Sage: Savior in the garden

Salvia Officinalis (Public Domain)

Sometimes God's saving grace is literally right under our noses.  The sweet aroma of sage seems to whisper:  I'm here to help.

Wikipedia tells us that the common name "sage," as well the scientific term Salvia, comes from the Latin word salvere (which

means "to save").  Salvia officinalis (aka "garden sage" or "common sage") draws the second half of its title from the officina

("the traditional storeroom of a monastery where herbs and medicines were stored").  This plant has been used to ward off evil

since ancient times.  Old-time herbals attributed "many miraculous properties" to it. 

Although native to the Mediterranean region, sage has long grown in many other places throughout the world.  Theophrastus, Aristotle's successor at the Lyceum, wrote about two varieties of sage:  wild and cultivated.  Pliny the Elder detailed some of its medicinal uses.  During the Middle Ages, sage was a leading

component of Four Thieves Vinegar (a mixture of herbs, spices and vinegar that was said to stave off the plague).  The virtues of Salvia have also been extolled by Charlemagne, the Carolingians, and Carl Linnaeus.

In her article Sage the Savior, Susun Weed lists many of its healing properties.  These include the following:  bone-building minerals, antioxidant vitamins, antimicrobial, digestive aid, head-cold preventive, lung healer, sleep aid, perspiration reducer, and anxiety reducer.  She then reminds readers of this traditional saying:  Why die when the Savior grows in your garden?

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_officinalis

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Sage-the-Savior.htm

Copyright February 28, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved