Sage, Just an Herb?

If you look back thousands of years, sage has been a main component in the closet of every herbologist. Used medicinally before it touched the grandma's Thanksgiving stuffing, sage can be used for mind, body, food, and overall health. Originally from the Mediterranean, sage spread throughout European countries, and can now be found all over the world. It's a hearty, easy to grow plant, that doesn't need much tending, but if growing isn't your thing, fresh sage can be found in your local super market produce section. Sage is strongly recommended to be not only in everyone's medicine cabinet, but spice rack as well.

Medicinal:

• Sage can reduce perspiration up to 50%, and is actually approved in Germany as a medicinal treatment for over perspiration. This opened the market for sage deodorant and anti-perspirant, which can be found at most health food stores.
• It has a strong anti-bacterial property, so it's used in some mouthwashes to kill germs and bacteria that cause gingivitis. It's also used for sore gums, canker sores, and other problems of the mouth.
• It is said to make the respiratory system stronger
• It has been shown in studies to reduce blood sugar in patients with diabetes.
• Gargle sage tea for sore throats, or drink 3 cups per day to ease digestion.
• Sage tea can help relieve headache.
• Sage oil is being studied for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti viral effects, bus should be limited by private use to aromatherapy, due to its toxicity.
• It is used by pregnant women to promote contractions-although pregnant women should not consume high concentrations of sage.
• Used as a facial steam, it is invigorating, clears sinuses, and aids breathing
• Sage can be used externally for aches and pains when made into a liniment.
• It is said that sage can rid one of worms.

Sage Tea:

2/3 oz sage

1 pint water

Steep 20 min-you can inhale the steam to strengthen respiratory weakness

Drink to ease digestion

Gargle to ease throat or mouth pain

Bottle and use as mouth wash for up to 3 weeks

Spiritual/religious:

• Native American tribes use sage for purification, religion, cleansing, and its strong healing properties.
• Many people use brooms made from sage to sweep away evil, or to keep it out by hanging it over doors.
• Native Americans burned bundles of sage(smudge stick) in a room to clear out negative energy.
• Sage smoke carries prayer to the heavens
• Sage is wrapped around objects to keep them safe from negative power

How to make a sage smudge stick:

Bundle a small amount of sage with cotton string

Hang to dry in a cool dry spot

You can dip in Tallow or Paraffin wax, or beeswax

Burn to clear out negative energy or during prayer to send your prayers to heaven

Culinary:

• Sage was used more than 2,000 years ago to preserve meat.
• It's a member of the mint family
• It's served with fatty meats due to it's ability to aid in digestion
• Sage is usewd to season bland vegetables.

Buttery Sage Pasta

6 Tbsp butter(3/4 stick)

20-30 fresh sage leaves or 1 Tbsp dried whole sage leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lbs pasta of choice

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Bring large pot of water to full boil

Melt butter in saucepan over med heat. Add sage, salt, and pepper. Cook until butter is light brown(about ten minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

Salt boiling water, and add pasta. Cook about 8 minutes.

Spoon 2-3 Tbp of pasta cooking water into warm serving bowl. Drain pasta, and toss in the serving bowl with pasta water, butter, more pepper, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Remaining cheese is to be used as a garnish.

Makes 4 servings.