Sage
(Salvia officinalis L., Labiatae)
Also Called: Garden Sage, Red Sage.
Description: Sage is a decorative evergreen shrub with downy
foliage that varies in colour from grey to grey-green, with one variety producing
deep purple leaves.
The camphor scented, purple-blue flowers, which appear in mid-summer are exceptionally
attractive.
Plants can reach a height of 2 feet with a spread of 18 inches.
Undershrub 20-60cm (8-24in) high, the lower part woody, the upper part of square
stems covered with felted hairs.
Leaves 3-10cm (1-4in) long and 1.5-5cm (0.6-2in) broad, opposite, ovate and
elongated, greenish-grey, with felted hairs.
Flowers light blue to violet-blue, 2-3cm (0.8-1 in) long with a short upper
lip; arranged in axillary whorls of 4-8 flowers.
Part Used: Leaves, fresh or dried, essential oil.
Habitat, Cultivation and Collection: Indigenous in Mediterranean
countries on rocky terrains.
Widely cultivated in kitchen gardens.
Grown commercially, from seed or root cuttings, planted 30 x 30cm (12 x 12in),
preferring calcareous soils.
The leaves are collected when the plant is in flower (June-July) and again
in September-October.
They are dried in the shade at less than 35 C. Yield: 15-40kg (33-881b) per
acre (120 sq yd).
Constituents and Action: Volatile oil, tannin.
In small doses sage is anti-inflammatory, especially for mucosa; it is mildly
diuretic and also checks excessive perspiration.
Leaves - antispasmodic,
antiseptic, astringent, carminative, healing to mucosa, bile stimulant,
lowers blood sugar levels, peripheral vasodilator, suppresses perspiration.
reduces salivation and lactation, uterine stimulant, systemically antibiotic;
Essential oil - antiseptic, antispasmodic,
astringent, hypertensive, stimulant, encourages menstrual flow, antioxidant
Because of its tannin content it is anti-inflammatory and astringent.
Because of its antiseptic qualities, sage tea is used as a gargle for a
sore throat.
There's also compelling new research indicating that sage may be of value
to people with diabetes. Laboratory studies indicate that sage may boost insulin's
action.
Sage was among 24 herbs tested that were found to boost insulin activity two
to fivefold or more in patients with Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.
For people who have diabetes, this means that drinking sage tea in conjunction
with their insulin treatments is worth a try.
Sage is traditionally associated with longevity and there are numerous legends telling of long-lived princes who regularly downed cups of sage tea, while an old country rhyme tells us that "...he who drinks sage in May, shall live for aye".
Like many folkloric traditions this is yet another that modern research is verifying: sage extracts have successfully improved performance and lifespan of elderly rats at the Institute of Gerontology in Budapest and the research is now extending to humans.
The plant is known to contain powerful anti-oxidants which can combat the ageing of cells. It is also rich in oestrogen so could almost be regarded as an early, and very gentle, form of hormone replacement therapy.
Sage also dries up body fluids which, combined with its hormonal action, makes it deal for relieving night sweats at the menopause and for drying up milk in lactating mothers on weaning. The plant has anUaffinit with the throat and makes an excellent gargle and mouth wash for minor infections and inflammations.
The purple variety (S. ofcinolis Purpurascens
Group) is often preferred by herbalists, although other cultivar display
similar properties.
Use in a tea for indigestion, drink a cup regularly as
a tonic to combat the effects of old age.
In many parts of Europe, sage ointment
is favourite standby for minor cuts and insect bites.
In China the roots of a related plant, Salvia miltiorhiza known as Dan Shen,
are used as a cooling sedative and energy tonic which will also stimulate
blood flow.
Usage:To make a tea, pour a cup of boiling water over one
to two teaspoons of dried leaves and steep for ten minutes.
If you have diabetes, it would be a good idea to discuss using sage with your
doctor.
For sore throat, allow the tea to cool till warm, then gargle as needed.
As an infusion (1 litre (1.75pt) of cold water on
1-2 tablespoonfuls of finely chopped leaves, raise to the boil and allow to
stand).
As a mouthwash and gargle for inflammation of the mouth and throat (tonsillitis,
inflamed gums);
As a lotion or in compresses for wounds; internally taken to reduce night
sweats of tuberculosis patients; More rarely as a diuretic, anti-diarroeal,
or to stimulate biliary secretion.
Culinary use of the fresh leaves is as a spice with meats, fish, etc.
CAUTION: Large doses are toxic, increasing blood flow to the abdominal organs and possibly harmful to the central nervous system.
Culinary Uses: Use in sauces and stuffings for fatty meats such as goose, duck, pork and sausage.
In Italy, the fresh leaves are lightly fried with liver, and rolled up with ham and veal in saltimbocca.
In Germany and Belgium, the leaves are added to eel and other oily fish dishes.
In Middle Eastern countries the leaves are used liberally in salads.
Cosmetic Uses: Leaves can be strewn in bathwater and in rinsewater to enhance dark hair.
Other Uses: Dark sage leaves are an attractive addition to potpourri.
Cultivation: Sage prefers a sunny location with alkaline
soil. It grows best in a warm climate.
Propagate from summer cuttings taken with a heel or by layering established
branches in spring and fall.
Seed is unreliable and slow to flower. Keep the plant well pruned to encourage
young shoots with a strong flavour.
Pruning also keeps the plants from becoming leggy and twiggy.
