Sage

Sage (garden sage)
Salvia officinalis

	General Description Sage is an herb from an evergreen shrub, Salvia officinalis, in the mint family. Its long, grayishgreen leaves take on a velvety, cottonlike texture when rubbed (meaning ground lightly and passed through a coarse sieve).
	Geographical Sources Sage is grown in the United States. It also is grown in Dalmatia and Albania.
	Traditional Ethnic Uses Sage enhances pork, lamb, meats, and sausages. Chopped leaves flavor salads, pickles, and cheese. It is one of the most popular herbs in the United States.
Taste and Aroma Sage has a fragrant aroma and an astringent but warm flavor.
History/Region of Origin The name "Sage" comes from the Latin word “salia,” meaning “to save.” Greeks and Romans used it to cure snake bites and to invigorate the mind and body. In the Middle Ages, people drank Sage in tea and used Sage to treat colds, fevers, liver trouble, and epilepsy. Although Sage is no longer used medicinally, it has become one of the world's most popular herbs.
Culinary Ideas Crumble leaves for full fragrance. Use ground Sage sparingly; foods absorb its flavor more quickly than leaf Sage. Sage is a wonderful flavor enhancer for seafood, vegetables, breadsticks, cornbreads, muffins, and other savory breads. Top swordfish, tuna, steaks, chicken, and turkey pieces with Sagelemon butter. Rub Sage, cracked pepper, and garlic into pork tenderloin or chops before cooking.

Botanical Classification Family Lamiaceae Genus and specie Salvia officinalis Other names True Sage, garden sage, meadow sage and common sage. Description of the herb sage Sage is a shrubby, evergreen perennial shrub with pale green leaves. Flowers are borne in summer. Parts used The leaves and essential oil are used. Properties Sage is an astringent, antiseptic, tonic herb, with a camphor-like aroma.Sage relaxes spasms, suppresses perspiration and lactation, improves liver function and digestion and has anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and estrogenic effects. It contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenes and an essential oil which contains a-thujone, camphor, 1,8-ceneole and other monoterpenes. Therapeutic uses Internal use Sage is used internally to treat indigestion and flatulence. It is also used to reduce excessive lactation in nursing mothers and night sweats (especially in menopause), excessive salivation, profuse perspiration, anxiety, depression, female sterility and menopausal problems. It also has supportive properties for the liver and is used to boost the functionality of the liver. External use Externally, it can be used for insect bites, throat, mouth, gum and skin infections, as well as vaginal discharge. It contains rosmarinic acid that has good antioxidant properties, which are reinforced by the picrosalvin also found in sage. Furthermore it has antimicrobial and antiviral effects and is often used in hair care to combat greasy and oily hair by regulating the sebum production of the scalp. It is used to treat various skin problems, such as acne. Aromatherapy and essential oil use Using small amounts, it lightens a tired mind and fights depression and grief. It must be used with great care, since high amounts can cause problems. It is useful to the digestive system, increasing appetitive, balancing the female hormone estrogen and easing dull aches and pains. Very useful for regulating the menstrual cycle, as well as reducing night sweats during menopause. On the skin, it is useful to refine the texture, for wound healing, as well as to clear up sores, ulcers and dermatitis. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, Hypertensive, laxative, stomachic and tonic properties. Safety precautions and warnings The herb should not be used at high dosage or for long periods, as toxicity can occur. It should not be used by pregnant women. The essential oil of sage contains high amounts of thujone, which can work as an abortifacient and is therefore best avoided in pregnancy. People suffering from epilepsy and high blood pressure should also not use this oil.