sage

  Sage

      Salvia officinalis/Sage is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and native to the Mediterranean region, though it has been naturalized in many places throughout the world. It is used fresh or dried as a flavouring in many foods, particularly in stuffings for poultry and pork and in sausages. Some varieties are also grown as ornamentals for their attractive leaves and flowers. Several other species of the genus Salvia are also known as sage.
Conservation status: 
Scientific name: Salvia officinalis
Higher classification: Sage
Family: Lamiaceae
Order: Lamiales
Kingdom: Plantae







Sage is a perennial plant and grows about 60 cm (2 feet) tall. The oval leaves are rough or wrinkled and usually downy; the color ranges from gray-green to whitish green, and some varieties are variegated. The flowers are borne in spikes and feature tubular two-lipped corollas that are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers can be purple, pink, white, or red and produce nutlet fruits.

What is sage plant used for?

Sage is an herb. The leaf is used to make medicine. Sage is used for digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas (flatulence), stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn.

Is Sage easy to grow?

A member of the mint family, sage is easy to grow and does well in containers, the ground and indoors. 

 Benefits of Burning Sage


Where did the practice originate?

Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual. 

Smudging has been well established as a Native American cultural or tribal practice, although it isn’t practiced by all groups.

We have the traditions of many Native American peoples to thank for its use. This includes the Lakota, Chumash, Cahuilla, among others.

Many other cultures around the world share similar rituals. 

Read on to learn more about the benefits of burning sage and how you can use it to improve your overall well-being.

The most-used types of sage have antimicrobial properties. This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.

White prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is both antimicrobial and antibacterial. White sage (Salvia apiana) is also antimicrobial. And both have been shown to repel insects.

Beliefs that burning sage clears out spiritual impurities, pathogens, and even insects have been fundamental to the practice of smudging. 

It turns out that sage may help clear the air of lots more than bugs and bacteria.

Though scientifically unproven, burning sage is thought to release negative ions. This is said to help neutralize positive ions. 

Common positive ions are allergens like:

  • pet dander
  • pollution
  • dust
  • mold 

If this is the case, burning sage may be a blessing for those with asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. But inhaling the smoke during the smudging can aggravate any respiratory condition. Wait until the smoke clears before going into the room. 

3. It can be a spiritual tool

Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition. 

For healers and laypeople in traditional cultures, burning sage is used to achieve a healing state — or to solve or reflect upon spiritual dilemmas.

This may have some scientific basis, too. Certain types of sage, including salvia sages and white prairie sage, contain thujone.

Research shows that thujone is mildly psychoactive. It’s actually found in many plants used in cultural spiritual rituals to enhance intuition.


Smudging has been traditionally used to safeguard against negativity that could interfere with sleep. Some research suggests that sage contains compounds that could help ease insomnia. Classic garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is sometimes burned like white sage. It’s also been used to improve sleep and soothe anxiety.

Conclusion:

The sage in my garden has been the most neglected plant yet , it has leaves all year round and produces beautiful lavender flowers, they are super attractive for birds and butterflies.
try growing them and enjoy. I am yet to try using them in cooking...




Comments

Post a Comment