Sage Benefits – One Herb, Many Uses

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. Salvia (sage) is the largest member of the mint family, containing over 900 species throughout the world.

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Salvia has been held in high regard throughout history both for its culinary and medicinal properties. Its reputation as a panacea is even represented in its scientific name, Salvia officinalis, derived from the Latin word, salvere, which means “to be saved.”

Sage is one of my must-have herbs, definitely on my top five list. The more I explore and begin to understand herbs, the more I love and appreciate them. I realize herbs were put on this planet for a purpose. It is our responsibility to discover that purpose and apply it to our lives so it can benefit us and those we care about.

Tips for Growing Sage

• Sage flourishes in a sunny, sandy, well-drained, neutral spot in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7
• The plant is an evergreen perennial shrub in zones 5-8. In zones below 5 and above 8, it is considered an annual because it cannot survive all year in the growing conditions.
• Encourage air circulation with mulch and pebbles to help keep the area around the leaves dry
• Prune plants back in early spring every year, cutting out the oldest growth in order to promote new growth
• Replace plant every 4-5 years
• Sage can be grown indoors in a sunny window. To read more about indoor growing, visit Gardening Know How – Growing Sage Indoors.

Cooking with Sage

Both Roman and Greek civilizations used sage as a preservative for meat, a tradition that continued until the beginning of refrigeration. What these cultures knew from experience, that this herb could help to reduce spoilage, is now being confirmed by science. Researchers have isolated the sage's numerous terpene antioxidants, which protect oils from oxidation and prevent rancidity.

Sage has a fragrant aroma and an astringent but warm flavor. Today it is typically used in:

• Stuffing, Sausages, Poultry and Fish
• Vegetable dishes, especially with beans
• As a garnish in herb salads
• Season Mixes

Easy Sage Recipes

Sage Salt

Makes a great gourmet gift!

Ingredients

½ Cup Sea Salt (or any coarse salt)
¼ Cup Fresh Sage (chopped fine)

Directions

Mix together and spread out on a cookie sheet with a lip edge and bake on 200 * for 25-35 minutes until nice and dry.

You can place Sage Salt in a food processor until fine for use in a salt shaker or leave coarse.

Making your own vitamin water is very cost effective not to mention your guest(s) and children will love them!

Medicinal Uses for Sage

In medicinal lore, sage has one of the longest histories of use of any medicinal herb.

Health benefits of sage (short list):

• Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-septic properties
• Increased intake of sage as a seasoning in food is recommended for persons with inflammatory conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis)
• Bronchial Asthma
• Alzheimer's Disease- improves memory
• Cold Sores
• Throat Infections
• Typhoid
• Gastrointestinal Issues
• Beneficial for memory disorders. Sage has been used for centuries as restoratives of lost or declining mental functions such as in Alzheimer’s disease
• Rich source of several B-complex groups of vitamins such as folate, thiamin, pyridoxine and riboflavin many times higher than the recommended daily level
• Contains very good amounts of vitamin-A and beta-carotene levels. Fresh sage leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C

And the list goes on………

Sage Tea for Sore Throats

• 1 Cup Boiling Water
• 3 Tbsp. Fresh Sage (rinse off and pat dry) or 1 Tbsp. Dried Sage

Pour water over sage leaves and let steep for 10 minutes, strain and add honey and lemon if desired. Drink or gargle tea.

Note:  A strong cup of Sage Tea can help relieve a nervous headache.

Sage Tincture

• Fresh Sage (the amount you will need depends on the size of the jar you use. Fill jar ¾ full with sage)
• Vodka (you can use vegetable glycerin in place of vodka)
• Glass jar with lid

Instructions

Wash and pat sage dry (thoroughly)
Place sage in clean glass jar ¾ of the way full
Pour vodka (or glycerin) over sage until it is completely covered with ½” above sage.
Cover tightly and place in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Shake the jar every couple days to help with the infusion.
Strain and pour tincture in a dark glass jar, preferably with a dropper, and store in a dark place.

You can gargle with sage tincture or take 5-10 drops twice daily at the first sign of a cold or use to treat sore throats. The phenolic acids in sage are particularly potent against Staphylococcus.

*Note: Mothers who are nursing should avoid consuming sage because it can decrease milk flow

For treating Alzheimer’s disease, 1 gram of sage per day is recommended. See webmd for more info on using sage for Alzheimer's treatment.

Another way to use sage is in a smudge stick, which is a bundle of dried herbs that is burned to help purify the air and kill airborne bacteria. You can learn how to make a smudge stick in the “How to Get Rid of Unpleasant Smells” section of the DIY emergency potty post.

Disclaimer: All material in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice on any subject matter. Please see a healthcare professional if symptoms are acute or persistent.

You may also enjoy:

• The Best Herbs and Spices for Colds and Flus
• Herbal Remedies for PMS
• How to Infuse Herbs in Oil, Water, Vinegar, Alcohol or Honey

This is a guest post by Amber Bradshaw of The Coastal Homestead. Amber is a environmentalist, garden and outdoor enthusiast. She is a wife, mother of three (20 yr old son, 13 yr old daughter and 2 yr old daughter), Owns a contracting business with her husband, is President of the local Herb Society, and a 4-H Leader. Amber strives to get back into nature with a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle that fits a busy schedule and a tight budget.

She lives on the east coast with her family on a little over 1/4 acre and encourages others to do big things with small spaces. 

When not out in the garden you can find her sharing her latest homestead tips at The Coastal Homestead, on facebook, or on Pinterest.

Sources

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-sage.html
http://www.almanac.com/plant/sage
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-504-sage.aspx?activeingredientid=504&activeingredientname=sage
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=76