An evergreen, highly aromatic, shrubby perennial, growing to 60cm (2ft) it has downy, roughly-textured, hairy, grey-green, ovate leaves to 8cm long and spikes of tubular, violet-blue flowers in early summer. A popular culinary herb. 80cm high by 1m wide. Winter hardy. Mediterranean and N. Africa. Introduced in cool temperate regions. Prune in spring or just after flowering but avoid cutting into old wood. After a few years, Salvia officinalis become straggly and need replacing.

Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

Culpeper: ‘Salvia. Sage. ... it stays abortion in those women that are subjedt to come before their times, it causeth fruitfulness, it is singular good for the brain, it strengthens the senses and memory, helps spitting and vomiting of blood.

An astringent, antiseptic and antibacterial herb. Infusions of the leaves are used as a gargle or mouthwash for sore throat, mouth ulcers, gum disease, laryngitis and tonsillitis. Infusions are taken internally as tonics, to aid digestion and for menopausal problems and applied externally as compresses to help heal wounds.

Since ancient times and the Middle Ages this herb was held in high repute. An old saying: “Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden? In France, the herb is supposed to mitigate grief, mental and bodily, and in Pepys in his Diary he says: ‘Between Gosport and Southampton we observed a little churchyard where it was customary to sow all the graves with Sage”.

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data The management of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (52). Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Salvia offi cinalis is used internally for treatment of infl uenza, bronchitis, sinusitis, meningitis and neuritis (53). The European Scientifi c Cooperative on Phytotherapy supports the use of S. offi cinalis leaves for stomatitis and gingivitis (27). The German Standard Licence for S. offi cinalis infusion also indicates its use for the supportive treatment of dyspeptic symptoms and gastrointestinal catarrh (5). Uses described in traditional medicine Traditionally S. offi cinalis has been used to treat hoarseness and coughs (54, 55). It is also used as a sedative, tonic, and stimulant (56). Salvia offi - cinalis has a long history of use as a restorative of lost or declining cognitive functions in Western European systems of traditional medicine (57). Salvia offi cinalis leaves are also used for treatment of haemorrhages, hyperhydrosis, galactorrhoea and dysentery (58–60). In traditional Italian medicine, they are used to treat rheumatism (61, 62). The use of S. offi cinalis for the treatment of menstrual disorders has been reported (63, 64). It is also used to treat acne, hair loss and dandruff, as a vulnerary and an antiseptic (65, 66). Contraindications In view of the toxicity of the plant due to the thujone and camphor content, extracts should be used with caution and not ingested in large amounts (95). Because of the known toxic properties of thujone, the described abortifacient properties (96), and lack of safety data concerning administration of Folium Salviae and its preparations in children as well as during pregnancy and lactation, it is contraindicated in these patient groups (38, 97).

Sal’via- The Latin name presumably derived from "salvus"- safe, well, sound, from the supposed medicinal values of the plants.

officinalis- sold in shops, applied to plants with real or supposed medicinal properties.

Notes: Used as a gargle to relieve toothache in herbal medicine. Widely used as a flavouring in cooking e.g. sage and onion stuffing used for poultry dishes.

The name Salvia meaning 'healthy'. Elizabeth Blackwell (1737) wrote that it had '... all the noble Properties of the other hot Plants; more especially for the Head, Memory, Eyes, and all Paralytical Affections. In short, 'tis a Plant endu'd with so many and wonderful Properties, as that the assiduous use of it is said to render Men Immortal" with which Hans Sloane agreed. Its health giving properties were recorded in the aphorisms of the School of Salerno (fl 9-13th century) - quoted in the Decameron [ c.1350, translated: Why should man die when Salvia grows in the Garden']. Some salvias, such as Salvia divinorum, contain hallucinogenic compounds.

Indication: relief of excessive sweating associated with menopausal hot flushes/night sweats From Patient information leaflet for preparations licensed as Traditional Herbal remedies in the UK

But who can write thy worth (O soveraigne Sage) Some aske how man can die, where thou dost grow Oh that were a medicine curing age Death comes at last, thoughdeath comes ne're so slow: Sage strengths the sinewes, fevers heat doth swage, The Palsy helpes , and rids of mickle woe. In Latin (Salvia) takes the name of safety In English (Sage) is rather wise than crafty Sith then the name betokens wise and saving, We count it natures friend and worth having.

Side effects/precautions: do not use with hypersensitivity, rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency, with medicines acting via GABA receptor, pregnancy/breast feeding From Patient information leaflet for preparations licensed as Traditional Herbal remedies in the UK