Sage

Synonyms in a broader sense

Latin name: Salvia officialis Genus: Labiate family Folk name: Precious sage, medicinal sage, garden sage, royal sage, selva, shovens, salvia, salvia, salvia herb, saphei, zaffee and salwie.

General information

The medicinal plant sage was used in the past for many health problems. The leaves and the young shoot tips are used as a spice and as medicine in naturopathy. Sage thrives particularly well on calcareous, dry and warm slopes.

The harvest and the collection period of the sage is from May to July. The great medicinal effect of sage is based on its ingredients. These have an antiseptic (germicidal) and astringent effect. Sage has a typical active ingredient which is said to have antibiotic power. It is a bitter substance with the name Salvin.

History

In ancient Rome, the medicinal plant sage was already highly regarded. The Latin term “salvare” means to heal (sage-salvia). In the sixth century the plant reached Central Europe via the Alps with Benedictine monks.

Since then the sage has been cultivated in monastery gardens. Charlemagne recommended the spice for cultivation in gardens. Since the Middle Ages, sage has been a popular kitchen spice and a medicinal herb. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, sage is cultivated throughout Europe and North America.

The plant

The medicinal plant sage from the labiate family is a knee-high, approximately 80 cm high, branched shrub with grey-green, felty, elliptical leaves with a notched edge. In early summer the sage flowers in light blue, blue-violet, pink and white colors. The lower parts of the sage bush are usually lignified.

Dry and calcareous soils are its home. In contrast to the false sage (ornamental shrub), only the young leaves of the true sage persist on the upper side of the leaves. The medicinal sage also resembles our meadow sage, which is, however, of no importance due to the lack of essential oils. The medicinal sage comes from the Mediterranean countries and is cultivated in our country. Sage leaves are used fresh or dried as a spice or medicine.