High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

An evergreen shrub, native to the lands of the Mediterranean, sage is widely cultivated in Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and the United States. Growing to about 12 to18 inches tall, it has numerous woody stems with silver-green leaves. North American Indians and other countries have a long history of using several varieties of sage for medicinal purposes.

Sage can be planted from seeds sown in late spring and also propagated from cuttings. They’re available as seedlings and plants from local nurseries. There are many species of sage and all having similar qualities for healing. The leaves are best picked from the second to fourth year for both medicinal and culinary uses. After the fourth year, the potency of the plant declines and is best rotated out of the garden. A vigorous plant, sage easily grows beyond its garden bounds.

For harvesting, the plant is best cut back to about 4 inches above the ground. After the stems and leaves are dried, strip the leaves off the stem and store in an airtight container, such as canning jars or other glass bottles, especially brown colored ones. With a blender the leaves can be cut into small pieces and then sifted.

Sage has been used for multiple medicinal purposes. Best used as a tea, sometimes called an infusion, or as an essential oil, it has shown antimicrobial action against various bacterial agents, supporting the traditional use of sage as a healing agent. Used as a tea it is helpful for mouth sores, pharyngitis, laryngitis, gum sores, and tonsillitis. As an essential oil in poultices, it can be used on open sores.

Gargling with sage tea helps shrink swollen membranes from head colds and scratchy throats, clearing out bacteria and viruses. Sage can also be also used as a carminative for digestive distress, known as dyspepsia. Its tannins act as astringents and could be used as a tea to help a woman dry up her milk when she is done with breast feeding. The use of therapeutic doses of sage during pregnancy is not recommended because it may promote onset of menstruation. However, ordinary culinary doses are considered safe.

Long before anyone knew about microbes, sage was used in cooking not only for its flavor but also to avoid food poisoning in poultry dressings and other culinary endeavors because of its antimicrobial actions.

Sage essential oil, not to be confused with clary sage essential oil, relaxes tight muscles and is used for painful menstruation with 2 or 3 drops of essential oil in 3 ounces of warm water. It is also recommended for topical use to kill lice. For head lice mix sage essential oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba, 2 or 3 drops of essential oil in 2 to 3 oz of jojoba oil. Apply to the scalp and hair and comb thoroughly three times a week, making sure the comb gets the knits.

For those persons blessed with a sauna, sage tea or infusion, 1 to 3 grams of dried leaf in 5 ounces of water, can be poured over hot coals in a steam bath for headache, insomnia, eye trouble, and arthritis.

With its antibiotic, antifungal, astringent, antispasmodic, estrogenic, hypoglycemic, and tonic qualities, as well as its culinary wonders and delightful aroma, sage lives up to its scientific name. The Latin word salvia means either to save or heal. As Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th Century abbess and composer of the first opera, said, “Why should a person die while sage grows in his garden?”

Anyone desiring more information about using herbs medicinally may contact Sue Collins, RN, Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Herbalist, at suecollins46@msn.com.

Susan B. Collins is a Master Gardener volunteer. Dana Prom Smith, a Master Gardener volunteer, is coordinating editor for the Master Gardener Column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com. For more information about the Master Gardener Program, call Hattie Braun, Coordinator of the Master Gardener Program, at 774-1868 ext.17 or visit our Web Site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.