Salvia officinalis is a reliable and proven remedy. It has been known since ancient times. The birthplace of this small (up to 70 cm) shrub is supposedly called the Mediterranean. Currently, it has spread throughout southern and central Europe, cultivated in the Crimea and the Caucasus, and brought to America.
In fairness, it must be said that not all types of sage, but there are more than 700 of them, are used by man. The most famous are medicinal sage, the use of which in medicine has more than one millennium, and clary sage, the tart taste of which has long been used in culinary art.
Sage in medicine
One of the first references to sage can be found in the writings of the ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder in his Natural History. He wrote about the properties of the leaves of this plant to heal wounds. Salvia officinalis, the use of which was described by Pliny the Elder, contains a plant antibiotic salvin in the aerial part, which made it possible to heal wounds in those times.
Hippocrates called it "sacred grass," and the women of ancient Egypt were charged with the duty of drinking sage infusions after epidemics and bloody wars. Leaf juice helped with infertility and thus increased fertility.
Modern medicine confirms the healing properties of the plant. Salvia officinalis, the use of leaves and flowers of which has been practiced since time immemorial, is in demand today. It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, astringent and hemostatic properties. From fresh mashed leaves, a compress is made on the tumor, a rinse is rinsed with a decoction for sore throat and stomatitis. To reduce sweating, a collection of medicinal plants is used, from which sage is included.
The leaves of the plant contain essential oil (up to 3%). It is recognized as the most important therapeutic factor in sage. It contains alkaloids, tannins, kafora, cineole, ursuloic and other acids. Sage oil, the use of 2-3 drops of which, when inhaled by steam, is strongly advised to add doctors, is used for respiratory diseases. Some modern authors recommend an aromatherapy session before making important decisions. The advice is based on the fact that sage has a positive effect on the nervous system, strengthening it. In addition, trembling of the extremities is reduced.
In folk medicine, sage has found medicinal use for a long time. For weaning, nursing mothers drank leaf tea. Decoctions and infusions were used to treat gastritis, kidney and liver diseases. Tea with sage leaf infusion is an excellent remedy for hypertension, atherosclerosis, and during menopause in women.
It is dangerous to self-medicate. How to take sage and how much, you should appoint a doctor. It must be recalled that its preparations can not be taken with exacerbations of kidney stone disease, during pregnancy. For the preparation of weak herbal tea for routine prevention is enough 1 tbsp. a spoonful of freshly chopped leaves pour a glass of boiling water. Take no more than 3 cups per day.
Sage in cooking and gardening
Young leaves are used to make salads. The spicy taste of sage adds a subtle flavor to fish and meat dishes. Dry leaf powder is used to make many varieties of hard cheese. The roots and stems of the plant are used in South America for the preparation of nectars in the hot season. But you must use sage very carefully - seasoning has a very tart and spicy taste.
In modern gardens, sage is grown not only for medicinal and culinary purposes. The plant bush is very decorative and, planted on the sunny side, creates a picturesque view, and in warm weather fills the garden with aroma, exuding essential oil from the surface of its leaves.