Information on the herb sage including description, uses cultivation, parts used and related species.This includes medicinal and culinary uses.
SAGE (Salvia officinalis)
Description
Sage is a variable evergreen perennial shrub, with strong taproot and square, woody branching stems up to 75cm/2ft6in tall. It is grey and woolly when young. It has grey-green coloured soft leaves, with a pebbly texture which are oblong or lanceolate, and finely toothed. Whorls of violet-blue flowers appear in spikes in summer. Sage is commonly found growing wild on hillsides and grassland on chalk in warm regions; it is widely cultivated as a pot herb in Mediterranean countries. Sage has become a popular herb garden shrub with numerous forms and decorative varieties, some gold or variegated. The best culinary sages are the plain narrow-leafed and non-flowering broad-leaved types.
Uses
An ancient herb, Sage is popular as a potent condiment for meat, fish, Mediterranean dishes, English Sage Derby Cheese, and as a basis for sage tea, taken to counteract sweating. Infusion of Sage can used to treat depression, nervous anxiety and liver disorders; homeopathic preparations can be given for circulation and menopausal problems. The leaves are also antiseptic, used in gargles for laryngitis and tonsillitis, and as a mouth freshener and tooth cleanser. It also provides an essential oil which can be used in perfumery.
Cultivation
Sage should be grown in well-drained, rich soil, in full sun and with shelter from cold winds. Cuttings should be taken in spring and summer, or by layering (mounding for older bushes). Nip off points of shoots to induce bushy growth, and renew every 4-5 years as shrubs become leggy.
Parts used
Freshly picked leaves, or leaves dried in shade, picked before flowering have various herbal uses. Alternatively, leaves picked when in flower can be used for oil distillation.
Related species
S. azurea: Large blue-flowered perennial shrub, used in Mexico as a herbal panacea.
S. sclarea (Clary sage): biennial with white, blue or pink flowers; leaves infused as a gargle and skin healer; source of muscatel oil for flavouring and perfumery.
S. viridis. Syn. S. horminum (clary): annual, very similar to clary sage and similar uses; often grown as a flowering bedding plant.
S. horminoides (wild clary), S. verbenaca: purple-flowered species with jagged, toothed leaves and red stems; uses similar to clary sage.
S. frusticosa, syn. S. triloba (three-lobed sage): large perennial with lobed leaves, grown in Mediterranean countries for making the popular sage tea.
S. rutilans (pineapple sage): tender perennial with scarlet flowers in autumn and winter; fresh leaves add strong pineapple flavouring to desserts and drinks.
