~ Sacred Sage ~

Sage🌿 ~ Salvia ~ Derived from the Latin ~ salvere ~ meaning to feel well and healthy.
     Sage is one of the largest genus of plant types in the Lamiaceae Family. Sage is commonly used in a variety of different ways from cooking to ceremony depending on the type. Common Sage is most often grown for cooking and is high in vitamins C, A, K, E,... LOL these are great antioxidants! Make sure you get your C,A,K,E daily!! It is also rich in folic acid, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, potassium, and magnesium.

Dried White Sage

How to Grow ~
     Sage can be grown from seeds🌱 or cuttings from another Sage plant. Plant seeds in about 1/4" of soil about 12" apart. Cuttings should be given the same amount of spacing.
Sage doesn't mind a little shade but needs plenty of sun. Cut back flower stems as the appear to promote growth of your plant. It can be grown in pots, garden beds...just about anywhere. No matter where you choose to plant make sure you have well draining soil for your sage plants. Allow soil to dry between watering's ~ make sure you don't over water💦

Sage grows well with Rosemary, Marjoram and Tomatoes!

Types of Sage ~ there are over 900 accepted species of Sage! 

Here are just a few to start with,

Common sage ~  used widely in cooking and in herbal medicine.

White sage ~  sacred to a number of  peoples, and used by some Native American tribes in their ceremonies

Blue sage ~ also known as prairie sage and azure sage grows very tall with narrow leaves and blue flowers

Pineapple sage ~  widely grown as an ornamental shrub with pineapple scented leaves

Greek sage ~ commonly grown and harvested as an alternative to common sage

Cardinal sage ~ or Mexican scarlet sage is a small evergreen shrub with red flowers

Hummingbird sage ~ an anise-scented sage with tall perennial deep blue flowers

Harvesting ~ 🌿
     As with most herbs the best time to harvest is in the early morning after the dew, and before the leaves are warmed by the sun, this is when the essential oils in the leaf are at the highest. You can pick leaves as you require them and/or harvest larger cuttings to be stored. Always clip just above a set of leaves. When clipping for larger harvest Never harvest more than 1/3 off the top of your sage plant, this will cause it to stop producing!

Tip ~ Always water 💦your plant the night before harvesting.

Parts Used ~🍃 Most commonly the Leaves are used fresh or dry.
     Dry in well ventilated area in the sunlight and store in well sealed jars.
Essential oil can also be used.

Metaphysical uses ~ 🔮

     White Sage is used for protection, healing, cleansing energies, blessings.
     Sage is rolled into bundles called smudge sticks. Smudge Sticks are burned like an incense stick allowing the smoke to fill the desired area cleansing and balancing the energies of a space bringing blessings and protection.
     Sage can be used fresh, dry, or as an anointing oil. To transform a dish or the energies of a room. Bless a person, an object or altar space. Sage has been considered a sacred herb since ancient times and is sure to bring blessings to your life, And don't forget CAKE!! 😋

~Shine Boldly~

Mary🦋

⚝ Other members of the Flowering Aromatic Lamiaceae family are basil, mint, rosemary, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, and lavender.