A common sight in the mountains in spring are the flowers and new growth of wild sage.
A common sight in the mountains in spring are the flowers and new growth of wild sage.
Although Sage (latin name: salvia officinalis) is easy to grow in your garden either in the ground of a pot, the wild sage is generally more aromatic and therefore worth collecting and drying when in season.
The name Salvia, coming from the Latin ‘Salvus’, means saved, or healthy. Sage was used as a medicinal herb to cure all sorts of ailments, from palsy to snake bites. Known by the Romans as the ‘Holy Herb’, its beneficial properties were thought to be almost limitless.
Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual. Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups. Many other cultures around the world share similar rituals.
Health Benefits
Sage Contains Vitamins A + K, potassium + magnesium + beta carotine. This vitamin, mineral + anti-oxidant rich herb has been shown to have a number of health benefits.
⦁ Reduce inflammation
⦁ Reduce levels of Cholesterol + Regulate Blood Sugar
⦁ Treating digestive problem
⦁ To improve mental function
⦁ To treat painful menstrual cramps, or regulate hot flashes during menopause
⦁ Asthma treatment
⦁ It is even applied topically to the mouth to treat soreness or swelling
The most common use of sage is tea. Sage in Turkish is called adaçayı, which literally translates to island tea, demonstrating its primary use. Sage though can be used in many other dishes and is particularly recognised as a herb which goes well with pork. Pork stuffing at Christmas is incomplete without the addition of sage leaves.
Dried sage is very easy to prepare, when picking choose large, fresh, newly opened leaves. Wash thoroughly then spread on a tray or tie on a line to hang up and leave outside in the sun for 2 or 3 days to dry out thoroughly. You can also dry on a low heat in the over 100°C for 2 hours, but as the leaves dry quickly this is usually unnecessary. Once dry store in an airtight container.
Source: : https://www.wild-sage.co.uk/journal/the-wonders-of-sage https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-burning-sage
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