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 ETYMOLOGY
The name “Salvia” is believed to come from the Latin for “store,” alluding to the therapeutic properties attributed to the plant since ancient times.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Lamiacea
Description: It is a bushy evergreen shrub with a strong lignified root system; may reach a height up to a meter, lignified at the bottom and herbaceous at the top, has a square stem characteristic of the Lamiacea family, and appears to have white ash-surface because of extensive tomentose. The leaves grow opposite to each other, with their stalks getting shorter towards the top of the plant.The leaf itself presents as a lengthened oval or lanceolate in shape, with its surface coated in the aforementioned white tormentose. The flowering head consists of 3-5 verticillate, pink-purple flowers. Sage is an annual or perennial plant with creeping stems that arise from a single tuber.
Habitat: Appears wild in all of southern Europe. Found in Italy in stony soil, from the sea to the alpine region (Piedmont, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania).
Method of Harvest: The leaves are harvested when well developed, usually in the time between April- July, the top blooms in May-August, when stems should be cut 10-20 cm below the flowers.
Parts Utilized:
Leaves and flowering top.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Rosemarinic acid and essential oils.
MODE OF ACTION
Actions: astringent, combats hyperhidrosis, soothes the stomach, is an antiseptic and antioxidant.
Precautions: Allergic reactions have been observed; for this reason it is best to avoid preparations high in the essential oil Thujone.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb: In addition to its use for hyperhidrosis, can be used as adjuvant treat in infection and inflammation of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis). Is commonly used as a digestive and nerve tonic, and in certain types of irregular menstrual cycle.
PREPARATION AND USE
Internal Use: The average suggested daily dose is 1-1.5 g of the bulk herb or equivalent concentration in other preparations.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Among the ancient Romans it was generally believed that sage had the power to maintain the health of the human body: for this reason, its given name in Latin means "healthy" or "saved". Collectively, sage was held dear and sacred to the gods, and therefore was collected as a special rite. The ceremony took place as a prescribed ritual: the chosen "officiators" would dress in white tunics, pray before the people, and one would wash his right hand repeatedly (which was considered unclean because it was used for other humble tasks) and finally, with respect and solemnity, would then grasp the plant so sacred to the gods and essential to human health. The sacredness of sage was obscured by the sensual and luxurious Cleopatra, which, according to legend, would have use a mixture of sage and rue, considered to be aphrodisiac, to win over men.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Reference
“Salviae folium (Sage leaf). Monographs on the Medicinal Use of Plant Drugs.” ESCOP 1996. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 1997.
“Treatment of neurovegetative menopausal symptoms with a phytotherapeutic agent” Minerva Ginecol. 1998 May;50(5):207-11.
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