SAGE

The following in an excerpt from the forthcoming collection, "Thyme For Herbs" by Corinne Hemstreet.


SAGE

Thanks to 21st century research sage (Salvia officinalis) is now being touted as a powerful remedy for Alzheimer’s, depression, and a wide range of other complaints. Although this has been proclaimed for centuries by folklorists and herbalists, as well as medical persons of the time, and country folk who recognized the value of their herbs, it left scientists cold until recent research.

In his1597 Herbal John Gerard, the famous English apothecary, wrote of sage “It quickeneth the senses and memory.” The early Romans valued sage highly as suggested by its Roman name Salvia salvatrix meaning “Sage the Savior.” A popular medieval text Regimen Sanitatis asked the question, “How shall a man die who has Sage in his garden?” But it was not until the 21st century research found within sage the same oils and components as used in modern medicine for these diseases that sage’s properties received full acclaim. More and more modern research seems to agree with the old English proverb, “He that would live for aye, should eat sage in May.” For centuries it has been recommended that sage be taken daily to delay the rapid progress of decay that treads upon our heels in the latter years of life.

Sage is an aromatic shrubby plant with pebbly opposite leaves 1 ½ inches to 2 inches long, oblong shaped, with a soft greyish-green (our sage- green) color. Its purple flowers appear in whorls during August. Occasionally the plant is started from seeds but it is best propagated from cuttings taken in early spring . The leaves of the plant are the most flavorful and generally the part used, although all parts of the plant are usable.

Mabel Grieves in A Modern Herbal gives this old-fashioned recipe for sage tea - “a pleasant drink, cooling in fevers.” Infuse ½ oz sage leaves, 1 oz sugar, juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 oz grated rind, in a quart boiling water. Strain off after half an hour.

A Gargle for Sore Throat: Pour 8 oz boiling water over a teaspoon of dried sage or 4 fresh leaves. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Gargle 3-6 times a day for throat infections and laryngitis.

Dr. Henri Leclerc, a French physician from the early part of the 20th century, recommended regular doses of sage wine for those suffering from “nervous exhaustion due to physical or mental overwork, or stress.” Sage wine, suggested by Dr. Leclerc, is made by adding 80 g of fresh sage leaves to 1 litre of a light sweet wine. Seal and leave to macerate for eight days. Then strain and drink a small glassful 1-3 tablespoons twice a day after meals. Then say good-bye to winter - and rainy spring - blues.