Sage: Salvation and the Kitchen

 

In the old days, people used sage, to treat snake bites and just about any other ailment known. Sage today, however, is more important in the kitchen, instead of a medicine pouch. Since the days of the old Roman Empire, other life-saving cures for snake venom have been discovered.

Sage for centuries was grown and respected as a potent herbal medicine. It was used as sort of a cure-all and used to treat just about anything that could ail a human body and mind. The generic name for sage, “Salvia” means health or salvation; garden sage, the herb commonly grown and used for cooking today, is Salvia officinalis, not to be confused with the hundreds of other salvia family plants.

Sage “officinalis” is frequently used as a mouth wash or gargle for sore throats and to control excessive sweating. Research indicates the herb does have some anti-bacterial properties. Like most herbs, sage can be brewed as tea, and is reputed to help coughing and nervousness.

Sage, the salvation herb, with it's silver green leaves, is an attractive addition in landscaping and in the vegetable garden. Perennial, sage is hardy and can withstand cold winter weather. The herb is not bothered by damaging insect pests, which seem to just leave it alone.

Sage is a salvation herb for our most important pollinators. Sage has purple to blue flowers which are irresistible to numerous species bees, including the important honeybee. The flowers are a source of rich pollen and nectar for the bees. In some regions, sage honey is highly regarded for taste and health.

Sage is a good herb for container gardening and snakes generally aren't found around container gardens. The plant will generally only grow about a foot or slightly larger and requires no extra particular care. It does appreciate full sun and well drained soil, as do most container herbs and plants.

It's important to make sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom. Sage does not do well when water soaked. Clay containers work well but tend to dry out quicker; a layer of mulch will help to reduce watering needs. Mulch in plastic containers is also helpful in retaining soil moisture.

Sage can be easily grown from seed either indoors or outside. Once the seeds are planted and covered slightly, keep moist and in a sunny location. Depending on weather and environmental conditions, the seeds will germinated in about a week; as with most plants, keep the seedlings well watered and provide a lot of light if growing indoors. Before placing the young “salvation” plants outdoors, harden them off for a day or two.

Sage can be purchased in a most garden centers and nurseries. Sage can also be grown from cuttings taken from a mother plant. The cuttings should be about six inches in length. Some gardeners recommend starting them initially in water. However, the stem with the lower leaves removed, can be dipped in a rooting compound and placed in pots filled with good potting soil until they root.

Sage, like most herbs enjoys a light organic fertilizer, such as compost tea, but is not particularly fussy. Sage grows well with tomatoes and cabbage in the garden and can help improve flavor and deter certain pests such as the cabbage worm. Sage and onions and cucumbers don't generally get along as well, keep them apart.

Sage, either in landscaping, in the vegetable garden soil or in containers can be harvested anytime before the plant blossoms. Pick young leaves, and use according to a recipe. For the best flavor, pick after a morning dew evaporates and before the heat of the day begins. Sage leaves can be easily dried in the shade and stored in air tight containers in a cool dark area or frozen. Every four or five years, it is best to start new salvation plants for the better culinary flavors.

There are many uses in the kitchen for sage. It can be used to flavor stuffings, used in salads, for adding gourmet flavor to any fowl or fish, pork or gravies and sauces. The herb can used dried or fresh. Just in case you get bit by a snake though, don't rush for the sage garden, seek proper medical attention. Back when it was thought the herb could be a treatment for snake bites, people also thought the world was flat.

Sage, like many plants, has medicinal properties which are beneficial and which still need to be discovered. Leave that to research and science, and enjoy this amazing plant with it's distinguished silver green and fragrant leaves with purple flowers and a history of salvation; it's “officinalis”.