We all know that sage is a staple for any witch, but what about its value as a kitchen herb? What else is sage useful before besides smudging?
Sageās reputation as a panacea is represented in its scientific name,Ā Salvia officinalis, derived from the Latin word,Ā salvere, which means āto be saved.ā It has been cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes for many centuries in England, France and Germany, being sufficiently hardy to stand any ordinary winter outside. Gerard mentions it as being in 1597 a well-known herb in English gardens, several varieties growing in his own garden at Holborn. The Greeks and Romans were said to have highly prized the many healing properties of sage. The Romans treated it as sacred and created a special ceremony for gathering sage. Both civilizations used it as a preservative for meat, a tradition that continued until the beginning of refrigeration. What these cultures knew from experience, that sage could help to reduce spoilage, is now being confirmed by science, which has isolated the herbās numerous terpene antioxidants.
Sageās legendary status continued throughout history. Arab physicians in the 10th century believed that it promoted immortality, while 14th century Europeans used it to protect themselves from witchcraft. Sage was in so much demand in China during the 17th century, appreciated for the delicious tea beverage that it makes, that the Chinese are said to have traded three cases of tea leaves (camellia sinensis) to the Dutch for one case of sage leaves. All parts of the plant have a strong, scented odour and a warm, bitter, somewhat astringent taste, due to the volatile oil contained in the tissues.
To store fresh sage leaves, carefully wrap them in a damp paper towel and place inside a loosely closed plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator where it should keep fresh for several days. Dried sage should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place where it will keep fresh for about six months. Since the flavor of sage is very delicate, it is best to add the herb near the end of the cooking process so that it will retain its maximum essence.
Caution: OnlyĀ Salvia officianalisĀ is suitable for culinary use. However, sage isĀ POSSIBLY UNSAFEĀ when taken by mouth in high doses or for a long time. Some species of sage, such as common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain a chemical called thujone. Thujone can be poisonous if you get enough. This chemical can cause seizures and damage to the liver and nervous systems.Ā Taking sage during pregnancy isĀ LIKELY UNSAFEĀ because of the possibility of consuming thujone. Sage might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Sage is mostly safe and healthy for those without heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, and pregnancy. When burnt, it can smell like marijuana, so burn with caution.
In the United States, it is in some repute, especially in the form of an infusion, the most valued application of which is as a wash for the  and as a gargle in inflamed sore throat, being excellent for relaxed throat and tonsils and for ulcerated throat. The gargle is useful for bleeding gums and to prevent an excessive flow of saliva. When a more stimulating effect to the throat is desirable, the gargle may be made of equal quantities of vinegar and water, ½ pint of hot malt vinegar being poured on 1 OZ. of leaves, adding ½ pint of cold water.
Sage Tea: 1 pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of dried herb; dose is from a wineglassful to half a teacupful, as often as required.
Old-fashioned Sage Tea: The result is a pleasant drink, cooling in fevers, and a cleanser and purifier. Half an ounce of fresh Sage leaves, 1 OZ. of sugar, the juice of 1 lemon, or ¼ OZ. of grated rind, are infused in a quart of boiling water and strained off after half an hour.
Sage Tea or infusion of Sage is a valuable agent in the delirium of fevers and in the nervous excitement. It is highly used as a stimulant tonic in debility of the stomach and nervous system and weakness of digestion generally. It is considered a useful medicine in typhoid fever and beneficial in biliousness and liver complaints, kidney troubles, haemorrhage from the lungs or stomach, for colds in the head as well as sore throat and quinsy and measles, for pains in the joints, lethargy and palsy. It will check excessive perspiration in phthisis cases, and is useful as an emmenagogue. A cup of the strong infusion will be found good to relieve nervous headache.
The infusion made strong, without the lemons and sugar, is an excellent lotion for ulcers and to heal raw abrasions of the skin. It has also been popularly used as an application to the scalp, to darken the hair.
Among many uses of the herb, Culpepper says that it is:
āGood for diseases of the liver and to make blood. A decoction of the leaves and branches of Sage made and drunk, saith Dioscorides, provokes urine and causeth the hair to become black. It stayeth the bleeding of wounds and cleaneth ulcers and sores. Three spoonsful of the juice of Sage taken fasting with a little honey arrests spitting or vomiting of blood in consumption. It is profitable for all pains in the head coming of cold rheumatic humors. The juice of Sage in warm water cureth hoarseness and cough. Pliny saith it cureth stinging and biting serpents. Sage is of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses. The juice of Sage drunk with vinegar hath been of use in the time of the plague at all times. Gargles are made with Sage, Rosemary, Honeysuckles and Plantains, boiled in wine or water with some honey or alum put thereto, to wash sore mouths and throats, as need requireth.ā
There is growing evidence of itsā benefits in treating symptoms of Alzheimers and dementia.
Other treatments include: dissolving kidney stones, reducing dandruff, helping to regulate menstruation, reducing night sweats, against headaches, to ease rheumatic fever and joint pain, against colds and coughs and to ease indigestion.
A Gargle for a Sore ThroatĀ
A small glass of port wine, a tablespoonful of Chile vinegar, 6 Sage leaves, and a dessertspoonful of honey; simmer together on the fire for 5 minutes.
A Cure for SprainsĀ
Bruise a handful of Sage leaves and boil them in a gill of vinegar for 5 minutes; apply this in a folded napkin as hot as it can be borne to the part affected.
White sageĀ Salvia apianaĀ is sacred in many Shamanic and Native American belief systems and is used inĀ smudging, and other, ceremonies to purify the body.Ā Smudge sticks made of white sage are often found in New Age shops and kits are heavily marketed to modern magical practitioners. Unfortunately, white sage is difficult to grow in captivity and is largely wild-crafted, which threatens native populations and since itās really not part of European-based traditions, we really donāt need it. Our European spiritual ancestors burned a lot of different herbs in their practices, but white sage was not among them. If you feel the need to use sage, garden sage is a suitable substitute. Indeed, mostĀ SalviaĀ species can be burned by the non-indigenous witch and we can leave white sage to those to whom it is truly sacred. If you must have it, try to grow it yourself.
Sage is used in magical workings for immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection and the granting of wishes. Sage is also believed to help alleviate sorrow of the death of a loved one. To make a wish, write your wish on a sage leaf and sleep with it under your pillow for three days and then bury it. Add sage toĀ mojo bags to promote wisdom and to overcome grief. Burn sage atĀ funeralsĀ and remembrance ceremonies to help relieve the grief of the mourners.
Sage is purported to give long life - even immortality - by eating some every day in May. It promotes wisdom (hence the name) if you carry it with you all the time. It attracts what is needed, well being and prosperity. To guard yourself against contracting the dreaded evil eye, wear a small horn filled with sage. Folklore warns against filling an area with sage - it brings bad luck. Instead grow it with other herbs and plants.
Deities: Jupiter, Virgin Mary, Zeus, Athena
Planet: Earth, Jupiter, Moon
Opens throat and crown chakras, associated with purple and silver.
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http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=76 http://www.witchipedia.com/herb:sage
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-504-sage.aspx?activeingredientid=504&
http://www.complete-herbal.com/details/sage.html