Sage

Salvia
Blue Sage Salvia azurea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Salvia L.
Species
see List of Salvia species

Sage is the common name for any of the plants comprising the genus Salvia, and in particular the Salvia officinalis, known as true sage, common sage, meadow sage, or garden sage. When used without modifiers, sage generally refers to Salvia officinalis; however, it can be used with modifiers to refer to any member of the genus. This genus includes shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals.

The common name sage also is applied to similar plants in the closely related Perovskia and Phlomis, which are also in the mint family, Limiaceae. For example, Russian sage is the name applied to Perovskia atriplicifolia and Jerusalem sage refers to Phlomis fruticosa and other species of Phlomis. Some species of the unrelated genus Artemisia are also referred to as sages, a shortened version of sagebrush, which is a more appropriate term for them. Smudge bundles are made with various gray-leaved species of Artemisia and are misrepresented as "whitesage" smudges. The true whitesage is Salvia apiana, which has a delightful scent when burned.

Different species of sage are grown as herbs and as ornamental plants. The ornamental species are commonly referred to by their scientific name Salvia. Salvia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the (but not limited to) bucculatricid leaf-miner Bucculatrix taeniola which feeds exclusively on the genus and the Coleophora case-bearers C. aegyptiacae, C. salviella (both feed exclusively on S. aegyptiaca), C. ornatipennella and C. virgatella (both recorded on S. pratensis).

Overview

The Salvia genus is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Plants in this family are frequently aromatic in all parts and include many widely used culinary herbs, such as basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme, lavender, and perilla. Some are shrubs, but rarely trees or vines. The leaves emerge oppositely, each pair at right angles to the previous one (called decussate) or whorled. The flowers are bilaterally symmetrical with 5 united petals and 5 united sepals. Many members of the family are widely cultivated, owing not only to their aromatic qualities but also their ease of cultivation: these plants are among the easiest plants to propagate by stem cuttings.

The Salvia genus includes about 700 species. The stems are usually square and the plants have paired, opposite, simple leaves that tend to be ovalish or lance-shaped, with toothed margins or deeply cut segments (Taylor 1986). The flowers are in whorls, with two to many flowered clusters and arranged in terminal spikes or racemes (Taylor 1986).

History

True or common sage, Salvia officinalis, is native to the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal values (Herbst 2001). Sage has been grown in central Europe since the Middle Ages (Hamilton 2007) and is now also naturalized in North America (Longe 2005).

The genus name, Salvia is variously attributed to derivation from the Latin salveo, meaning "to heal", or salvus, meaning "safe," or salvare, meaning "to save." These are considered indicative of the common sage's highly regarded healing properties. An ancient proverb states: "Why should a man die who has sage in his garden?" (Hamilton 2007). The name officinalis is attributed to the sage being included on official lists of medicinal herbs (Longe 2005).

The ancient Greeks used Salvia offinalis to treat consumption, ulcers, and snake bites. The Egyptians used it to treat the plague (Longe 2005). The Ancient Romans considered common sage to be a sacred herb and harvested it by means of an elaborate ceremony whereby a special knife would be used (one not made of iron since it reacts with the sge) and the sage gatherer would wear clean clothes, have clean feet, and offer a sacrifice of food before he could begin ( Hamilton 2005). The Chinese also were quite partial to this herb and Seventeenth century Dutch merchants found that they could trade one chest of sage leaves for three of their teas (Hamilton 2005).

Sages also are used by several Native American cultures. The leaves and [[root]s of the lyre-leafed sage or cancerweed, Salvia lyrata, was used by Native Americas as a salve for sores and in tea form to treat colds and coughs (Longe 2005). Salvia divinorum, known as divine sage, which is native to Mexico, has been used for centuries by shamans in healing rituals to achieve altered states of consciousness (Longe 2005).

The clary sage, Salvia sclarea, received its name because of its traditional use as an eyewash (Longe 2005).

Species

Common sage

Salvia officinalis

Common sage, Salvia officinalis, is a small evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now naturalized throughout Europe and North America (Longe 2005)..

Sage leaves - first variety

Common sage, which is known by various common names (garden sage, kitchen sage, dalmatian sage) is much cultivated as a kitchen and medicinal herb. Common sage is also grown in parts of Europe, especially the Balkans for distillation of the essential oil, though other species, such as Salvia triloba may also be harvested and distilled with it. In southern Europe, related species are sometimes cultivated for the same purpose, and may be confused with the common sage.

