Sage is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean areas, especially the Adriatic region. The plant is cultivated in various European countries. Sage leaves are imported for medicinal use mainly from southeastern European countries. It is the dried leaves of sage (Salviae folium) that are used in herbal medicine.
Sage: characteristics
Sage is a semi-shrub up to 70 centimeters high with characteristic velvety soft gray-green leaves. The plant bears blue-purple flowers about two centimeters long, arranged in whorls.
The drug consists of the long-stalked leaves, three to ten centimeters long, densely hairy on both sides. The finely notched leaf margins and leaf veins, which are strongly prominent on the underside, are clearly visible.
Smell and taste of sage
Sage has a strong aromatic and spicy smell. The taste of sage is also very spicy, bitter and astringent (astringent).
Related to true sage and also commonly used are Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa) and Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia).
