During the middle ages, there was a popular Latin saying “Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto?” meaning “Why should a man die while sage grows in his garden.” Sage originates from the Latin word “salvere” which means “to save” or “salvia” which means ‘to heal”. Sage is useful in many ways both medicinal and culinary. I became aware of the super herb as I started my spiritual journey. I was told about smudging, a Native American practice where you burn sage to help clear a space of negative energy.
Sage has been used in Egypt to increase fertility (Bowman 2001), in China to help stimulate digestion and increase appetite and in Germany sage tea is used for mouth inflammations. We mostly are aware of the herb sage being used to add flavor to our favorite food dishes. It’s loaded with fiber, vitamins A, B, C, and E, copper and magnesium.
Research has linked sage and other herbs to help release negative ions, so naturally you will feel calm and relaxed.
Sage tea may help keep cholesterol in check, according to a small study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2009. After four weeks of regular consumption of sage tea, six healthy female volunteers showed a reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and an improvement in total cholesterol levels. The study also found that sage tea may help increase antioxidants activity. Sage will keep deer away from your garden and moths away from wool fabric. Sage can be added to your daily hair or skin regimen in cycles (using consistently may be harmful). Most use sage to make a tea or oil.
Below are some of the ways Sage can assist internally and externally.
This super herb can help with something in your everyday routine from a sore throat to darkening your hair. Although the smell of burning sage is calming it may be overwhelming to others, I would suggest you burn a small amount outside before bringing in your home. Sage has been used by the Ancient Egyptians and through the Middle Ages. This herb could easily replace certain medications and aid in creating a natural cure. You can find edible sage for cooking and tea in your local grocery stores or online. To purchase sage for smudging or burning, you can find it online or a spiritual store. It’s easy to grow and will do well with other perennial herbs in summer months. I’ve added a recipe for Pineapple Sage Pound Cake, because everyone loves cake.
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Pineapple Sage Pound Cake
makes 4 small loafs
Rich and aromatic, with festive flecks of red and green, these little tea cakes make tasty holiday gifts. Be sure to keep some for yourself. Slices hot from the toaster, a bit of butter and honey melting slowly on the crisp surface, paired with a steaming cup of coffee are an ideal way to ease into a Sunday morning.
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey (light wild flower or sage flower preferred)
2 Tablespoons chopped pineapple sage leaves ( the small, new leaves have the most pineapple flavor)
3 Tablespoons coarsely chopped pineapple sage flowers*
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4 Tablespoons well-squeezed, chopped pineapple
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
Cream the butter and the sugar until very light and fluffy. Beat in the honey. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat for one minute after each addition. Beat in the sage leaves, flowers and lemon peel. Stir the dry ingredients together and add to the butter mixture. Fold these together gently, until just blended. Pour into four miniature loaf pans (6 inches by 3 1/4 inches by 2 inches). Bake in a pre-heated 325 degrees F oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until golden brown. (A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.) Cool for 10 minutes on a rack, then turn out of pans and continue to cool.
*the recipe can be made without the flowers, if the plant has stopped flowering and no flowers are available. No adjustments to the recipe are necessary.
Linda Gilbert is a Bay Area freelance journalist, a cooking class instructor, and co-owner of a Sonoma catering company, Broadway Catering and Events.
Sá CM, Ramos AA, Azevedo MF, Lima CF, Fernandes-Ferreira M, Pereira-Wilson C. “Sage tea drinking improves lipid profile and antioxidant defences in humans.” Int J Mol Sci. 2009 Sep 9;10(9):3937-50.
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Information on this website is based on research from the internet, books, articles and studies and/or companies selling herbs online. Statements in this website have not necessarily been evaluated and should not be considered as medical advice. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. for diagnosis or treatment consult your physician.
Use herbs in moderation and watch for allergic reactions.
If you are taking any other medication, are suffering from a medical condition and/or are at all concerned about any of the advice or ingredients consult your doctor before taking the herbs.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding or have/had breast cancer do not take any of the herbs (as many affect hormone balance, uterine contractions and are estrogenic).
Remember that diet, exercise and relaxation are equally important to your health.