Jupiter
Sage
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 14:00.Salvia officinalis
Sage is a hardy perennial of the mint family. Purplish flower spikes appear in the summer. Many species become shrubby and woody. Some are verigated. Sage has a wonderful scent.
This lovely perennial enjoys sun and well-drained soil. Keep fertilizer to a minimum. Most varieties are winter hardy. Sow seeds up to two weeks before the last danger of frost. Plants grown from cuttings do better than those grown from seed.
Prune after it flowers and then don't harvest anymore until spring so the plant has a month or two to harden off so that it can survive the frost.
Harvest lightly for the first two years to allow the plant to get established. Then large bunches can be harvested and hung to dry. The flavor is better if you freeze sage rather than dry it though.
The name Salvia derives from the Latin word Salveo, "to heal" or "to save".
It has long been used in healing. An old proverb says "why should a man die who has sage in his garden?". It was used in the Middle Ages to treat fevers, liver disease and epilepsy. In England, the tea drunk as a healthful tonic. It was also believed to strengthen the memory. An old English custom states that eating Sage every day in May will grant immortality. It was also said that a woman who ate sage cooked in wine would never be able to conceive and its fresh leaves were said to cure warts.
It is said that where sage grows well in the garden, the wife rules and that sage will flourish or not depending on the success of the business of the household.
During the Middle Ages, sage was used to mask the taste of rancid meat. Perhaps its antibacterial action also protected people from dying of rancid meat...
The Romans regarded sage quite highly and much sacrifice and ceremony was associated with its harvest. They believed it stimulated the brain and memory and used it to clean their teeth.
The Dutch in the 17th century traded Sage for Teai with the Chinese.
Sage makes a nice rinse for dark hair.
Sage's attractive leaves hold their shape and fragrance well when dried and are an attractive addition to dried arrangements and potpourri.
Store dried sage in the same place as you store your potatoesi to help them keep longer.
Sage is masculine in nature and associated the the element of air and the planet Jupiter.
Sage is sacred to the Greek Zeus and Roman Jupiter. It is also a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
White sage (Salvia apiana ) is sacred in many Shamanic and Native American belief systems and is used in smudgingi, and other, ceremonies to purify the body. This plant is difficult to grow in captivity and is largely wildcrafted which threatens native populations. Garden sage is a suitable substitute. Indeed, most Salvia species can be used for smudging.
Sage is used in magical workings for immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection and the granting of wishes.
Sage is also believed to help aleviate sorrow of the death of a loved one.
To make a wish, write your wish on a sage leaf and sleep with it under your pillow for three days and then bury it.
Add Sage to mojo bags to promote wisdom and to overcome grief.
Burn sage at funeral and remembrance ceremonies to help releive the grief of the mourners.
Sage tea has antiseptic qualities and makes a good gargle for sore throats.
Sage may boost insulin action, and therefore, a daily cup of tea may be helpful for those with diabetes. Use one or two teaspoons of dried sage leaves to one cup of boiling water.
Only Salvia officianalis is suitable for culinary use
Sage aids in the digestion of fatty foods and is therefore good for seasoning meats, especially pork. It's also famously useful for stuffing poultry. It is also awesome in various beani and pork dishes, like split pea soup and vegetarian bean dishes.
Sage blossoms are good in salads.
Pineapple sage is good in fruit drinks, salads and with ham.
Common sage blends well with the flavors of balsamic vinegar, basil, bay, black pepper, cream cheese, garlici, lavender, lemoni, mushrooms, onions, oregano, rosemary, thyme and red wine.
Most sage grows like crazy, but the most commonly used sage in spiritual practice, white sage, grows only in the American Southwest and is being over-collected in the wild. In my experience, garden sage works just as well and grows quite easily just about anywhere.
You can find more information about sage at http://www.souledout.org/healing/secretgarden/sage.html
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