Sage is a hardy perennial shrub that you might have in your own herb garden! The leaves can look pebbly and veined and are hairy or velvety.
Ancient Arabians and other people associated sage with longevity. The medical school in Salerno, Italy came up with this saying in the tenth century: “Why should a man die, when he can go to his garden for sage?” The Latin name — salvia officinalis — derives from the word for salvation. The herb was also credited with increasing mental capacity.
Native Americans used sage mixed with bear grease to cure sores on the skin. Sage was made into an infusion for rubdowns and baths. The plant was also used as a disposable toothbrush. During the 1800s, the herb was used to treat warts, epilepsy, insomnia, measles, seasickness, and worms. Sage was also used to dry up excessive urine, milk, saliva, and perspiration.
Sage is mainly known as a culinary herb these days.
However, it does have some proven healing properties.
- The volatile oils and tannins in sage may account for the herb’s use in drying perspiration.
- The volatile oils have antiseptic and astringent properties, making sage useful for treating sore throats, mouth irritations, and even minor cuts and bruises.
- Experiments in 1939 found that sage had some estrogenic properties — which may relate to the herb’s ability to dry up milk.
- The herb contains camphor, terpene, and salvene. These aromatics become stronger as the plant dries.
Sage infusions can be used to color silver hair. However, discontinuing use can leave the hair with a greenish tint. Sage is also used in stimulating skin lotions and aftershave. You can make a soothing herbal aftershave by infusing dried sage and lavender into witch hazel with a splash of apple cider vinegar.
There are many varieties of sage available today. Blue sage, Holt’s mammoth sage, and purple sage are good in cooking. Pineapple sage is good in sweet jams and jellies. Other sages are more decorative than useful for cooking or medicine.