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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Common sage
| image = Salvia officinalis0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = flowers
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Salvia]]''
| species = '''''S. officinalis'''''
| binomial = ''Salvia officinalis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
[[Image:Salvia officinalis p1150380.jpg||thumb|Sage leaves - first variety]]
[[Image:Salvia officinalis2.JPG||thumb|Sage leaves - second variety]]
'''Common sage''' (''Salvia officinalis'') is a small [[evergreen]] [[subshrub]], with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers native to southern [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean]] region.
It is much cultivated as a [[kitchen]] and medicinal [[herb]], and is also called Garden sage, Kitchen sage, and Dalmatian sage. In southern Europe related species are sometimes cultivated for the same purpose, and may be confused with the common sage. Although this plant was the one originally called by this name ''sage'', a number of related species are now also called by it, and are described in more detail in the article on [[sage]].
The uses and benefits ascribed to it are many and varied, and are often shared with related species. Uses of common sage include:
* infusions, which are considered to have a calming effect, to soothe a [[sore throat]] and as a digestive agent{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* preservative flavourings, for instance of [[cheese]]
* as a cooking flavouring, such as in sage and onion stuffing
* as a deodorizer preparation used from the extracts of the herb
Common sage is also grown in parts of [[Europe]], especially the [[Balkans]] for distillation of the [[essential oil]], though other species, such as ''[[Salvia triloba]]'' may also be harvested and distilled with it.
A number of [[cultivar]]s of the plant exist. The majority of these are cultivated more often for ornament than for their herbal properties. All these are valuable as small ornamental flowering shrubs, and for low [[ground cover]], especially in sunny dry situations. They are easily raised from summer [[cuttings]]. Named cultivars include
* "Purpurascens", a purple-leafed cultivar, considered by some to be strongest of the garden sages,
* "Tricolor", a cultivar with white, yellow and green variegated leaves,
* "Berggarten", a cultivar with huge leaves,
* "Icterina", a cultivar with yellow-green variegated leaves,
* "Alba", a white-flowered cultivar,
* "Lavandulaefolia", a small leaved cultivar.
{{cquote|''Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?''|20px|20px|attributed to [[Martin Luther]]}}
{{cquote|''Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden, if not because nothing can stand against death?|20px|20px|attributed to [[Hildegard of Bingen]]}}
{{cquote|''Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage.''|20px|20px|[[Henry David Thoreau]] in the conclusion to [[Walden]]}}
== Culinary uses ==
[[Image:Koeh-126.jpg|thumb|Painting from Koehler's Medicinal Plants (1887)]]
As a [[herb]], sage is considered to have a slight peppery flavour. In Western cooking, it is used for flavouring fatty meats (especially as a [[marinade]]), [[cheese]]s [[Sage Derby cheese| (Sage Derby)]], and some drinks. In [[British cuisine|Britain]] and [[Belgian cuisine|Flanders]], sage is used with [[onion]] for poultry or pork stuffing and also in sauces. In [[French cuisine]], sage is used for cooking [[white meat]] and in vegetable [[soup]]s. [[German cuisine|Germans]] often use it in [[sausage]] dishes, and sage forms the dominant flavouring in the [[English cuisine|English]] [[Lincolnshire sausage]]. Sage is also common in [[Cuisine of Italy|Italian cooking]]. Sage is sauteed in olive oil and butter until crisp, then plain or stuffed pasta is added (burro e salvia). In the [[Balkans]] and the [[Middle East]], it is used when roasting [[Lamb (food)|mutton]].
== Medicinal use ==
'''Actions'''
The Latin name for sage: salvia, means “to heal”. Although the effectiveness of ''Common Sage'' is often open to debate, it has been recommended at one time or another for virtually every ailment. Modern evidence supports its effects as an [[antihydrotic]], [[antibiotic]], [[antifungal]], [[astringent]], [[antispasmodic]], [[estrogenic]], [[hypoglycemic]], and [[tonic]].[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php]. In a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, sage was found to be effective in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. |title=Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial |journal=J Clin Pharm Ther |year=2003 |issue=1 |volume=28 |pages=53-9 |pmid =12605619 }}</ref>
'''Active Constituents'''
The strongest active constituents of Sage are within its [[essential oil]], which contains [[cineole]], [[borneol]], and [[thujone]]. Sage leaf contains [[tannic acid]], [[oleic acid]], [[ursonic acid]], [[ursolic acid]], [[cornsole]], [[cornsolic acid]], [[fumaric acid]], [[chlorogenic acid]], [[caffeic acid]], [[niacin]], [[nicotinamide]], [[flavones]], [[flavone glycosides]], and [[estrogenic]] substances.[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php]
'''Uses'''
Internally for [[indigestion]], [[gas]], [[liver]] complaints, excessive [[lactation]], excessive [[perspiration]], excessive [[salivation]], [[anxiety]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]], female [[sterility]], [[menopausal]] problems.
Externally for [[insect bites]], throat, mouth, gum, skin [[infections]], [[vaginal discharge]].
Source: The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)
'''Health Precautions'''
Toxic in excess or over long periods. [[Contraindicated]] during pregnancy and for epilepsy.
