Some Sage Advice
Okay, I admit , I haven't researched where the term "sage advice" came from ~ however, it must have been derived from the powerful, meaningful and beneficial properties of the actual sage plant. This one herb has the most diverse, versatile and proven attributes of any . A member of the mint family, it has a long provenance of use as a weapon against many disease processes.
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We live in the region where sage grows as a perennial . ( USDA zones 5-8 ) In regions further south, it is an annual, not being tolerant of heat and humidity. Mildew is an enemy of sage and care should be taken to thin the plant and provide well drained, loose soil, whether garden or container grown. It is a great companion plant to rosemary, a cousin in the mint family as well.
Sage has a very beloved history as a medicinal herb. It has been widely used for cleansing wounds, ulcers, skin lesions / sores and to stop bleeding. It finds its way into the arsenal for fighting dental abscesses , gum and mouth ulcers , sore throats and hoarseness. The phenolic acids are a particularly powerful agent against Staphylococcus aureus . It is often made into a mouthwash or gargle for these purposes , giving it a respected place in the herbalist medicine cabinet.
The benefits aren't limited to those uses, as it has proven itself a powerful agent in the pain and issues related to arthritis. Its ability to be an anti-spasmodic lends itself to the rescue of muscular tension, discomfort and fatigue. You would be able to use a topical rinse or tea made from the leaf for this remedy.
Throughout history, sage has gained merit as a calming, relaxing herb used to treat anxiety, nervousness, and excitability. The sage oil properties earn it a place in the mental health arena, showing promising results in symptomatic relief in Alzheimer's patients. It improves brain function and memory skills.
Gastrointestinal problems are remedied with the usage of sage tinctures, essential oils and extracts. It assists in providing relief from the symptoms of menopause, especially night sweats and hot flashes.
As with most herbs, fresh is the best for use in culinary or medicinal purposes. Dried sage is easily managed by storing in a dark, dry place in a sealed container. To properly dry the sage plant, harvest about eight weeks prior to the first frost. This will allow newer growth to mature and be more able to withstand the winter. Hang the sage stems upside down until dried. Strip the leaves off onto a clean towel or parchment paper and place into the storage containers. I prefer glass jars. The shelf life of dried sage is about 6 months for best potency. Sage is rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, volatile oils and flavonoids.
Culinary qualities are limitless for this respectable herb. It goes beyond the traditional use in pork sausage ~ being at home with poultry, fish, lamb, pork, wild game, vegetables and bean dishes. Chefs often infuse butter, honey or olive oil with the sage leaves. Eggs marry well with sage, making it a delish addition to omelettes or a frittata. I mix it with hemp seed oil in a soothing, anti-arthritic sea salt scrub. ( More on the scrub recipes and ideas to come ! ;-) )
Please, consider the healing and delicious attributes of the lovely sage plant when gardening. It is a very bee-friendly plant, remember to grow without pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. And, if you are a self - sufficiency, sustainable living, homeopathic, survivalist sort , you will certainly want to learn the many ways sage can benefit your life and be an integral part of your on-demand supply .
followed - looking forward for more, herbs are something most people have forgotten about, even if sage in not that "unknown" most people don´t know anything about it...
keep on going, rly like your post!
thank you so much for your comment and for being a follower ! :-) being a new-comer to this community, I welcome and appreciate replies ~ this started as an overview of what I call the "Scarborough Fair" herb garden, so Sage is the second entry ~ stay tuned for more !
I grew some in my garden last year, not realizing they would overwinter, and was delighted by the flowers, exactly as you have posted. The plant is worth growing just for the spring flowers, as well as the culinary use.
Your response is appreciated ~ thank you so much ! Sage is an incredible herb , offering so much for the kitchen and for the medicine cabinet. I hope to be able to spur an interest and develop more appreciation for the properties of herbs, particularly in getting folks to want to grow their own and developing uses for them. The flowers are like icing on the cake ! Thank you again and happy herbing !
what would you suggest for the top 10 or so to plant? I put in the sage, marjoram, and mint last year. Had to dig out the mint and put it in pots. Will try to give some away, but I don't dislike anyone enough to foist it off on them.
I love your commentary on mint !! Holy smokes is it ever aggressive ! I have a couple of varieties of it , primarily for the salt and sugar scrubs I make ~ and a mint julep now and again ! Lemon balm is another one that rules the world of invasive plants ~ although , it does have many more uses and is quite versatile in several respects ~ but, they don't like to be corralled ! Ok, all that being said ~ my top ten , go-to herbs would be : Rosemary, Oregano , Thyme, Sage, Marjoram, Dill, Basil, Chives , Parsley and Coriander . I suppose that selection is based largely on what I get the most use from, enjoyment from growing and that many can be winter survivors in our climate ~ or, that I can container grow them for year round use. I have Lemon Balm , two kinds of Lavender and Tarragon , which do well here but, I don't find myself using them that often. The Lavender is usually done in flower arrangements for parties or for scrubs. Perhaps I need to venture out more and give them a chance . Our local nursery has some organic Stevia plants that I keep admiring, but wonder how they would do in our area....I thought they were more of a tropical habitat herb.... ? Might give one a go in a pot and keep it inside to try. We gave up refined sugar a couple of years ago and I would like a fresh, natural substitute. It sounds as if you are off to a really good start with your herb garden ~ congratulations ! It is so rewarding to be able to go through the door and have a selection of your own plants to choose from for culinary or therapeutic uses ! Keep me posted on your plantings and ideas ! Perhaps the local farmer's market would be a venue for you to re-home your enthusiastic mint !! ;-) Thank you so much for your reply and blessings to you as you grow !
Great information and a real money saver growing your own herbs. One more step towards self sufficiency. Also has the potential for small local business, selling at the farmers market, bartering, etc. Thanks so much.
Its really quite amazing how many items in the medicine cabinet can be replaced by herbs. As you pointed out, they offer a great opportunity to save money, being easy to grow ( even in small spaces ), harvesting and storage are carefree , and the uses are endless... both culinary and homeopathic. Many are such prolific growers that an abundant harvest gives the grower ample quantity to sell or trade. Learning to use a variety of herbs in salves, rinses and oils is beneficial from a wallet and health standpoint. I value knowing the growing practices and that the herbs we use are free of chemical usage. Thank you for a great reply and being a follower.