Latin Name: Salvia officinalis
Key Elements: Water Balancer, Digestive Aide & Antiseptic
Edible, External Use, Internal Use
Garden Sage is a common perennial garden herb easy to identify with its wrinkled looking, aromatic leaves. This herb is found in nearly every kitchen cupboard, but should also be in every medicine cabinet.
The Latin word Salvia means “to heal” or “Saviour”. Historically, Sage was a meat preservative and it was believed to enhance memory and wisdom. It was once said that if Sage thrived, it was an indication the business owner was prosperous too. Sage is a good companion plant for rosemary, cabbage and carrots.
How to grow: Started plants, root cuttings, layering older plants.
Safety: Limit usage if nursing.
Taste: Bitter, warm, oily and drying, astringent.
Harvest: June-October. Spring, summer, fall
Parts used: Leaves.
Preparations: Food, infusion, tincture, poultice, oil, salve.
Medicinal Uses:
Digestive support for the weak
Stimulates appetite
Improves digestion and absorption of dietary fats
Liver tonic, stimulates bile
Helpful for chronic diarrhea including coli, dysentery, food poisoning
Helps cardiovascular and circulatory function
Used as a simple sore throat remedy
Use at onset of cold and flu symptoms, tonsillitis, swollen glands, laryngitis, sinus congestion or dripping, post nasal drip, canker sores, fevers, chest infections.
A powerful remedy for regulating water balance (either too much water or not enough)
Known to reduce perspiration, bladder infections.
Traditionally used for night sweats, hot flashes
Regulates and may improve hormone function for men and women
Good for drying up mother’s milk
Use a poultice for sprains and swellings, cuts, wounds, burns, sunburn, sores, ulcers.
Rebuilds strength and vitality
Good elderly remedy
May help bleeding gums
Used as a breath freshener
Well known hair tonic
Herbal Actions:
Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-galactic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Carminative, Immunostimulant.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.