Salvia officinalis - the use is not outdated even nowadays.

Salvia officinalis is a reliable and proven remedy. It has been known since ancient times. The homeland of this small (up to 70 cm) half-shrub is supposedly called the Mediterranean. At present, it has spread throughout Southern and Central Europe, cultivated in the Crimea and the Caucasus, and imported to America.

For the sake of justice, it must be said that not all kinds of sage, and they number more than 700, are used by man. The most famous sage medicinal, the use of which in medicine has more than one millennium, and sage muscat, tart flavor which has long been used in culinary arts.

Sage in medicine

Some of the first mention of sage can be found in the works of the ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder in his "Natural History". He wrote about the properties of the leaves of this plant to heal wounds. Salvia officinalis, the application of which was described by Pliny the Elder, contains in the aerial part the plant antibiotic salvin, which allowed to heal wounds at that time.

Hippocrates called it "sacred grass," and women of ancient Egypt were charged with drinking sage infusions after epidemics and bloody wars. The juice of the leaves helped with infertility and, thus, the birth rate increased.

Modern medicine confirms the medicinal properties of the plant. Salvia officinalis, the use of leaves and flowers which has been practiced since time immemorial, is in demand in our days. It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, astringent and hemostatic properties. From the fresh mashed leaves make a compress on the tumor, broth rinse the mouth with angina and stomatitis. To reduce sweating apply collection of medicinal plants, which includes sage.

In the leaves of the plant there is an essential oil (up to 3%). It is recognized as the most important healing factor of sage. In its composition - alkaloids, tannins, caffeine, cineole, ursul and other acids. Sage oil , the use of 2-3 drops of which with steam inhalation is strongly advised to add medics, used for respiratory diseases. Some modern authors recommend conducting an aromatherapy session before making important decisions. The advice is based on the fact that sage positively affects the nervous system, strengthening it. In addition, trembling of the limbs is reduced.

In folk medicine, sage medicinal use found long ago. For weaning from the breast, nursing mothers drank tea from the leaves. Decoctions and infusions were used to treat gastritis, kidney and liver diseases. Tea with infusion of sage leaves is an excellent remedy for hypertension, atherosclerosis and during menopause in women.

Doing self-treatment is dangerous. How to take sage and how much, you should appoint a doctor. It should be recalled that its drugs can not be taken with exacerbations of kidney stone disease, during pregnancy. For the preparation of a weak herbal tea for ordinary prevention, 1 st. A spoonful of fresh chopped leaves pour a glass of boiling water. Take no more than 3 cups a day.

Sage in Cooking and Horticulture

Young leaves are used to make salads. The spicy taste of sage adds a subtle flavor to fish and meat dishes. Dry powder from leaves is used to make many sorts of hard cheese. The roots and stems of the plant are used in South America for the preparation of nectars in the hot season. But the use of sage should be very carefully - the seasoning has a very tart and spicy taste.

In modern gardens, sage is grown not only for medicinal and culinary purposes. The plant bush is very decorative and planted on the sunny side, creates a picturesque view, and in warm weather fills the garden with aroma, emitting essential oil from the surface of its leaves.