Sage

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.

July 31, 2000

TAKE CARE! If you are pregnant, do not use a medicinal dose of sage in any form. As a culinary herb, however, sage is safe.

      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 (in zone 5). I planted it in a raised bed in 1997, 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.
      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.
      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.

      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.

      Sage can be used as a remedy for respiratory infections, nasal congestions, coughs, tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also a stimulant for appetite, relieves indigestion and has a beneficial effect on the liver. It's given for night sweats, nervous sweating and kidney and urinary-tract problems. Some women also find that it helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

      Sage contains abundant essential oils. These provide it with the mucus-thinning and antiseptic properties that make it ideal for a gargle, wound dressing and vaginal rinse. Sage's bitter constituents relieve digestive difficulties with their appetite-stimulating effects and work to strengthen the constitution overall.

Medicinal Uses

For inflamed throats and sore gums
      Sage tea makes an excellent rinse and gargle for all infections of the mouth and throat because of its disinfecting essential oils and astringent tannins. You'll find that it will quickly relieve the discomfort of a sore throat, It will also soothe painful, inflamed gums, canker sores and irritated larynx and vocal cords.

For menstrual difficulties
      For those with irregular bleeding or extremely light periods, drinking sage tea will make a difference.

For excessive sweating
      Sage tea reduces secretions of the sweat glands and thus can alleviate night sweats, hot flashes during menopause and stress-related nervous perspiration. Drink 3 cups daily, preferably after meals; save 1 cup for bedtime if you're troubled by night sweats. Check with your physician first to make sure the night sweats are not a symptom of any disease.

To inhibit milk production
      Sage inhibits milk production by the mammary glands. Drink 1-2 cups of sage tea daily for a few days after your baby is weaned to help stop the flow of milk.

As a bath for skin disorders
      If you have itchy, weeping skin eruptions that do not heal, a bath containing a wound-purifying, astringent sage infusion may help. Steep 5 tbsp. of dried sage leaves in a quart of water for 20 min. Strain the infusion into the bathwater. Make sure you take this bath 2-3 times weekly.

As a breath freshener
      Fresh sage leaves have been used traditionally as a breath freshener. Pick a leaf off a plant, and use it as you would use a toothbrush: Rub the leaf over your teeth and tongue. This simple procedure will cool and refresh your mouth and help sweeten your breath.

As a plaque remover
      When you brush your teeth, add some crushed sage leaves (use a mortar to crush the leaves) directly to your toothpaste. Because sage is a powerful antiseptic, it helps remove plaque, and acts as a disinfectant and strengthens bleeding gums.

Sage Tea
      Pour 1 cup of hot water over 2 tsp. of fresh or 1 tsp. of dried sage; cover and steep for 10 minutes. Make sure that the water is not boiling when you pour it over the leaves; otherwise, the potent essential oils contained in the sage will vaporize. Drink one to two cups of the tea daily, or use the warm infusion as a gargle.
Sage vinegar
      Fill a bottle loosely with sage leaves and add wine vinegar (not distilled).

Sage pillow
      Fill a small pillow with dried sage leaves for a relaxing sleep.

Drops and Tincture
      Many herbal cough drops contain sage. Use the tincture to make a gargle.

Sage oil
      Dilute the essential oil in water or massage oil; never use undiluted.

Spice
      Spread the sage leaves out to dry, but avoid direct sunlight.

• 1¼ oz. sage leaves
• 2/3 oz. horsetail
• 1/3 oz. valerian root

• 1 oz. sage leaves
• ¾ oz. fennel seeds

• 1 oz. sage leaves
• 1 oz. peppermint leaves
• 1 oz. lemon balm leaves
• 1 oz. bitter-orange peel

• Sage is burned to cleanse everything from the room to your body and mind. Worn, it guards against the evil eye. It promotes wisdom and long life, and makes wishes come true. It was thought that sage could be conjured into a blackbird. If you could get the blackbird to fly into your hearthfire, you could create a gorgeous rainbow with horrible thunder.
        To ensure longevity, you must eat some of the plant every day, or at least in May, for:
  
  He who would live for aye
  Must eat sage in May.
  
• The leaves are used in countless healing and money spells. There are a few curious gardening tips concerning sage: first, it is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden; a stranger should be found to do the work. Second, a full bed of sage brings ill luck, so ensure that some other plant shares the plot. Incidentally, toads love sage.
• If you desire to make a wish come true, write it on a sage leaf and hide it beneath your pillow. For three nights sleep upon it. If once you dream of what you desire your wish will be materialized; if not, bury the sage in the ground so that you do not come to harm.

This article has been previously published at Suite101.com.

Sources:
      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; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D