances entitled to BIPOC cultural traditions and medicines.
Please be mindful that these traditions have been coopted and watered down by commercial interests looking to capitalize on Indigenous customs and medicines. They are NOT BORROWED; they are taken without permission and often without any protocol, and without any of the original teachings. This can slowly erode the cultural meaning of the tradition from its origin when the appropriators have more hegemonic power and are dominant in the society plunked on top of “borrowed” (stolen) land.