Sage leaves - second variety

A number of cultivars of the plant exist. The majority of these are cultivated more often for ornament than for their herbal properties. All these are valuable as small ornamental flowering shrubs, and for low ground cover, especially in sunny dry situations. They are easily raised from summer cuttings. Named cultivars include

• "Purpurascens", a purple-leafed cultivar, considered by some to be strongest of the garden sages,
• "Tricolor", a cultivar with white, yellow and green variegated leaves,
• "Berggarten", a cultivar with huge leaves,
• "Icterina", a cultivar with yellow-green variegated leaves,
• "Alba", a white-flowered cultivar,
• "Lavandulaefolia", a small leaved cultivar.

White sage

Salvia apiana

White sage, Salvia apiana, also known as sacred sage, is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

White sage is a sub-shrub that is less than 1 meter tall. The leaves are widely lanceolate and tapered at the base. The margin is minutely toothed and rounded. The leaves are generally basal, covered with dense hairs, which gives it a white coloring, and are about 4–8 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a spike-like clusters with few flowers. The flowers are bilateral, about 12–22 millimeters in length, and are white with lavender spots and streaks. Both the stamens and styles are exserted. The fruit form into shiny, light brown nutlets that are 2.5–3 mm in size.

Bumblebees, hawk moths and wasps pollinate the white sage, and hummingbirds also appear to like the plant.

Select other Salvia species

• Salvia argentea - Silver sage.
• Salvia arizonica - Arizona sage, Desert indigo sage, a purple-flowering annual.
• Salvia azurea - Blue sage, Azure blue sage; very big bright blue flowers.
• Salvia candelabrum - a blue-flowering scented sage.
• Salvia carnosa - a blue-flowering annual, native to the Arizona desert.
• Salvia clevelandii - Blue sage, Cleveland sage, Fragrant sage.
• Salvia coccinea - Blood sage, a scarlet-flowered tender perennial
• Salvia columbariae - Chia, Chia sage, California chia.
• Salvia divinorum - Diviner's sage.
• Salvia dorrii - Ute Tobacco Sage (mild hallucinogen when smoked)
• Salvia farinacea - Mealycup sage, annual in temperate climates will survive mild winters
• Salvia forreri
• Salvia fulgens - Cardinal sage, Mexican red sage, a red-flowering perennial
• Salvia funerea – Death Valley sage
• Salvia glutinosa
• Salvia greggii - Autumn sage, a red-flowered sage with a very strong scent
• Salvia guaranitica - Anise sage or hummingbird sage.
• Salvia hispanica - the Chia of commerce.
• Salvia leucantha - Mexican bush sage, velvety spikes of violet-purple and white, 3' tall.
• Salvia leucophylla - Purple sage.
• Salvia libanotica - Mediterranean or middle eastern sage
• Salvia longistyla - Mexican sage.
• Salvia lyrata - Lyre-leaved sage, Lyreleaf sage.
• Salvia mexicana - Mexican sage, medium blue to violet and lavender, 8' to 10' tall.
• Salvia miltiorrhiza - Chinese sage
• Salvia patens - a blue-flowering annual.
• Salvia polystachya - Chia sage, Chia seed.
• Salvia potus - Chia.
• Salvia pratensis - Meadow clary or Meadow sage.
• Salvia roemeriana - Cedar Sage; this species prefers shady moist areas
• Salvia sclarea - Clary or Clary sage.
• Salvia spathacea - Pitcher sage or Hummingbird sage.
• Salvia splendens - Scarlet sage.
• Salvia verticillata - Whorled clary, Lilac sage, a white- or blue-flowering perennial with the scent of Clary
• Salvia viridis (syn.: S. horminum) - Painted sage.

Uses

Medicinal uses

Several types of Salvia are used medicinally:

• aromatic varieties (usually strongly scented leaves, also used as herbs)
• non-aromatic varieties (not considered medicinal, but many still have a scent)
• Chia sages
• Divinorum (Diviner's sage or divine sage) contains a diterpenoid used for spiritual and recreational purposes.
• Alzheimer's disease, research has shown that it improves cognitive function over a period of several months .

The aromatic sages strengthen the lungs and can be used in teas or tinctures to prevent coughs. Less aromatic species of Salvia are run-of-the-mill mint-family anti-inflammatories, which means that they can be used for pretty much any infection or inflammation, and will give at least some relief.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) drunk as a cold tea will stop sweating, while the same tea drunk hot will produce sweating. Cold and hot teas will also either stop or enhance milk production. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy and medicine.

White sage (Salvia apiana) is a very strong general anti-inflammatory, used as tea or tincture. The tincture has a very nice scent and can be used as a perfume. This species is the famous whitesage of smudge sticks.

Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans, old: S. rutilans) is a tender perennial with pineapple-scented leaves. Medicinally, this is perhaps closest to the scented geraniums, a sweet-smelling Pelargonium species.

Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is used medicinally in Traditional Chinese medicine.

Chia sages. The seeds of these species are used as bulk laxatives, much like the seeds of Psyllium (Plantago spp.) or linseed. Chia has been important in the diet of desert Indians. It is still used for its mucilaginous qualities by Mexican natives.

Diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum) also called Yerba de la Pastora or sometimes just Salvia, is a plant that differs from all the other sages. It is a Mexican visionary herb and there is some evidence it is a true cultivar. It is known to have strong psychoactive properties.

== Culinary uses == common sage

Painting from Koehler's Medicinal Plants (1887)

As a herb, common sage is considered to have a slight peppery flavour. In Western cooking, it is used for flavouring fatty meats (especially as a marinade), cheeses (Sage Derby), and some drinks. In Britain and Flanders, sage is used with onion for poultry or pork stuffing and also in sauces. In French cuisine, sage is used for cooking white meat and in vegetable soups. Germans often use it in sausage dishes, and sage forms the dominant flavouring in the English Lincolnshire sausage. Sage is also common in Italian cooking. Sage is sauteed in olive oil and butter until crisp, then plain or stuffed pasta is added (burro e salvia). In the Balkans and the Middle East, it is used when roasting mutton.

Medicinal use

Actions

The Latin name for sage: salvia, means “to heal”. Although the effectiveness of Common Sage is often open to debate, it has been recommended at one time or another for virtually every ailment. Modern evidence supports its effects as an antihydrotic, antibiotic, antifungal, astringent, antispasmodic, estrogenic, hypoglycemic, and tonic.[1]. In a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, sage was found to be effective in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Active Constituents

The strongest active constituents of Sage are within its essential oil, which contains cineole, borneol, and thujone. Sage leaf contains tannic acid, oleic acid, ursonic acid, ursolic acid, cornsole, cornsolic acid, fumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, niacin, nicotinamide, flavones, flavone glycosides, and estrogenic substances.[2]

Uses

Internally for indigestion, gas, liver complaints, excessive lactation, excessive perspiration, excessive salivation, anxiety, depression, female sterility, menopausal problems.

Externally for insect bites, throat, mouth, gum, skin infections, vaginal discharge.

Source: The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)

Health Precautions

Toxic in excess or over long periods. Contraindicated during pregnancy and for epilepsy.

Drug Interactions: from appliedhealth.com

=

White sage; Ethnobotany

Native Americans had several uses for this plant: seeds were ground into a flour and used for mush; leaves were used for flavoring in cooking; leaves were also eaten, smoked or used in a sweathouse as a remedy for colds; seeds were dropped into the eye and permitted to roll around under the eyelids in order to cleanse the eyes; and leaves were crushed and mixed with water to create a hair shampoo, dye and straightener.

White sage is also used medicinally. It can be made into a tea, which decreases sweating, salivation, and mucous secretions in the sinuses, throat, and lungs. Cold tea can be a good stomach tonic, while a lukewarm tea is good for treating sore throats. The leaves can also be used as a uterine hemostatic tea for heavy menstruation; however, since it can also decrease lactation, nursing mothers are advised not to use it.

White sage is considered sacred by many Native Americans since it is used to make smudge sticks, a type of incense. White sage is believed to cleanse a space of any evil spirits that may be present. This power is said to be released from the plant by the burning of the leaves, which are typically bundled into a wand or stick. Today many Native American tribes still use the stems and leaves for smudging as part of purification ceremonies.

References and external links

• Herbst, S. T. 2001. The New Food Lover's Companion: Comprehensive Definitions of Nearly 6,000 Food, Drink, and Culinary Terms. Barron's Cooking Guide. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 0764112589

• Longe, J. L. 2005. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, Mich: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787693960.

Dave Hamilton. 2007. Sage: Salvinus officinalis.

Taylor, N. 1986. Taylor's guide to annuals. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395404479.

• A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden by Betsy Clebsch, Timber Press, 1997, ISBN 0-88192-369-9. An excellent reference on salvias. Also, an updated (2004 edition) is available.
• [3] ITIS 32680 2002-09-06
• Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M. R. 2003, Salvia Officinalis extract in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: A double blind and placebo-controlled trial. British Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 140, p22P-22P, 1/2p
• The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses,i like herbs Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)
• The Living Desert - White Sage fact sheet
• Salvia apiana
• Photograph of White sage
• USDA
• Jepson Flora Project
• Medicinal use: from appliedhealth.com
• Medicinal use, modern and historical: from botanical.com

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