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Sage
(Salvia officinalis)
garden sage
 Description:
A shrubby perennial. The strongly branched root, produces
square, finely hairy stems,and is woody at the base. Leaves
are gray-green, textured, opposite, downy, entire or finely
crenate. The floral leaves are ovate, ovate-lanceolate.
Purple, blue or white two lipped flowers grow in whorls
that form terminal racemes. It is commercially cultivated
for a kitchen spice. Grows wild in southern Europe.
EDIBLE,
Medicinal: Fresh and dried leaves are used to flavor
foods The flowers are tossed in salads. It is a antihydrotic,
galactophygous, antispasmodic, and astringent. It helps
reduce
perspiration, and stops the flow of mother’s milk.
A tea is also used for nervous conditions, trembling,
depression, diarrhea, a gargle for sore throat, tonsillitis,
and laryngitis. Steep 1 teaspoon of the leaves
in 1/2 cup water for 30 minutes. Take 1 cup a day, a tablespoon
at a time. Extended or excessive use can cause symptoms
of poisoning. The crushed fresh leaves are used to put
on insect bites.
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