Sage

Common Sage

This subshrub from the mint family reaches a height of 20 - 70 cm, and older plants form massive bushy clumps. The stems are woody at the base, producing erect or arching herbaceous shoots from the leaf axils with short lateral branches. The leaf color is dull green to silvery-grey. The leaves often persist through winter. The flowers are arranged in loose racemose inflorescences and have a softly hairy brownish-red calyx and blue-violet, rarely white corolla. The fruits are 4 black nutlets. The plant blooms in June and July.
Common sage originates from the eastern Mediterranean, but by the 9th century it had already been introduced to Central Europe. The herb can only be collected from cultivated plants in our region. Either just the leaves are harvested, or entire young shoots before flowering.

Propagating Sage

Common sage is propagated either from seed or vegetatively from stem cuttings, which root well even in open soil. Seeds are sown directly in place in rows half a meter apart, ideally in April, or from February to March in a cold frame where seedlings are pre-grown. It's an attractive ornamental plant, suitable for larger rock gardens.

Uses of Sage

The herb and its preparations are used internally against sweating, and externally as an astringent, for example for mouth rinsing in case of bleeding gums, which also has an anti-inflammatory effect. In folk medicine, common sage was very popular and was therefore grown in numerous country gardens. Its use is very diverse.
However, certain caution is necessary when using sage at home. Even small doses inhibit milk secretion, which may be undesirable. The essential oils contained in this plant supposedly have a stimulating effect on heart and brain function in minute doses, but a dose higher than 2 g can cause poisoning.