Common Names: Common Sage, Garden Sage, Kitchen Sage, Spanish sage, Dalmatian Sage,
Broadleaf Sage, Narrow-leaved sage
Description:
Sage are evergreen perennial shrubs that grows up to 75 cm high with woody, branching
stem. The leaves are grayish green in color and has a bluish violet flowers in summer.
The shape is like a lance with prominent veins and fine hair-like filaments on the sides.
The sage herbs have sweet, savory flavor that are harvested just before flowering.
Sage was originally grown in southern and Eastern Europe, around the Mediterranean and
in Asia Minor. It is often used in Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Sage is available fresh or dried whole or powdered. It is usually used to season
poultry, pork and other meat dishes.
Fresh leaves are most sought after for culinary use because of its aromatic, subtle
flavor. One can store fresh herbs in plastic bags and placed inside refrigerator.
Dried sage should be kept in an air-tight container and can be used to season dishes.Health Benefits and Medicinal properties:
Sage is a very good source of Vitamin A(in the form of provitamin A carotenoid
phytonutrients), Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B complex(folic acid, thiamin,
pyridoxine and riboflavin), calcium, iron and potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, and
magnesium.
Sage also contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, and
luteolin), and phenolic acids(rosmarinic acid) which acts as an anti-inflammatory
within the body. With the presence of these volatile oil, sage has become a powerful
antioxidant, protecting cells from being damaged by oxidation and forming cancerous
cells.
This herb also has antiseptic properties, which can treat cuts and sores if prepared
as a wash.
Sage contains ketones; a-thujone, and ß-thujone, cineol, borneol, tannic acid; bitter
substances like cornsole and cornsolic acid; fumaric, chlorogenic, caffeic and
nicotinic acids; nicotinamide and estrogenic substances. These compounds have
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic and
anti-septic properties.
Sage is low in fat and calories.
Cancer - as mentioned above, sage has become a powerful
antioxidant, protecting cells from being damaged by oxidation and forming cancerous
cells.
Memory loss- Sage can improve and enhance one's memory.
Sore throat and mouth infections - boil sage leaves and use it to gargle.
Hot flushes - drink sage tea several times a day.
Hair loss and graying hair - boil sage leaves, let it cool and use it as a hair rinse.
Rheumatoid arthritis - sage has anti-inflammatory properties.
Adverse Effects:
Sage when used in large amounts can cause nervous irritation, convulsions or even
death. Those with epilepsy should avoid this in huge amounts.