Salvia officinalis - Sage
Salvia officinalis - Sage
Common Name: Sage
Scientific Name: Salvia officinalis
Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Primary Uses
Edible Parts: Otherwise known as Kitchen Sage, Salvia officinalisleaves are edible raw or cooked. It is a versatile herb and can be used to flavor other dishes, as an aromatic fragrance, or made into a tea. Sage essential oil is also popular for aromatherapy and use in baked goods. Although this plant is highly edible and medicinal, it can be toxic when taken in excess.
Medicinal Uses: Sage acts as an antidiarrhoeal, antihydrotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant, and vasodilator. The plant has roots in ancient Greece, but gained its high status in the Middle Ages where it was exalted for its healing power. To this day, people across the world use sage to treat digestive disorders, ulcers, and skin irritations or wounds.
Meaning of Scientific Name: Salvia stems from the Latin words Salvere (health, to heal) and salus (salvation, well-being). The Latin word Officinalis directly translates to “of or belonging to an officina,” the so-called medicine storeroom of a monastery. Hence, household sage was appropriately named, as its uses are rooted in a long history of medicinal use. However, today its applications have transcended individual thought and entered the kitchens of millions of humans worldwide.
Designing with this Plant
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5
Forest garden layer: Herb layer
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