Sage          

Definition

Mediterranean Sage

Sage Identified in America

The Medical Use of Sage

How to Prepare it?

Selected Links

The medical use of sage:

A medieval saying, sometimes attributed to Martin Luther, is: "Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto?" ("Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?"). To which Hildegard of Bingen said: "Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden, if not because nothing can stand against death?"

In folklore it was associated with longevity and immortality. The British thought that sage flourished in gardens where the woman was dominant. (This trait is also attributed to rosemary.) The ancient Greeks offered sage to a mythological figure, Cadmus, who supposedly At one time sage was so prized for tea that the Chinese traded their green tea for it at a ratio of 4 to 1. American Indians used it medicinally as a salve by mixing it with bear grease. It has also been used as a disposable tooth brush. In the 19th century Americans thought it cured warts. Sage infusions have been used to color silver hair, which if not done properly, may give the hair a greenish tint. Sage is used in soaps, perfumes and cosmetics and has been used as a dye plant. Recent research indicates that sage contains a natural preservative especially when it is combined with rosemary. However, also present in sage is thujone, the active principle in wormwood, so moderate usage is advised.
In folk medicine, Sage is also taken for bloating, diarrhea, and intestinal inflammation. As a rinse and gargle, it's used for bleeding gums. Applied externally, it treats mild injuries and skin inflammation. In Asia, it's considered a remedy for hemorrhoids, blood in the urine, bloody phlegm, and fluid in the abdomen; and homeopathic practitioners prescribe it for excessive flow of breast milk. However, its effectiveness for all of these problems remains unverified.
Researchers have also been investigating the value of Sage as a treatment for Type II, non-insulin dependent diabetes. While one study has shown positive results, further confirmation is needed.