Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Common names: Garden Sage and Common Sage
Common Sage
Meadow Sage
Sage, the familiar plant of the kitchen garden, comes to us from southern Europe. It grow to a height of 70 cm. and its purplish flowers are set in whorls. The leaves set in pairs on the stem are greyish-green with a silvery sheen and wrinkled. They possess a somewhat bitter, aromatic scent. Sage should grow in a sunny but sheltered position in your garden. To protect it from the frost, I cover it with branches of fir.
Another kind, the Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis) grows on banks, in meadows and pastures. The showy, purplish-blue flowers exude an aromatic perfume and are used mainly as a gargle or to make Sage vinegar. a handful of flowers are macerated in natural vinegar - and this is used as a beneficial and invigorating rub or massage during long illnesses. The leaves are gathered before the flowers open and at midday in bright sunshine, since the volatile oils of the plant are only fully developed in sunshine. The leaves are dried in the shade.
It is about the Common or Garden Sage, whose medicinal properties are more powerful, that I would like to talk. Already among our forefathers it was a highly esteemed herb.
A 13th century verse says:
"Why should a man die, whilst Sage grows in his garden?" Sage is well named coming from the Latin "salvare", to save, in reference to its curative properties.
Sage tea drunk frequently, strengthens the body, prevents stroke and is good for paralysis. Sage, besides Lavender is the only plant that will help relieve night sweats: it attacks the illness which is the cause of it, and its invigorating forces take away the great weakness that is part of it. Also used with great success for for tremcramps, disorders of the spinal cord, glandular disorders and for trembling of the limbs. For these disorders 2 cups are sipped throughout the day. This tea is valuable in liver complaints, dispels flatulence and all complaints caused by an ill liver. It is blood cleansing, dispels phlegm from the respiratory organs and the stomach, increases the appetite, rectifies intestinal trouble and diarrhoea. For insect stings crushed leaves are applied.
A sitz bath (see directions) taken once in a while would be of great help to women with abdominal troubles and to people with weak nerves.
Sage tea is used for ulcerated throat and mouth, inflammation of the tooth pulp, tonsilitis and throat disorders.
A decoction of Sage is a useful gargle for loose and bleeding teeth and ulcerated or receding gums. A small piece of cotton saturated with Sage tea can be applied.
Directions:
Infusion:
1/4 litre of boiling water is poured over 1 teaspoon of herbs, infused for a short time.
Sage vinegar:
A bottle is filled loosely to the neck with the flowers of the Meadow Sage, natural vinegar is poured over them, so that the flowers are covered and kept in a warm or sunny place for 14 days.
Sitz Bath:
Two heaped double handfuls of leaves are steeped in cold water overnight. Next day it is brought to the boil and the liquid is added to the bath water.