Garden Sage

Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is easy to grow—and a wonderful culinary herb! Flavor meat and bean dishes.

Sage is a hardy perennial with pretty, grayish-green leaves that like as good in a perennial border as they do in a vegetable garden. It grows spikes of spring flowers in different colors, including purple, blue, white, and pink.

The origin of the salvia name speaks to this herb’s age-old medicinal value from the Latin salvus “to save” and salvere, “to heal”. Sage contains antioxidants which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer. It’s also rich in vitamin K, which aids the body in clotting blood.

Sage also has medicinal properties that is useful to women for hot flushes. Learn more below.

Therapeutic Properties

Sage can be made into a tea but does not taste good to most people. The honey and sage recipe below is a great way to take sage.

The most remarkable therapeutic virtue of sage is that it prevents sweating (this action begins 2 hours after intake of the drink and can last many days).
Also has antibiotic, antifungal, antispasmodic and hypoglycemic action.
Stops milk production, is antiphysical, spasmolytic, tonic, antidiarrheal and has an estrogenic effect.
Exercises mucous action (cough, sinusitis).
As an astrinstic, stimulant, and tonic, it causes heat in the stomach, facilitates digestion, causes diuresis, accelerates circulation, exerts a significant effect on the brain, and as an antispasmodic and soothing drug, mitigates irritation of the nervous system.
It is the strongest progestogenic herb, useful therefore, in the symptoms of menopause and dysmenorrhea (menstruation), especially in sweats.
Sage in the form of a decoction is ideal for the healing of the mouth in case of injuries, foams, pharyngitis and against gingivitis.
It stimulates the nerves, adrenal glands, and circulatory system. Recommended for any form of atony and weakness, nervous weakness, tremor, vertigo, and neuralgia.
Acts against sugar, rheumatism, gout and diarrhea.
Due to the action of antioxidants, Sage has the ability to extinguish free radicals produced in humans by various mechanisms and which are responsible for many chronic diseases.
Stimulates and rejuvenates tired and sore muscles and relieves cramps.
The oil or dried leaves are added to the hot water and become gargle. This particular herb has anti-inflammatory properties and provides a relaxing feeling in the throat.
It’s said to sharpen the intellect and especially the perceptiveness.

How to Plant Sage

Plant sage in full sun.
Sage should be planted in well-draining soil; it won’t tolerate sitting in wet soil.
The easiest and best way to start sage is from a small plant. Set the plants 2 feet apart.
You can also sow seeds up to two weeks before the last frost date. Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil 1 to 2 weeks before the last spring frost.
For best growth, the soil should be between 60º and 70ºF.
Plants should grow to be between 12 and 30 inches in height.
In the garden, plant near rosemary, cabbage, and carrots, but keep away from cucumbers.

How to Harvest Sage

Pinch off leaves or snip off small sprigs from the plant.
During the first year, harvest lightly to ensure that the plant grows fully.
After the first year, be sure to leave a few stalks so that the plant can rejuvenate in the future.
If fully established, one plant can be harvested up to three times in one season.
Stop harvesting in the fall so the plant can prepare for winter.

How to Store Sage

Sage’s flavor is best when fresh, but it can be stored frozen or dried.
To dry, hang sprigs in a shady, well-ventilated area and allow them to air dry, waiting until the leaves crumble easily to store in tightly lidded jars.
Sage keeps its flavor better if stored in the freezer. Freeze leaves or stalks on a tray, then move the leaves into a zippered bag or container. Some cooks blend the leaves with oil, pack the ground mixture into ice cube trays to freeze, and then transfer the cubes to a container.

Homemade Sage Honey

Sage makes a healing syrup for sore throat and hoariness. Harvest fresh sage leaves (dried leaves can be used but are stronger), tear into small pieces, place in glass jar, pour local honey over leaves, and lid. That’s all. Allow to infuse for two weeks and remove leaves when time is up. Take a teaspoon of sage honey, allowing it to coat throat several times a day until throat is better.

Sage Tea

Pour one cup of boiling water over one tablespoon of fresh chopped leaves or one teaspoon dried leaves in a glass jar. Cover and allow to steep until cooled. Remove leaves. Gargle with tea several times a day. Store remaining tea for later in the refrigerator in a plastic lidded glass jar.

Cooking With Sage

Learn to cook with herbs you probably already have in your kitchen. Including Sage. The eBook by Lisa Ray of Sage Hill Botanicals will show you the herbs to use in meats, vegetables, and much more. Buy HERE and download to your computer, tablet, or phone to take with you to the market of kitchen.

Garden Sage