SAGE— Salvia officinalis, L.( N. O.: Labiatae)
Common Names: Garden Sage, Wild Sage. Features: Sage is a name covering both the common garden herb( S. officinalis) and other plants of diverse families, somewhat resembling it in colour or odour. Sage is native to southern Europe, but has been naturalized in North America for the last three centuries as a garden and wild herbal shrub. This perennial has erect, branched semi-shrubby hoary down. The majority of the leaves are greygreen, opposite, entire and reticulate veined; with the base leaves of a woolly white. The flowers, blue with white and purple streaks, blossom in whorls of varying lengths, springing from a common stem, in June and July, and this is the proper time to carefully gather the leaves and tops to dry for future use. Found in stony places throughout the U. S. A.
The strong aromatic camphorous odour is a characteristic of Sage, and it has a warm, slightly bitter taste. Highly prized as winter foliage for livestock. Sage is well known for seasoning, dressing, soups, roasts, etc. A volatile oil may be obtained by distilling the plant. Medicinal Part: The leaves. Solvents: Dilute alcohol, boiling water( partially). Bodily Influence: Tonic, Astringent, Expectorant, Diaphoretic. Uses: An old English proverb:“ He that would live for aye must eat sage in May.” The infusion is much valued in cases of gastric debility, checking flatulency with speed and certainty. The warm infusion will activate its diaphoretic tendency. In fevers it should be given in cold infusions as a substitute for fruit juice. Use 2 teaspoonfuls in 1 pint of boiling water, steep 1 hr., cool, strain and when cold take every hour or two until sweating subsides.
The express juice taken for a considerable time is excellent in rheumatic pains and was formerly used as an agent against venereal disease, but since the introduction of mercury its use has been set aside.
When conditions advance to consumption, fast, use 3 tablespoonfuls of the juice with a little honey; this will usually stop the spitting of blood. For foul ulcers or old lesions, use as indicated by case. The infusion as a gargle for sore, ulcerated, strained, relaxed vulva, etc., of the throat is worth remembering, used alone or with cider vinegar, honey, Sumach( Rhus glabrum).
From Dr. Brown( 1895):“ It is called by some a most capital remedy for spermatorrhoea, and for excessive venereal desire, and I am one of those who know from experience in my practice that it is grand for what is termed sexual debility when its use is indicated.” Dose: Tincture, 16 – 40 drops three or four times a day. Decoction, 1 teaspoonful of leaves to 1 cupful of boiling water, hot or cold depending an condition of its use. Externally: The decoction is used to cleanse old ulcers and wounds, and massaged into the scalp if troubled with dandruff, falling hair or loss of hair if the papilla( root) is dormant and not destroyed. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh leaves and blossom tip— Cough( tickling), Phthisis, Night sweats. Russian Experience: The Middle Ages gave much credit to the power of Shalfey( Sage) as a food and medicine. Many couplets like the following have been written about it:
“ Contra vim mortis Crescit salvia in hortis.”
(“ Against power of death