Common Name: |
Common Sage |
Botanical Name: |
Salvia officinalis |
Genus: |
Salvia |
Family: |
Lamiaceae |
Native Location: |
Mediterranean and N Africa |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained to dry, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Salvia miltiorhiza needs moist, sandy soil; tolerates partial shade. Most sages dislike damp conditions and low light in winter; they are often hardier in dry, sunny positions. Sages grown in a greenhouse are prone to spider mite, aphids, and whitefly. Many sages become woody and sparse with age and should be replaced every 4-7 years. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring (species and annuals only); by basal or softwood cuttings in spring and summer; by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and early autumn; by division (S. miltiorhiza). Salvia lyrata, S. sclarea and S. viridis may self-sow freely. Salvia greggii is grown as an annual in areas with cold winters. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are picked for immediate use, or before flowers open for oil distillation and drying; dried leaves are used in infusions, liquid extracts, and tinctures. Roots are lifted in late autumn and winter, and dried for pills, decoctions, and tinctures. Ripe seeds are dried for use in macerations, or pressed for oil. Flower spikes are cut in summer. Galls (S. pomifera) are picked in spring, and candied. |
Height: |
60-80cm (24-32in) |
Width: |
1m (3ft) |
Variations: |
Albiflora Syn. Alba Has white flowers. |
Aurea Has chartreuse-yellow leaves, green along the veins. Height: 45cm (18in) Width: 60cm (2ft) |
Berggarten Has a dense, compact habit, and large, broad leaves. Height: 45cm (18in) |
Compacta Syn. Dwarf, Nana Has small leaves and a dwarf, compact habit. Height: 20-25cm (8-10in) Width: 60cm (24in) |
Crispa Has crinkled leaves with crisped margins. |
Holt's Mammoth Is vigorous, with large leaves and a fine flavor; rarely flowers. Height: 1m (3ft) |
Icterina Has yellow-variegated leaves. |
Kew Gold Has a compact, dwarf habit, and yellow leaves. Height: 30cm (12in) Width: 45cm (18in) |
Purpurescens (Purple Sage) Has purple-gray foliage. |
Purpurescens Variegata Has purple-gray leaves with irregular pink variegations. |
Tricolor Has irregular pink and ivory variegation. Tends to be less vigorous tand hardy than the species. |
White Dalmation Has small, very pale gray-green leaves and a superior, less bitter flavor. |
|
Hardiness: |
Z5-8 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, oil. |
Properties: |
An astringent, antiseptic, tonic herb with a camphoraceous aroma. It relaxes spasms, suppresses perspiration and lactation, improves liver function and digestion, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and estrogenic effects. Many herbalists regard 'Purpurescens' as more potent than the species. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for indigestion, gas, liver complains, excessive lactation, night sweats, excessive salivation (as in Parkinson's Disease), profuse perspiration, (as in tuberculosis), anxiety, depression, female sterility, and menopausal problems. Externally for insect bites, throat, mouth, gum, and skin infections, and vaginal discharge. Combined with Potentilla erecta (See, Tormentil) as a gargle and with Chamaemelum nobile (See, Roman Chamomile) and Filipendula ulmaria (See, Meadowsweet) for digestive problems. |
Culinary Uses: |
Leaves are used to flavor meat dishes (especially pork), liver, goose, soups, stews, sauces, sausages, saltimbocca (and Italian dish of Veal and Ham), eels, and stuffings for pork and poultry; also as an ingredient of sage Derby cheese (England) and American sage cheese. Fresh or dried leaves are made into tea. |
Economic Uses: |
Oil is ued as a fixative for perfumes; also added to toothpastes and cosmetics. |
Warning: |
Toxic in excess over long periods. Contraindicated during pregnancy and for epilepsy. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 353-356 |