The Red Sage Plant

(Western Herb)

Salvia officinalis

the Red Sage plant is also known as Sage, Broadleaf sage, Common sage, Garden sage, Kitchen sage, and Salvia.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Sage, also known as Salvia derives from Latin for “to save.” This herb had an early reputation to be a cure-all. Sage is a perennial evergreen shrub with silvery-green velvety leaves and purple-gray flowers and grows to only a height of about two feet.

The Red Sage plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but is commercially grown in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Germany, and France. Most of the world’s supply is wild harvested along Adriatic coast.

Red sage is often used in herbal smoking mixtures, but is most famous today as a culinary herb, raw, cooked, or dried and used to flavor salads, soups, stews, meats, and vegetables as well as oils, vinegars, and teas. It is also a common ingredient in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* indigestion

* aiding digestion

* gas

* nausea

* asthma

* stem production of breast milk

* reducing night sweats of menopause

* improving irregular and scanty periods

* promoting stronger menstrual flow

* helping the body adjust to hormonal changes

* alleviating mild diarrhea

* calming and stimulating the nervous system

Use as a mouthwash or gargle for:

* laryngitis

* pharyngitis

* tonsillitis

* sore throat

* quinsy

Apply externally for:

* insect bites and stings

* bacterial infections in wounds

PREPARATIONS:

This herb is available in health foods stores as tincture, prepared tea, or dried and fresh leaves.

It can be used as an infusion, mouthwash, and compress.

Parts used: Leaves, flowers

Collection: Plant is harvested just prior to bloom.

Constituents: Tannins, volatile oil, flavonoids, resin, camphor

Actions: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, astringent, anti-inflammatory

Combinations: Can be combined with Tormentil and Balm of Gilead for a gargle for throat conditions.

It can be combined with Meadowsweet and Chamomile to treat dyspepsia.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* Sage is not recommended for medicinal use during pregnancy or lactation because it has been reported to reduce milk supply.

* Sage should not be taken by individuals with seizure disorders because it may cause convulsions if taken in high doses.