Drug Interactions: [http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php from appliedhealth.com]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
* ''The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses'',Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)
== External links ==
Medicinal use
*[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php Medicinal use: from appliedhealth.com]
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html#com Medicinal use, modern and historical: from botanical.com]
== See also ==
* [[Thujone]]
* [[Essential oil]]
* [[Aroma compound]]
* [[Salvia]]
{{commons|Salvia officinalis}}
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Common sage
| image = Salvia officinalis0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = flowers
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Salvia]]''
| species = '''''S. officinalis'''''
| binomial = ''Salvia officinalis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
[[Image:Salvia officinalis p1150380.jpg||thumb|Sage leaves - first variety]]
[[Image:Salvia officinalis2.JPG||thumb|Sage leaves - second variety]]
'''Common sage''' (''Salvia officinalis'') is a small [[evergreen]] [[subshrub]], with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers native to southern [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean]] region.
It is much cultivated as a [[kitchen]] and medicinal [[herb]], and is also called Garden sage, Kitchen sage, and Dalmatian sage. In southern Europe related species are sometimes cultivated for the same purpose, and may be confused with the common sage. Although this plant was the one originally called by this name ''sage'', a number of related species are now also called by it, and are described in more detail in the article on [[sage]].
The uses and benefits ascribed to it are many and varied, and are often shared with related species. Uses of common sage include:
* infusions, which are considered to have a calming effect, to soothe a [[sore throat]] and as a digestive agent{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* preservative flavourings, for instance of [[cheese]]
* as a cooking flavouring, such as in sage and onion stuffing
* as a deodorizer preparation used from the extracts of the herb
Common sage is also grown in parts of [[Europe]], especially the [[Balkans]] for distillation of the [[essential oil]], though other species, such as ''[[Salvia triloba]]'' may also be harvested and distilled with it.
A number of [[cultivar]]s of the plant exist. The majority of these are cultivated more often for ornament than for their herbal properties. All these are valuable as small ornamental flowering shrubs, and for low [[ground cover]], especially in sunny dry situations. They are easily raised from summer [[cuttings]]. Named cultivars include
* "Purpurascens", a purple-leafed cultivar, considered by some to be strongest of the garden sages,
* "Tricolor", a cultivar with white, yellow and green variegated leaves,
* "Berggarten", a cultivar with huge leaves,
* "Icterina", a cultivar with yellow-green variegated leaves,
* "Alba", a white-flowered cultivar,
* "Lavandulaefolia", a small leaved cultivar.
{{cquote|''Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?''|20px|20px|attributed to [[Martin Luther]]}}
{{cquote|''Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden, if not because nothing can stand against death?|20px|20px|attributed to [[Hildegard of Bingen]]}}
{{cquote|''Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage.''|20px|20px|[[Henry David Thoreau]] in the conclusion to [[Walden]]}}
== Culinary uses ==
[[Image:Koeh-126.jpg|thumb|Painting from Koehler's Medicinal Plants (1887)]]
As a [[herb]], sage is considered to have a slight peppery flavour. In Western cooking, it is used for flavouring fatty meats (especially as a [[marinade]]), [[cheese]]s [[Sage Derby cheese| (Sage Derby)]], and some drinks. In [[British cuisine|Britain]] and [[Belgian cuisine|Flanders]], sage is used with [[onion]] for poultry or pork stuffing and also in sauces. In [[French cuisine]], sage is used for cooking [[white meat]] and in vegetable [[soup]]s. [[German cuisine|Germans]] often use it in [[sausage]] dishes, and sage forms the dominant flavouring in the [[English cuisine|English]] [[Lincolnshire sausage]]. Sage is also common in [[Cuisine of Italy|Italian cooking]]. Sage is sauteed in olive oil and butter until crisp, then plain or stuffed pasta is added (burro e salvia). In the [[Balkans]] and the [[Middle East]], it is used when roasting [[Lamb (food)|mutton]].
== Medicinal use ==
'''Actions'''
The Latin name for sage: salvia, means “to heal”. Although the effectiveness of ''Common Sage'' is often open to debate, it has been recommended at one time or another for virtually every ailment. Modern evidence supports its effects as an [[antihydrotic]], [[antibiotic]], [[antifungal]], [[astringent]], [[antispasmodic]], [[estrogenic]], [[hypoglycemic]], and [[tonic]].[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php]. In a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, sage was found to be effective in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. |title=Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial |journal=J Clin Pharm Ther |year=2003 |issue=1 |volume=28 |pages=53-9 |pmid =12605619 }}</ref>
'''Active Constituents'''
The strongest active constituents of Sage are within its [[essential oil]], which contains [[cineole]], [[borneol]], and [[thujone]]. Sage leaf contains [[tannic acid]], [[oleic acid]], [[ursonic acid]], [[ursolic acid]], [[cornsole]], [[cornsolic acid]], [[fumaric acid]], [[chlorogenic acid]], [[caffeic acid]], [[niacin]], [[nicotinamide]], [[flavones]], [[flavone glycosides]], and [[estrogenic]] substances.[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php]
'''Uses'''
Internally for [[indigestion]], [[gas]], [[liver]] complaints, excessive [[lactation]], excessive [[perspiration]], excessive [[salivation]], [[anxiety]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]], female [[sterility]], [[menopausal]] problems.
Externally for [[insect bites]], throat, mouth, gum, skin [[infections]], [[vaginal discharge]].
Source: The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)
'''Health Precautions'''
Toxic in excess or over long periods. [[Contraindicated]] during pregnancy and for epilepsy.
Drug Interactions: [http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php from appliedhealth.com]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
* ''The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses'',Deni Bown (New York: DK, 2001)
== External links ==
Medicinal use
*[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8453.php Medicinal use: from appliedhealth.com]
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html#com Medicinal use, modern and historical: from botanical.com]
== See also ==
* [[Thujone]]
* [[Essential oil]]
* [[Aroma compound]]
* [[Salvia]]
{{commons|Salvia officinalis}}
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]