sage

Sage

Sage is one of the most fragrant herbs in the herb family. It has such a fragrant aroma that it is often used in soaps and room sprays. A member of the mint family, it produces purple and blue flowers with gray leaves. It is considered an evergreen perennial with an established history of culinary and medicinal use.

Benefits of Sage

Sage has, at times, been used to ward off evil. There is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness in regards to this area of study, but this has not stopped humans for centuries from using it to attempt to repel evil spirits.

Sage leaves are also used to make medicines to help in treating diarrhea, heartburn and gastritis, and appetite loss. It is also a good treatment for such mood disorders as depression and even Alzheimer’s disease. In patients with Alzheimer’s, sage has been shown to improve learning, information processing, and memory.

Sage can also be paired with rhubarb to help treat cold sores quiet effectively. It can also be used to treat memory function, mental alertness and attention span.

For women, sage can be used to help with menstrual cramps and help with hot flashes. It is also used to help treat asthma.

How to Grow Sage

Sage’s velvety gray green leaves do not tolerate heat well and will not survive the hot summer in warmer climates. In more temperate climates, it will return year after year as a perennial. Sage does well if planted with other herbs like rosemary. If planted in a container, it will grow if the soil is rich and well-drained.

It certainly grows just fine if planted into the ground. Make sure that it has a lot of air circulation around it and room to grow. It is a low growing shrub that will branch out if able.

Troubleshooting Sage

Sage is prone to mildew and needs good air circulation. It also needs a dry plant bed. If a covering is used around the base of the plant, give it rocks or pebbles instead of mulch. This will maintain a dry area which would normally be prone to rot.

Sage can be found at most farmers markets and specialty stores for use in kitchen herb gardens and simple cooking. It can be hung upside down for drying and used for its fragrance and its decorative appearance.

Sage has been used for centuries and will be for more to come. You should have no problem finding ways to include it into your life. Now that is sage advice.