Sage is native to Mediterranean and Asian areas in the world, but can be grown in certain parts of other countries such as America and Europe. A member of the mint family, it is a fragrant, rich, green herb with long oblong-shaped leaves, and usually a off-white-colored fur on the face of the leaves. Sage flowers are small and range in color from white to purple. This garden herb has many culinary uses, but can also be used for medicinal purposes.
Sage is used to treat a wide range of internal problems on the human body. It is has been promoted as a way to prevent memory loss, and its antispasmodic properties make it ideal for alleviating menstrual cramps and muscle tension. It has been used as an anti-hydrotic to treat night sweats and excessive perspiration. According to many modern studies, sage leaf can also be used as an antibiotic, astringent, antifungal, antispasmodic, estrogenic and hypoglycemic. It may be found helpful in soothing indigestion and stomach pains, anxiety, depression, and menopausal problems.
Sage also helps on external parts of the body, and in a spiritual sense as well. It is believed to have the ability to cleanse a house, evil spirits or negative energy. It is common in Native American religion to burn sage for new beginnings. On external parts of the body, sage can be used as a tea for mouthwash to treat ulcers and halitosis, and dried sage can be rubbed on bug bites, cuts, scrapes or rashes to relieve itching, swelling and infection. Since sage possesses antiseptic properties, some find that it can soothe irritation on the body on contact.
A perennial, sage is a commonly grown as an herb in kitchen gardens. Sage is most notably used in cooking to add flavor to dishes. It is most often paired in stuffing, sausages, breads, chicken, turkey and other fowl. Fresh sage can handle a lot of heat when used in sauces or meats. Sage can be paired with many other herbs, like rosemary, thyme, mint--and it won't have overwhelming flavor. When using fresh sage, rub the leaves between your fingers before using to release the pungent oil aroma and flavor.