Sage
by AmethystSAGE - Salvia Officinalis
Venus, Jupiter
Leo
Herbe of Immortality; Herbe of Purification
Religious Herbe; Herbe of Protection
Herbe of Wisdom
Invocatory: Cadmus, Consus, Jupiter, Zeus
Part used: Leaf
Also known as Common sage, Garden sage, Kitchen sage, Culinary sage, Dalmatian sage, Purple sage, Broadleaf sage, Red sage. The Greeks used sage to heal ulcers and snakebites. The Romans considered it a sacred herb and gathered it with much ceremony. The Chinese, Native Americans, ancient Egyptians, Latin Americans and Europeans have all used sage for medicinal purposes.
LORE
It should be pointed out that the sage growing wild in North America is not the Salvia of the western herbal pharmacopoeia, but when used for spiritual purposes the two (Salvia & Artemisias) are treated by most people as relatively interchangeable. Salvia is used by many peoples to fumigate or cense a sacred space, bringing purification and cleansing.
The Roman god Consus was a harvest deity whose realm included sowing and reaping. At a later time Consus was invoked at councils, his presence believed essential when important decisions were being made. Sage is an appropriate herbe for bringing the energy of wisdom and sagacity into a meeting.
According to Mrs. Grieve in A Modern Herbal, there is an old tradition which recommends planting rue among the sage to protect its health. This belief may be derived from the ancient Arabian belief that sage was an Herbe of Immortality. It was believed that the health of your sage plants reflected the health of your business affairs. Another folk belief was that sage grew best when the woman was the person in charge of the gardens and the household.
USAGE
From The Master Book of Herbalism we learn that sage offers the herbal virtues of strength, mental health and wisdom, and it banishes all evil. There are many beliefs regarding sage's ability to keep one's mind strong and clear. Years ago Paul Beyerl found a verse, whose origins he forgot to note, that when you have a cup of sage tea to rid your mind of negative thought patterns you continue chanting, "Sage make green the winter rain. Charm the demon from my brain."
As a healing tonic, sage is more than remedial for it can be used to promote health throughout one's physical, spiritual, emotional and mental being. Sage maybe used to purify one's self, removing negative energy and providing a healthy attitude toward life. It helps one deal with grieving and loss, both through healing and by helping one see beyond the immediate loss. Old folklore recommends eating fresh sage leaves nine mornings in a row, timed with either a new or full moon.
Some legends maintain that sage's healing powers were first discovered by Cadmus, brother of Europa, whose mythological life was filled with adventure. Sage is also considered sacred to Zeus and to Jupiter. It is an excellent herbe to use when consecrating a thurible and is associated with the Temperance card. In some traditions sage is the herbe for the Autumn Equinox and/or for Hallow's Eve. Paul Beyerl has also read of those who like to work with sage at Yule, to help them and their kindred remain bright when the days are at their shortest.
Albertus Magnus in his Book of Secrets relates a very odd belief: a magickal formula including sage and a cremated snake will allow one to conjure up thunderstorms and rainbows.
The belief cited by Mrs. Grieve leads us to recommend the use of sage by women who desire to hold their own in the world of business or who are working to manage a household. It would also seem to be an herbe most useful for single mothers.
Sage absorbs negativity and misfortune. It drives away disturbances and tensions, and lifts the spirits above the mundane cares of life. Burn to consecrate a ritual space. Carry it as an herbe of protection (usually in a small horn). Use it in ritual bath and chalice.
Tradition holds that those who eat sage become immortal both in wisdom and in years. Sage is used in wish manifestation, by writing the wish on the leaf and hide it under your pillow for three nights, if you dream of your wish it will come to pass, if not then bury the leaf; and to attract money. Smoulder to promote healing and spirituality. Carry to promote wisdom. This herbe can help one deal with grieving or loss, both through healing and helping one see beyond the immediate loss.
He who live for aye
Must eat sage in May.
Diviner's - (S. divinorum) One of the most unusual and rare sages. This sage is used by Latin American Shamen to put their patients into a "trance," whereby the Shamen "divines" what is ailing the patient through their ramblings. Used for healing the mind, body and soul.
