Sage

Most gardeners are familiar with at least one of the over 700 species of sage, or salvia. As a beautiful member of the mint family, the shrubby, aromatic perennial send spires upward to show off its lavendar (and occasionally pink, white or red) flowers. Traditional sage, Salvia officinalis, has gray/green leaves, but many other varieties (grown primarily for ornamental use) sport purple, creamy rose, and yellow variegated leaves. Irresistible to the touch, the lance-shaped leaves are wrinkled, with many soft white hairs on the underside.

This herb is no newcomer. Sage was valued by the Romans, who had a special ceremony for gathering the herb and who introduced it to Europe as a medicine. During the Middle Ages, it was relied upon as a spring tonic, the French called it "toute bonne," or "all is well." Evidently these earlier herbalists were on to something. Today sage is used in seasonings, tea, medicinal remedies, baths, incense, and skincare.

Medicinal Remedies
Aiding digestion, Alzheimer's disease, bacterial & fungal infections, insect bites, calming and stimulating the nervous system, candida, colds, coughs, dental abscesses, excessive menstrual bleeding, hot flashes, irregular and scanty periods, infected gums, indigestion, throat, mouth, and gum infections, soothing the digestive tract are among a few. Sage is usually taken internally or a as a gargle or mouthwash in these circumstances.

Tea
Many people enjoy sage as a flavorful tea all on its own. To make sage tea steep 1 tablespoon of dried sage in 1 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Note: drinking sage tea while pregnant or nursing is usually not advised

Look for sage in other mixtures as well and see if you can pick up the taste.

Spiritual Use - Smudging
Smudging is the common name given to a blessing and powerful cleansing tequnique from the Native American tradition. Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out bad spirits, feelings, or influences, and also to keep bad spirits from entering the area where a ceremony takes place. The theory is that the smoke attaches itself to the negative energy and as it clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space to be regenerated.

Skincare
For the skin, sage is astringent, antiseptic and antibacterial. It balances the production of sebum and eliminates over-dry and over-oily skin. It acts as a tonic of the skin. Sage can also be used in hair care for regulating the sebum production and eliminating greasy, oily hair and scalp.