I think I have mentioned before that I am really interested in the healing properties of plants so today whilst I was talking to Diana about the abundance of sage growing here at Sensone, she told me to make a light batter, (flour, pinch of salt and pepper and then to add water), then take the large sage leaves, dip them in the batter and fry.
I have to say I was a little skeptical until later that evening when I tried them out on the boys and I have to say “complimenti Diana” they tasted absolutely delicious and will be something that is added to my ever growing list of culinary delights.
I then did some research on the plant itself and found out that sage throughout history has been held in high regard for both its culinary and medicinal properties and its reputation as a panacea (a cure for all) is represented in its scientific name, which comes from the Latin word salvere which means “to be saved”.
Sage contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids (including apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin), and phenolic acids. There has been lots of research data published concerning sage as an outstanding memory enhancer and Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen or Chinese sage) contains active compounds similar to those developed into modern drugs which are used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease. Not to mention that Sage has been used for over on thousand years in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease.
Throughout history sage has earnt its legendary status and has one of the longest histories of use in medicine of any other medicinal herb, and is the largest member of Lamiacea or mint family, with over 900 species throughout the world.
The Romans treated it as a sacred plant, creating a special ceremony for harvesting the plant, and together with the Greeks are said to have highly prized the many healing properties of it. Before refrigeration both civilisations used it to preserve meat and from experience they knew sage could help to reduce spoilage a fact only now being confirmed by science.
Arab physicians back in the 10th Century believed that it promoted immortality, in the 14th Century Europeans use to protect themselves against witchcraft and it has widely been used in traditional medicine for the relief of pain, stress, inflammation, bacterial and virus infection. And in addition to these relatively minor aliments it could also provide a natural treatment for the relief or cure of many life threatening diseases such as depression, dementia, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Sage tea has been used for the treatment of digestive and circulation problems, bronchitis, cough, asthma, angina, mouth and throat inflammations, excessive sweating, and skin diseases on top of those mentioned above.
Essential Sage oils have been used to treat diseases of the nervous systems, heart and blood circulation, respiratory and digestive systems, metabolic and endocrine diseases. Whilst the oil has been shown to have carminative, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and astringent properties.
So you really can see how it is considered a “Cure for All”. In 2001 The International Herb Association awarded sage the title of “Herb of the Year”. In recent years, with the increase in pharmacological knowledge about the beneficial effects of Sage (Salvia) it represents a natural, safe and effective treatment for many diseases and their symptoms.
It is also a wonderful plant for ground coverage, it’s greyish green, silvery bloom, lance-shaped leaves, the beautiful purple coloured flowers, creating a great source of food for the bees, make it a gardeners delight. Coupled with the fact that it can last throughout the year (although the leaves are better when fresh), I think this plant is also on the top of my list of must haves.
Here are just a few suggestions for using Sage.
Lightly batter for Sage Fritters
Serve hot or cold with Cannoloni beans, olive oil and a little salt and pepper
Add to soups and stews
Add to omelettes and frittatas
Make refreshing hot or cold teas
And how about bringing a little magic to your home, if you are feeling a little stale, stuck in a rut or want to clean out the old and bring in the new, you could perform a Sage Cleansing Ritual an old Shamanic Ritual.
Make a sage smudge stick with a bunch of dried sage, add a bit of dried lavender for added effect, light the stick and when it catches fire, gently blow it out and the embers should start to smoke (a bit like and incense stick).
Move from room to room, cleansing the area with the smoke and saying a little cleansing prayer. I suggest, “I call upon the cleansing and healing properties within my stick to clear this room of all negativity, all impurities and all things that do not support me and all others, for the highest good of all concerned and all that enter into this room”.
Cleanse each room in exactly the same way and when you have finished, cleanse yourself, carefully using the stick to draw the smoke around you, before it finally extinguishes itself. Take it outside and bury it in your garden so that any negativity and all impurities are buried deep below the ground.
Make this abundant plant part of your life, I am sure that it will make a welcome presence.