Judean/Candlestick - (S. judaica) This is one of the rarest, and most significant sages in the world. Judean sage, as documented in Moldenke's Plants of the Bible, is the sage after which the traditional Jewish symbol of the menorah was patterned. The plant's inflorescence when pressed flat, has almost the exact shape and form of the seven branched candlestick of the Temple.
White - (S. apiana) This is the sage used by western Native Americans for spiritual purification of dwellings and sweathouses by smudging with smoke produced from burning the dried leaves.
References:
http://www.sticksstonesnbeyond.com/wittanherbs.htm
http://www.janih.com/lady/herbs/magick/S.html#sage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sage
a compendium of HERBAL MAGICK by Paul Beyerl, 1998
SAGE RECIPES
CULINARY RECIPES
Sage and Onion stuffing for ducks, geese and pork enables the stomach to digest the rich food.
From Warner's Ancient Cookery, 1791, for 'Sawgeat,' Sawge. Sawgeat
"Take Pork and seeth (boil) it wel and grinde it smale and medle (mingle) it with ayren (eggs) and ygrated (grated) brede (bread). Do thereto salt sprinkled and saffron. Take a close litull ball of it in foiles (leaves) of Sawge. Wet it with a bator (batter) of ayren, fry and serve forth."
From The Cook's Oracle, 1821:
Sage and Onion Sauce
"Chop very fine an ounce of onion and 1/2 OZ. of green Sage leaves, put them in a stamper with 4 spoonsful of water, simmer gently for 10 minutes, then put in a teaspoonful of pepper and salt and 1 OZ. of fine breadcrumbs. Mix well together, then pour to it 1/4 pint of Broth, Gravy or Melted Butter, stir well together and simmer a few minutes longer. This is a relishing sauce for Roast Pork, Geese or Duck, or with Green Peas on Maigre Days."
The same book gives:
'A Relish for Roast Pork. or Goose'
"2 OZ. of leaves of Green Sage, an ounce of fresh lemon peel, pared thin, same of salt, minced shallot and 1/2 drachm of Cayenne pepper, ditto of citric acid, steeped for a fortnight in a pint of claret. Shake it well every day; let it stand a day to settle and decant the clear liquid. Bottle it and cork it close. Use a tablespoonful or more in 1/4 pint of gravy or melted butter."
Another modern Sage Sauce, excellent with Roast Pork is:
Sagina Sauce
"Take 6 large Sage leaves, 2 onions, 1 teaspoonful of flour, 1 teaspoonful of vinegar, butter the size of a walnut, salt, pepper, and 1/2 pint of good, brown gravy. Scald the Sage leaves and chop them with the onions to a mincemeat. Put them in a stewpan with the butter, sprinkle in the flour, cover close and steam 10 minutes. Then add the vinegar, gravy and seasoning and simmer half an hour."
From Walsh's Manual of Domestic Economy, 1857:
Sage Cheese
"Bruise the tops of young red Sage in a mortar with some leaves of spinach and squeeze the juice; mix it with the rennet in the milk, more or less, according to the preferred colour and taste. When the curd is come, break it gently and put it in with the skimmer till it is pressed two inches above the vat. Press it 8 or 10 hours. Salt it and turn every day."
MEDICINAL RECIPES
A Gargle for a Sore Throat
A small glass of port wine, a tablespoonful of Chile vinegar, 6 Sage leaves, and a dessertspoonful of honey; simmer together on the fire for 5 minutes.
A Cure for Sprains
Bruise a handful of Sage leaves and boil them in a gill of vinegar for 5 minutes; apply this in a folded napkin as hot as it can be borne to the part affected.
Basic Sage Tea Recipe
Pour 1 cup of boiled water over 2 teaspoons of fresh or 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep for about 10 minutes and strain. Make sure that the water is not boiling when you pour it over the leaves, otherwise, the potent essential oils contained in the sage will vaporize. Drink 1-2 cups of the tea daily, or use the warm infusion as a gargle. Sweeten the tea to taste with maple syrup or honey.
