For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (S) Sage

While sage is a splendid seasoning for meats, soups and Thanksgiving stuffing, its usefulness extends well-beyond the kitchen. In ancient cultures around the world, sage was a highly esteemed medicinal herb.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a semi-woody, perennial shrub in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. This species is native to the Mediterranean region, and it is the one you would most likely find as a fresh herb at your supermarket, or plant in your herb garden. It has cousins with some overlapping medicinal properties — including red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) from East Asia and white sage (Salvia apiana) from southwestern US — as well as more ornamental relatives.

This sensageonal bloom brought welcome color to my garden in late spring. (Image: Ila Bonczek for Vision Times)

Both the genus and species names hint at the plant’s healing capacity. Salvia comes from the Latin “salvere,” which means “to save,” or “to cure;” and officinales is a Latin epithet given to plants that have historically been used and sold as medicine.

Sage has purplish flowers that appear on tall spikes in late spring to early summer. While these have medicinal value, it is mainly sage’s fuzzy, aromatic, grey-green leaves that have long been treasured for traditional remedies, as well as for ceremonial purposes.

Traditional uses of sage

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Indigenous Americans used white sage for thousands of years. They considered this herb sacred, and used it both for healing rituals and purification ceremonies.

Ancient Egyptians also regarded sage as a sacred plant, and used it for both healing the sick and embalming the deceased.

Even the Romans treated this herb with reverence. To harvest sage, one had to have clean hands, clean clothes, and use a bronze (rather than iron) knife. In both ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, sage was commonly used to ease digestion and reduce inflammation.

The medicinal use of sage was documented by the likes of Roman author Pliny the Elder, Greek physician Dioscorides, Arab physician Avicenna, and English herbalist John Gerard, who wrote that sage “is singularly good for the head and brain…”

In medieval times, sage was practically a panacea. The Latin proverb “Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto?” or “Why should a man die who has sage growing in his garden?” circulated widely, and there was no shortage of sage remedies.

A sage infusion might have been sipped to improve digestion, or gargled to relieve sore throats. Sage syrup and lozenges would have been taken against coughs and scratchy throats. A poultice of crushed sage leaves or a cooled infusion could have been applied to wounds to prevent infection. Ointments made with sage-infused oils were likely applied topically to reduce swelling or itching.

Sage has also been used to reduce anxiety and depression, improve mental clarity, ease the symptoms of menopause, and stop milk production.

Medicinal properties of sage

While this herb is not an actual panacea, modern science has discovered many active compounds in sage that can explain its effectiveness in traditional medicine.

Medical research suggests that sage may be effective in many areas:

How to grow sage

If you’re not growing sage, you probably should be. Not only is this plant beautiful, fragrant, and useful, it is also very forgiving. Sage tolerates drought and poor soils, and can thrive either in the ground or in a container. This small shrub will take up about 30 inches in your garden at maturity, and provide you with fresh leaves and pretty flowers for up to a decade.

Plant sage in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Regular pruning will help it maintain a more compact shape. After the plant is established, leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season by snipping sprigs off the new growth. Only prune woody stems if they are dead or unwanted, as they do not readily sprout new shoots.

The flowers attract beneficial insects and are also safe to consume in limited portions, such as a garnish.

To reduce the risk of foliar disease or insect infestations, maintain good air circulation with selective pruning.

Fresh stems of sage can be dried by hanging them in a warm, dry place, out of direct sun. Once they are crispy, store them in a sealed, glass jar for later use.

Home remedies with sage

Aside from using sage in cooking, a sage infusion is the simplest way to reap the benefits of this herb.

Steep a few leaves (fresh or dried) in a cup of boiled water for 5-10 minutes for a tasty tea that can be consumed regularly as a tonic. For medicinal use, make a stronger brew with more leaves.

For other topical applications, make a potent sage decoction by simmering the leaves for 10 minutes or longer.

Fresh sage poultice

For fast action of sage’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, crush fresh sage leaves and apply to insect bites, minor cuts or rashes.

Sage-infused oil

Infuse sage in a carrier oil like olive or almond oil for a flavorful cooking oil, a soothing massage oil, or as a base for healing ointments.

Fill a clean, glass jar with dried sage leaves, then pour in enough oil to cover the plant material. Secure the jar with a tight-fitting lid, and place it in a sunny window for about a month. Shake the contents whenever you remember, to help collect all the volatile oils.

After four weeks, strain the infused oil into amber bottles and store in a cool, dark location.

While consuming sage in cooking and as tea is safe for almost everyone, sage contains thujone, which can be toxic in high doses. Strong infusions (using more than 2 teaspoons of sage) should be reserved for topical use unless recommended by a trusted physician. Always use a carrier oil when applying sage essential oil to the skin, and never consume it.

Remember, sage is a potent medicinal plant that earned the respect and reverence of our ancestors. Honor that tradition, and be blessed with the many gifts of sage.