Sage Salvia officinalis - Garden Sage Salvia officinalis purpurea - Red Sage Salvia sclanea - Clary Sage or Clear Eye The botanical generic name for all the sage family is derived from the Latin salvere, to save, cure or thrive, a lasting testament to its ancient reputation as a medical cure-all. So strong was the faith in sage that, by around the 10th century AD, it had acquired the reputation of being able to confer immortality. Folk magic and Culpeper assigned the planet Jupiter as the ruling astrological object for garden sage, and it was used in country magic to generate money, protection, longevity, wisdom and used in the granting of wishes. It was said that you should carry sage if you wish to be wise and that you should eat a little every day - especially during May - for a long life; one old proverb asks, “how can a man die, who has sage in his garden?” It was thought by some to reflect the business fortunes of the man of the house, flourishing or withering with the state of his finances. Confusingly, another belief also held that garden sage only grows well when a woman rules the roost, as it reacts well to the imposition of ‘gentler values’. Sage was the herb originally used in Europe for making tea long before the introduction of Indian tea and the Chinese traded their own green tea with the Dutch in return for supplies of the herb. The Chinese healers considered it to be strengthening to the digestive system and calming to the nerves. Garden sage has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and an infusion has traditionally been used as a mouthwash to cure mouth ulcers and gum infections and as a gargle for sore throats. Herbalists also claim that sage can aid digestion of heavy, rich foods and can help to combat a tendency to sweating. This cooling property also makes it an ideal remedy for fevers and flushes, especially those experienced during the menopause. Even just the leaves, rubbed gently across the teeth, will freshen the mouth and strengthen the gums. However, it is advised not to use too much during pregnancy and in not too large an amount on a regular basis for all. Sage has had its cosmetic uses too; the ancient Romans used a strong infusion of the herb to darken their hair. Sage is also very attractive to bees and the honey is highly regarded by aficionados, but even so, it was only relatively recently - the 16th century - that sage has been given kitchen space. Gaining favour as a flavouring for pork and poultry, especially in farcies, or stuffings, it may have initially been used in this way for its reputation as a digestive and an aid to absorbing heavier meats and any toxicity which may be present. It is an essential ingredient in the Italian dish, Saltimbocca, (‘jump in the mouth), veal layered with ham and sage and the Italians use it rather effectively with calves liver and eels. Other favourite culinary sages are: Greek Sage, Salvia fructiosa, a lighter, more subtle variety; Pineapple sage, Salvia rutilans, with a scent reminiscent of the fruit; American Blue sage, Salvia clevelandii and the variety which has a slightly lavender scented aroma, Salvia lavandulifolia. Red sage has, as can be gathered by its name, dark purple-red foliage, but its seeds will revert to the green variety. It is thought to be more effective in countering sore throats than ordinary garden sage and, like its sibling, is also used for bleeding gums and mouth sores and ulcers. In the kitchen, it can be used in exactly the same way as garden sage, adding a little more colour. Clary sage is the largest member of this little group, growing larger and with large leaves and its common and specific name is derived from the Latin clarus, clear as in its folk name, clear eye. This is due to the fact that traditionally the seeds are soaked in water to produce a mucilaginous liquid which was then used to clear the eyes of grit and foreign bodies. The leaves, together with elderflowers, were also used to flavour some German wines, especially more potent Muscatels, hence the common German name for the herb is muskatellersalbei or simply, muskateller. The plant is also used in perfumery and aromatherapists use it for its warming, uplifting and soothing properties to relieve tension, stress, muscular aches and period pains. Interestingly enough, in old folk medicine, strongly mixed with the lore of country magic, the ruling body for the clary sage is the moon, linked to its cycles and, for that reason, used to aid and regulate the menstrual cycle.