Sage Tea Recipe Relieves Excessive Sweating
1 1/4 ounce sage leaves
2/3 ounce horsetail
1/3 ounce valerian root
Pour 1 cup of hot water over 1 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture and steep covered for about 15 minutes. This tea will reduce nervous perspiration and prevent excessive night sweats when taken at bedtime.
Sage Tea & Gargle Recipe Relieves Cold, Sore Throats, and Cold Sores
1 ounce sage leaves
3/4 ounce fennel seeds
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture and steep. Use as a gargle for flu and inflamed throat. Drink as a tea for any infections of the mouth and throat. The fennel gives the tea a sweet, mile, liquorice-like flavour.
Appetite-stimulating Medicinal Tea
1 ounce sage leaves
1 ounce peppermint leaves
1 ounce lemon balm leaves
1 ounce bitter-orange peel
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 1/2 teaspoon of this herb mixture and steep. This tea stimulates the appetite and acts as a general strengthener. It is tasty even if you don't sweeten it.
Caution never give herbal tea with peppermint to children, the menthol may have an adverse reaction!
References:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html#comreconi
http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/sage-tea.html
The following article appeared in the March 2009 edition of Axis Mundi...
Herbs ~ Sage (Salvia officinalis)
by Amethyst
A few interesting gardening tips about sage are:
It is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden, have someone else do it for you.
Always plant some other plant in with the sage. A full bed of sage without something else growing in with it will also bring bad luck.
Sage draws toads to the garden.
Close your eyes and imagine Christmas (well, you know what I mean) turkey stuffing. Smell that warm, rich aroma? Chances are, it comes from sage.
Thousands of years before we started stuffing our turkeys, people from all over were celebrating the healing powers of this aromatic herbe. The genus name Salvia comes from the Latin word meaning "to heal".
Like a number of our common cooking herbes, sage originates from the Mediterranean, although the plant will withstand a few degrees of frost in colder climates once established. It has a strong taste and is generally used to flavour the richer meats such as pork, duck and goose. It aids in the digestion of fats. There are several varieties of sage, all which share the same medicinal properties.
For centuries, sage has been highly regarded as a medicine, as shown by the traditional saying, "Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?" It is a general tonic, useful for weak and exhausted states and particularly good for the tiredness that typically follows a viral infection. It tones the central system and lifts the spirits. Sage tea with honey is ideal for that end-of-the-day, worn-down-by-life feeling. It also helps concentration and is therefore a good tea for students.
Fresh sage leaves, eaten in sandwiches for breakfast, are an English country cure for low-grade fevers and flu symptoms. Sage tea, taken cold, is the best treatment for excessive sweating. Two or three cups a day, taken for 3 weeks, will usually do the trick.
Sage has a high resin content, which makes it antiseptic and slightly sticky, an ideal combination for treating sore throats and mouth and gum infections. It is the herbalist's favourite for gargles, mouthwashes and tooth powders. Strong sage tea is a simple and effective wash for infected and inflamed cuts. It is also a useful hair treatment: a cup or two of two of sage tea, added to the final rinsing water, will gradually darken the hair and keep the scalp healthy.
Sage is a very helpful herb for women. Taken internally and used as a compress, it soothes painful, lumpy breasts. It helps to regulate periods, can bring on delayed periods and dries up breast milk. Sage is especially useful at the change of life, helping to diminish hot flushes and lift depression.
Sage and Vinegar Poultice:
Vinegar brings bruises to the surface, cooling and reducing swelling. Sage and Vinegar are both traditional ingredients in compresses. Used together they are unsurpassed for easing sprains.
Bruise whole, fresh sage leaves by flattening them with a rolling pin. Try not to break or tear them.
Put the Sage leaves in a pan of water and just cover with vinegar. Simmer gently for 5 minutes over a very low heat. The vinegar should not boil but it should steam so that the sage leaves soften and blanch.
After 5 minutes, take out the leaves and lay them on a cloth. Work quickly and carefully, as the leaves are very hot. Fold the cloth into a package which will just cover the affected area.
Apply as hot as can be borne and cover with towels to retain the heat. Leave on for an hour or until the swelling has subsided.
