Sage

Includes:

Folk Names:
Scientific Names:

Conservation Status:

Native Regions:
Naturalized Regions:
Invasive Regions:

Physical Description:

Scent Description:

Oil Product Description:
Scent Synergies: Citrus

Wildlife and Livestock Uses:

Gardening Uses:

Handling Concerns:
Growing Concerns:

Medicinal Uses:

Compounds Known:
Concerns & Contraindications:

Culinary Uses:

Practical Uses:

Magical Uses:

Additional Notes: divider

Salvia Officinalis: Immortality, wisdom, longevity, protection, wishes, healing, prosperity; has been used to ensure a long life specifically by eating every day in the month of May according to the tradition of an old folk rhyme; a small horn of Sage leaves may be carried to protect against the Evil Eye, or to promote wisdom; to make a wish come true, write it on a Sage leaf and sleep with it beneath your pillow for 3 nights. If you dream of your wish it will happen- if not, bury the leaf to prevent harm.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

Sage- especially White Sage (Salvia Apiana)- is a go to for many, and many people enjoy the way White Sage smells. But while it is a good cleansing ally, it should not be your only ally; change up your cleansing line up on a regular basis.

'Blackthorn's Botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual, and Healing' by Amy Blackthorn

Traditionally Sage, Cedar, Juniper, or Sweetgrass was used by Native Americans for soke cleansing- though some tribes used Tobacco or Copal; Sage is associated with inner wisdom and used to clear away inner blockages, and for purification; it will help with Divination, increase abundance, invite longevity, and protect your home and family; carrying it on your person will help you connect to your intuition; burning it during meditation will help you “see into the future”; A member of the Mint family, it is native to Asia and the Mediterranean, and has been cultivated for many centuries. It grows 1 to 3 feet and blooms from June through September, with flowers ranging from deep red to white to purple, with silvery gray-green slightly fuzzy foliage; it should be harvested in July after the flowers have fully matured; Sage is highly aromatic but slightly bitter to taste, and all parts can be safely used unless pregnant.

'Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants' by Susan Gregg

Sage is a drying agent for the body, and a tea made from it will dry up night sweats, mucus, and congestion; it benefits menstruation and, being astringent, helps with diarrhea; Used as a poultice for cuts and stings, and as a gargle for sore throats and mouth sores; Use 2 tsp of the herb per cup of water steeped for 20 minutes, taken 1/4th cup 4 times per day. For a tincture, 15 to 40 drops up to 4 times per day; Tradition holds that those who eat Sage become immortal in both wisdom and years; Sage is also used in wish manifestation, and in money attraction.

'A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year' by Ellen Evert Hopman

Virtues include healing, protection, cleansing, purification, and wisdom; collected naturally by Roman priestesses dressed in White tunics, barefoot, after ceremonially bathing- only after sacrifices of bread and wine offered to the plant, which would then be cut with a tool made without Iron; the Romans believed its use benefitted most illnesses, as did the Greeks, who believed it improved both mind and body; In the Middle Ages, Sages were used to treat all manner of illness from nervous complaints to Palsery and fever; it was believed good for the head and brain, quickened the senses and memory, strengthened the sinews, and nerves, and restored health to those with Palsy; certain influential figures attributed their long lives to taking Tisanes of the herb nightly. It was also taken to ward off the plague, and believed to be great protection from illness; it is one of the four main ingredients of Four Thieves Vinegar; carry a Sage leaf with you when you need protection; Biblically Sage is mentioned as one of the herbs used to purify the Temple, while White Sage is a well known purifier used among Indigenous Americans. Sage Tea may be taken while fasting to purify the Body and Spirit, and the consumption of its tea or Flower Essence before meditation will help you listen to the inner quiet voice of your soul; working with Sage’s energy can help you align your mental and spiritual bodies and is particularly useful if you are questioning your life’s path, meaning, or purpose;, and need to look at your life from a new perspective; Sage oil or Sage incense may also aid similarly; Sage is safe in food amounts or when taken medicinally, short term, for most people, but may be toxic when taken in the long term or in extremely large amounts. Take care if you are diabetic, or if you have high or low blood pressure in particular, as you may need to adjust medications. Likewise avoid medicinal amounts if pregnant or breastfeeding or have hormone sensitive disorders such as Endometriosis, or cancers, or if you take sedatives; avoid for 2 weeks before any major surgeries.

'The Hearth Witch's Kitchen Herbal: Culinary Herbs for Magic, Beauty, and Health' by Anna Franklin

Sage’s blossoms are experts at clearing the way for clarity, serenity, and general positivity, as well as raising vibrations, and cleansing; if you’re feeling overwhelmed by thoughts or worries, spending a few moments with Sage blossoms can help press the inner reset button; Sage blossoms, if we take a moment to tune in, guide us to that silent space from which we can receive wisdom, perspective, guidance, and clarity. It can also help with emotional detoxification, the removal of negative energies and programming, and aid us in grounding and establishing a newer, healthier us under more positive conditions- especially after particularly toxic, challenging, or frightening life events; it helps balance and detoxify the emotional landscape and heal patterns associated with emotional wounds and broken hearts; Sage’s energy is a spiritual compass pointing us towards health, wisdom, and clarity- and away from negativity, unhealthy patterns, people, and entities whose intentions are not aligned with our truest good. Because it radiates serenity and stillness, it helps us establish our inner habitat and find meditative awareness. It may also aid in reclaiming personal space and boundaries, and in removing energetic blocks we may be experiencing in our lives, allowing us to dissolve or move through stubborn challenges; in the Victorian Flower Language of Floriography, a meaning of Sage is “a deep and profound respect”. Appropriate, as Sage blossom helps us foster respect for and within ourselves- particularly useful when establishing new patterns and positivity.

'The Magic of Flowers: A Guide to Their Metaphysical Uses and Properties' by Tess Whitehurst