Salvias Plant

Sage Plant (Salvia officinalis) is a fascinating plant with an exceptional flavor and is considered to be a miraculous food supplement that works as a wonderful health supplement. “Whoever has sage in their garden, will not die”, this is not my statement but monks of the Middle age believed so. The botanical name of sage Salvia has been derived from the Latin word ‘Salvare’ means to cure. Now the belief of the monks needs not any clarification. Some Indo-European people settled in England called Celts worshipped the herb; members of the high-ranking priestly class in ancient Celtic cultures believed that sage could bring back the dead. It is scripted truth that the Chinese exchanged their treasured tea for sage leaves, as they were convinced that sage had the property to prolong life. Sage tea is common in European countries and the USA. Ayurveda and some other traditional medicinal streams suggest sage leaves to cure many health issues. Women like sage leave as culinary in their kitchen to make their dishes tastier.

White and Purple Sage

Description:

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial evergreen sub-shrub with woody stems, grayish-green leaves, blue to purple flowers, and a strong aroma. It is a member of the mint family and native to the Mediterranean region but is now grown and cultivated all over the world. People grow it in their gardens, balcony, and even in the kitchen as its leaves are being used fresh as well as dried as a flavoring agent in many foods vegan or nonveg. Some people grow sage plants as decorative plants also. The oval leaves are rough and usually downy; the color ranges from grayish green to whitish green. The flowers are borne in spikes and feature tubular two-lipped corollas. Flowers of blue, purple, and white attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The fruits like nuts contain small spherical seeds having oil in them.

Sage Herb Uses

Uses:

Uses of Sage plant can be classified into three types

• Culinary Uses
• Medicinal Uses
• Cosmetic Uses

Sage Leaves

Culinary Uses:

Sage leaves are used as fresh and also dried in many dishes to make the dishes more tasty and aromatic. The taste and smell of sage leaves add to the taste and smell of the food only by frying the dish with butter and sage leaves. Holiday dishes in intercontinental restaurants have sage leaves as an essential ingredient. Sauces, chutneys, salads, and garnishing materials are prepared using sage plant leaves. Sage leaves are used to season poultry or sausage, infuse butter, to add flavor to root vegetables like sweet potatoes or parsnips. Sage leaves are added to tea making the tea tastier and more energetic.

Medicinal Uses:

Sage has several proven health benefits. Traditionally Sage is used for digestive problems, loss of appetite, gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. Women use it during painful menstrual periods, to regulate excessive milk flow during nursing, and to reduce hot flashes during menopause.  Sage can help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. The sage plant has been awarded twenty-eight (28) compounds of medicinal value such as Cineol, Camphor, α-Thujone, β-Thujone, Borneol, Bornyl Acetate, Camphene, and Viridiflorol are some of them. Some specific medicinal uses of sage plants are as follows:

Antioxidant property:

Compounds of antioxidant properties present in sage plant leaves protect the body against oxidative stress and free radicals-induced damage which may cause many ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, brain disorders, cancer, and weakening of immunity.

Memory Boosting Properties:

Some of the compounds present in sage plant leave benefit memory disorders, depression, cerebral ischemia, and Alzheimer’s. The use of sage plant leaves improves memory and cognition; elevates alertness, calmness, and contentedness.

Lowering Blood Glucose and Cholesterol:

Sage leaves have anti-hyperglycemic and lipid profile-improving properties helping cure type 2- diabetes. Sage leaves have properties to lower bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol.

Controlling Inflammation:

Certain compounds present in sage plant leaves appear to have anti-inflammatory action, especially for gingival fibroblasts in the connective tissues of gums. Some compounds present in the plant show antifungal and anti-microbial effects along with anti-inflammatory effects.

Nutrition:

Sage plant leaves contain lots of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals providing significant amounts of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers. One teaspoon full of ground sage plant leaf contains calories- 2 units, Magnesium- 3mg, Phosphorus- 1mg, potassium- 7mg, Folate- 2mcg, Beta-Carotene- 24mcg, Vitamin A- 41 IU, Vitamin K- 12mcg. Apart from these nutrients, the plant leaves contain many medically important compounds boosting immunity.

Cosmetic Use:

Sage Plant leaves contain many aromatic hydrocarbons which can control the production of melanin and regulate certain hormones responsible for the health of skin and blood. Some cosmetic products are made using the extracts of Sage plant leaves and oils of Sage plants. The pleasant aroma of the plant is often used as a fragrance for soaps.

Salvias or Sage Plant side effects

Risks:

Natural Sage plant leaves are completely safe; no side effects have been reported yet except allergic effects, but products of different brands manufacturing different medicinal products or cosmetic products may have some side effects due to the composition of chemicals and also due to dosage. Most of the products made from the oil of Sage are recommended for external use, oral consumption of these products may cause complications.

Conclusion:

Sage is a staple herb in various cuisines around the world. It contains many nutrients to lead towards healthy life and also many aromatic compounds fit for our kitchen and also for our health. It contains antioxidants that may help promote oral health and brain function. It may help to maintain blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol. It decorates our look, our health, and also our garden.

FAQs:

1. What is the Sage plant?

The sage plant is a herbaceous plant of the Salvia genus, which is part of the mint family.

2. What are the different types of Sage plants?

There are nearly 90 types of sage plants but some common are- Common Sage (Salvia officinalis), Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans), White Sage (Salvia apiana), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), and Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha)

3. How can the sage plant grow?

Sage plants can be grown using seeds and also using stem cuttings.

4. Can Sage plants tolerate cold weather?

Most species of Sage can tolerate cold weather.

5. How often the sage plants should water?

Planted in well-drained soil Sage require water twice a week.

6. How do the leaves of Sage use in cooking?

Sage leaves are used in culinary dishes for strong flavor.

7. What are the major health benefits of Sage?

Sage plants have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, so they help with various health issues.

8. Is there any risk in using Sage leaves?

Natural leaves are safe to use unless you are not allergic.