Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage (Salvia officinalis, Salvia grande or Garden Sage) is a perennial herb which is widely used both in cooking (in particular, to flavor various dishes with meat, omelets, soups, cheese, etc.) and in herbal medicine as an effective antiseptic and natural antibiotic. The herb received its name Salvia Officinalis from Latin Salvere – to heal, and such known ancient physicians as Hippocrates and Pedanius Dioscorides studied therapeutic properties of sage. In the Roman Empire, sage was considered to be a “sacred herb”, because it could create and save human life. A sage tea was believed to help women to conceive, as well as to be a perfect tonic for body and mind and a refreshing beverage associated with wisdom, clear thinking, being in good humor and good health. Read the rest of this entry »