"Latin Name: Salvia officinalis L.
Family Name: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Common Name: Sage, Garden Sage
Parts Used: The whole non-woody Herb

Botanical Description:
A perennial herbaceous to shrubby plant 30-70 cm (1’-2 ¼ ’) with a woody stem and lower branches giving way to the typicallamiate square stem, covered in a fine down and either green or purplish in colour. The leaves are petiplate and opposite, oblongto lanceolate with a leathery texture, covered in fine down and of similar colour to the stems. The leaf margins are delicately toothed. The flowers are blue, of typical lamiate form and are in spikes of 5-10 flowers. They are relatively large to 3 cm (1¼ ’’), bloom mid-summer to mid autumn. The smell of the leaf, when crushed, is characteristic. There are several varieties that have been produced for gardens. In particular, there are two coloured varieties: so called red or purple sage (S. miltiorhiza) and the narrow leafed sage (S. lavendufolia). The two seem medicinally identical.

Distribution:
Native to southern Europe, particularly the Mediterranean region. On limestone soils in full sun to 750 m (2100’).

Cultivation:
Wild; collected commercially from the wild, especially in Jugoslavia. Well-drained to dry, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Propagate by seed sown in spring, by softwood cuttings or by layering. Sage becomes woody and sparse with age and
should be replaced every 4-7 years.

Harvest:
Leaves are picked before flowers open for oil distillation or drying; but can be picked any time for immediate use.

Constituents:
Volatile oil, saponins, bitter principle, tannins, flavonoids, estrogenic substances, resin. From another source: 1-2.5% essential oil, consisting of thujone (up to calculated 35-60%) and other monoterpenes (particularly cineole) and small amounts of sesquiterpenes; 3-7% tannins, including rosmarinic acid; diterpene bitter substances, e.g. carnosol e=picrosalvin, carnosic acid 12-methylether Y-lactone, rosmarol and its 7-methyl ether, manool etc., terpenes, e.g. oleonolic acid and derivatives. Extraction of an ethanol extract with supercritical carbon dioxide yields a product with greater anti-oxidant activity than butylated hydroxy-toluene.

Properties:
Tonic, Astringent, Diaphoretic, Aromatic, Nervine

In hot infusion Sage is good diaphoretic, producing a free perspiration. Care should be taken after using this article as it opens the pores quite freely and the patient should not too readily be exposed lest fresh cold may result. The leaves of Sage contain considerable volatile oil, hence it should never be boiled. It is very soothing to the nerves, being used largely to quiet nervous excitement in brain and nervous troubles, also in the delirium of fevers. Make the infusion of ½ ounce to one pint of hot or boiling water.

It is a splendid article to use as a gargle in sore throat, made as follows:
Salvia Whole, Aerial Non-Woody Part 1 ounce
Hot (not boiling) Water 1 pint
Powdered Borax 1 drachm
Honey 2 ounces
Cover till cold. Strain and gargle freely. If a more stimulating gargle is desired, equal parts of vinegar and water may be used. Bring to a boil and pour on the ingredients. Cover close till cold and strain and use freely. Sage tea given in cold infusion will, within a few days, cause the milk to leave to breasts and prevent milk from forming where this is desirable in nursing mothers, as in the cases of inflammation or gathering in the breasts.

In making the infusion see to it that no steam escapes, as the result will not be nearly as good.

Contraindications:
The pure essential oil and alcoholic extracts should NOT be taken during pregnancy.

Side effects:
on prolonged use of alcoholic extracts and the pure essential oil, epileptiform convulsions may occur. The high activity of Salvia is reflected in the toxicity of its components when taken in isolation. Although the toxicity of the whole plant is negligible, there is no doubt that very large quantities should be avoided. Its use to reduce mothers’ milk supply during weaning will not harm the suckling infant if the dosage is adhered to. "
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