Sage Salvia officinalis
A remedy for restlessness, night sweats, angina and inflammation. Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White. Although garden sage is probably best known as an ingredient in poultry stuffing, this herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages, it was thought to promote longevity. One legend even says its healing effect comes from the Virgin Mary. I am not much of a gardener, at least half of the plants I buy don't survive the season. Therefore I can confidently state that sage is a hardy plant. I planted it in a raised bed three years ago, and it is still alive! I harvest it twice a year; at Lughnasad (August 1), and again at Mabon (September 21). I don't have a lot of space, so I bundle my harvest with twine and hang it from a basement rafter to dry, and leave it there til needed. The leaves can also be dried by spreading them out on a table or on brown paper. Plant Facts: Sage can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, and gives off a powerful, distinctive fragrance reminiscent of camphor, it is particularly noticeable on sunny days, because its essential oils are drawn out by the sun and evaporate into the air. It is a thickly-branching, shrub-like plant which produces dense shoots with velvety gray-green leaves. Sage does best when planted in sandy, well-drained soil in a sunny location. Origin: Sage is a native of the Mediterranean, originating on the island of Crete. It now thrives in the U.S. Its name comes from the Latin salvare, which roughly translates as "to rescue" or "to heal," its botanical name, Salvina officinalis, is derived from the Latin word salvus, meaning "healthy," and refers to the plant's curative powers. Components: The essential oils in sage include thujone, camphor, and eucalyptol. The leaves also contain tannins (such as rosmarinic acid) which improve resistance to infection, flavanoids, bitter compounds (which stimulate digestive secretions), and substances with an antiperspirant and estrogen-like effect. These essential oils give sage its antiseptic and astringent properties.
A remedy for restlessness, night sweats, angina and inflammation. Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White. Although garden sage is probably best known as an ingredient in poultry stuffing, this herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages, it was thought to promote longevity. One legend even says its healing effect comes from the Virgin Mary. I am not much of a gardener, at least half of the plants I buy don't survive the season. Therefore I can confidently state that sage is a hardy plant. I planted it in a raised bed three years ago, and it is still alive! I harvest it twice a year; at Lughnasad (August 1), and again at Mabon (September 21). I don't have a lot of space, so I bundle my harvest with twine and hang it from a basement rafter to dry, and leave it there til needed. The leaves can also be dried by spreading them out on a table or on brown paper. Plant Facts: Sage can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, and gives off a powerful, distinctive fragrance reminiscent of camphor, it is particularly noticeable on sunny days, because its essential oils are drawn out by the sun and evaporate into the air. It is a thickly-branching, shrub-like plant which produces dense shoots with velvety gray-green leaves. Sage does best when planted in sandy, well-drained soil in a sunny location. Origin: Sage is a native of the Mediterranean, originating on the island of Crete. It now thrives in the U.S. Its name comes from the Latin salvare, which roughly translates as "to rescue" or "to heal," its botanical name, Salvina officinalis, is derived from the Latin word salvus, meaning "healthy," and refers to the plant's curative powers. Components: The essential oils in sage include thujone, camphor, and eucalyptol. The leaves also contain tannins (such as rosmarinic acid) which improve resistance to infection, flavanoids, bitter compounds (which stimulate digestive secretions), and substances with an antiperspirant and estrogen-like effect. These essential oils give sage its antiseptic and astringent properties.
 |
 |
The copyright of the article Medicinal Plants - Sage in Herbal Lore is owned by . Permission to republish Medicinal Plants - Sage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Ellen Lord's Herbal Lore topic, please visit the Discussions page.