Origin. Most sage varieties are native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Sage migrated to Central Europe during the Middle Ages, and it appears in an inventory of herbs grown in Charlemagne’s gardens in France around the year of 812.
Where did sage originally come from?
Sage is native to the Mediterranean region and is used fresh or dried as a flavouring in many foods, particularly in stuffings for poultry and pork and in sausages. Some varieties are also grown as ornamentals for their attractive leaves and flowers. Several other species of the genus Salvia are also known as sage.
What was sage used for in ancient times?
History. It is probable that Sage was used in ancient Egypt to treat stomach ailments, toothache and asthma. It was listed in the Ebers Papyrus (1500 BC) as a remedy for itching. Followers of Hippocrates praised its styptic and strengthening qualities as well as its beneficial effects on menstruation.
Where is sage cultivated?
The plant is cultivated and collected from the wild in Yugoslavia, Albania, Turkey, Italy, Greece, the United States, Spain, and Crete (11.1-128). The reported life zone of sage is 5 to 26 degrees centigrade with an annual precipitation of 0.3 to 2.6 meters and a soil pH of 4.2 to 8.3 (4.1-31).
What did the Romans use sage for?
Greeks and Romans believed sage symbolized domestic virtue • Sage was used to treat illnesses ranging from palsy, liver disease, epilepsy, throat inflammation and fevers in the Middle Ages. It was also considered a cure for warts, snake bites and perspiration.
Who first started using sage?
The Egyptians used sage for fertility, while in France, sage was grown prolifically and used in tea. Emperor Charlemagne had sage planted in Germany in 812 AD to use in trade and likely for medicinal purposes (Petrovska, 2012). The ancient Greeks and Romans first used sage as a meat preservative.
Who burned sage first?
It’s a calling on of the spirits of the plants being burned. White sage is native to high desserts, but is most commonly found in California and the mountainous American west. And Native Americans were the first on record for using it in a ceremonial or ritual manner.
Why did Native Americans use white sage?
White sage has been used traditionally to purify the mind, body and spirit before praying. Native Americans also used white sage in ceremonies of birth and death. Sacred objects such as pipes and eagle feathers were passed through the smoking of burning white sage in order to purify them.
Which country produces the most sage?
Turkey
Now the world’s largest producer is Turkey, with wide cultivations, followed by Albania, where wild harvest is still prevailing.
What type of sage is sacred?
But for centuries, Indigenous tribes have burned white sage in spiritual ceremonies to cleanse, purify and pray. These sacred bundles of sage, sometimes called “smudge sticks,” can be found everywhere from Urban Outfitters to indie shops, including, of course, your Instagram feed.
When did sage come to America?
History. True or common sage, Salvia officinalis, is native to the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal values (Herbst 2001). Sage has been grown in central Europe since the Middle Ages (Hamilton 2007) and is now also naturalized in North America (Longe 2005).
Are all sages edible?
Not all sage is edible. Some varieties are purely ornamental, but they tend to be wonderful for pollinator gardens. If you need to entice bees to come pollinate other plants, adding one of these inedible sages may do the trick.
What is female sage called?
The male is called sage cock , and the female sage hen . noun (Zoöl.) a species of hare ( Lepus Nuttalli syn. Lepus artemisia ) which inhabits the arid regions of Western North America and lives among sagebrush.
Is sage good for teeth?
Sage has antimicrobial effects, which can neutralize microbes that promote dental plaque. In one study, a sage-based mouthwash was shown to effectively kill the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is notorious for causing dental cavities ( 7 , 8 ).
What is sage used for traditionally?
Once gathered and dried, sage can be used for smudging in our homes, at work and in our ceremonies. Combined with prayers, smudging brings us closer to the Creator. The smoke helps purify and protect our bodies, spirits and living spaces.
What are the health benefits of sage?
Sage contains vitamins A and C, along with several other antioxidants which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer. It’s also rich in vitamin K, which aids the body in clotting blood. Since sage is usually taken in small amounts, it provides a high amount of nutrition without a lot of calories.
What’s wrong with burning sage?
Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question — long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability.
What does burning sage do to dogs?
However, if you are doing it for the scent, the smoke can rise to toxic levels. This can irritate your dog’s lungs. If he has a pre-existing respiratory illness such as bronchitis and asthma, the smoke may irritate his system. Although rare, too much smoke can also build up in a dog’s ears and lead to an infection.
Can non natives smudge?
As long as you’re respectful, we firmly believe that smudging and use of other sacred medicines is perfectly acceptable for those who do not come from Indigenous culture.
What did the Lakota Sioux smoke?
There is a variety of “traditional tobacco” that the different tribes of the Great Plains use, in this book traditional tobacco is referred to as the plants that the Lakota/Dakota use as offering, smoking during prayer and ceremony. One day while the men were out hunting buffalo, the women and children were in camp.
Is it cultural appropriation to burn sage?
If you’re not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling “how to smudge” will not make you qualified to do so. This is cultural appropriation, and it’s harmful to Native communities.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.