Ancient Egyptian women drank sage tea as an aid to fertility. In ancient Greece it was used for healing and as an anti-bacterial agent. Those anti-bacterial properties have made it a personal deodorant in some cultures. And, of course, it’s widely used in cooking!
So easy to grow and so beneficial! You can grow sage outdoors in most climates or in a pot if your winters are too harsh. In fact, because it loves good drainage, it’s a perfect ‘pot plant’ in any climate.
A perennial herb, you can grow it from seed or cuttings or just pick up a tub of seedlings from your local nursery. There are different varieties best suited to different uses – ornamental, insect repellant, culinary or medicinal. Look for the genus Salvia. Salvia officinalis is most commonly used in cooking while Sage Sclarea is the variety typically used in pharmaceutical products.
A quick search will turn up page after page of food recipes using sage so let’s take a quick look at why you might want to grow medicinal sage…
Sage oil is extracted through steam distillation, something that you can do in your own kitchen. The oil is present throughout the whole plant but is usually extracted from the leaves and new buds. The oil contains many compounds but the eight most beneficial are:
- Sclareol
- Caryophllene
- Neryl Acetate
- Alpha Terpineol
- Geraniol
- Linalyl Acetate
- Linalool and
- Germacrene-D
Sage oil has been shown to help in many conditions including:.
Sage Oil Can Help With Mental Health
Sage oil is a natural antidepressant with adherents claiming the oil can relieve anxiety and can boost mental strength and self-esteem.
To enhance relaxation and mental well-being, sage leaves can be bound and burned as incense.
Sage Oil Reduces Convulsions
The oil is an anti-convulsive and can aid in the prevention of repetitive convulsions. Research shows that it can be beneficial id the treatment of epilepsy as the oil acts a mild sedative capable of relaxing tense nerves.
Sage Oil is Useful in the Treatment of Spasms and Related Ailments
Sage oil is an antispasmodic. It has been used to treat sudden involuntary muscular contractions or convulsive movements. It works by relaxing and reducing nerve impulses. As such it is effective in controlling cramps.
Sage Oil Kills Bacteria
Sage oil is an effective antibacterial capable of killing both bacteria and fungi. It has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bacterial infections of the digestive, urinary, and excretory systems.
Sage Oil Can Speed The Healing Of Wounds
Because sage oil is antiseptic, it can be applied to wounds to prevent the risk of infection.
Sage Oil Can Enhance Your Libido
Sage oil acts as an aphrodisiac! It does so by increasing testosterone levels which can, in turn, increase sexual desire in both men and women. Sage oil has even been used to treat impotency.
Sage Oil is Good for Your Skin and Hair
Sage oil is an astringent and tightens skin so that you both look and feel younger.
Sage Oil can be Used as a Deodorant
Some people find that commercial deodorants cause skin rash. Others just don’t like ‘what’s on the label’. Sage oil is a natural deodorizer due to its anti-bacterial properties.
Convinced that it’s time to start growing sage? If you don’t have the time or space but still want all the benefits that the oil offers, you can choose from a good range of commercial alternatives here…
BTW, another fabulous herb for your garden is lavender. It looks great, smells even better, will keep mosquitoes away and also has many medicinal uses.
