Salvia fruticosa, the queen of the herbs

The botanical name of sage - salvia is derived from the Latin word salvus, which means 'to save, to heal'. The genus Salvia (sage) is the largest genus of plants in the Lamiaceae family, comprising over 900 species distributed throughout the world. Common species include S. officinalis (common sage), S. miltiorrhiza (Chinese sage), S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage), S. fruticosa (Greek sage), S. sclarea (clary sage) and S. hispanica (chia).

The most common sages for use in the Mediterranean basin are the medical sage (Salvia officinalis) or the Mediterranean or Greek Sage (Salvia fruticosa).

The Mediterranean Sage grows wild in Israel as well as in Greece.

The common sage in gardens is a hybrid of medical sage and triple sage and it is called Line 4. It can be found in nurseries.

Sage, is used worldwide as an aromatic herb for culinary purposes as well as medicinal preparations. Many species of Salvia are native to Mediterranean Europe and have been traditionally used for the treatment of a range of problems.

Sage has been a subject of intensive scientific studies to find new biological molecules and understand their effects.

Salvia species are a rich source of polyphenol compounds with over 160 identified polyphenols, comprising an array of phenolic acids and flavonoids.

In vitro and animal studies have confirmed that several of these molecules have active compounds that may enhance cognitive activity. Sage tea has been used traditionally as a brain-enhancing tonic and extracts from sage have been reported to have both cognitive and memory enhancing effects.

Not all the herbs are the same

The essential oils' yields, compositions, and biological activities levels of the fresh and differently timed and room-temperature dried herbs differed significantly. The lowest yields of the essential oil were obtained from the fresh herbs, while the highest yield was obtained from the two-week dried herbs. Also the harvest period had a significant effect on the essential oils' content, leaves collected in July contained 15% more oils than those collected in June.

Our best S. fruticosa

What about Pasion Mediterranea's sage?

We recently planted a large field of wild Mediterranean Sage in our ecological farm in Platanistos, Evia Island in Greece.

The land was out of use for about 20 years and needed to be cleaned and moved.

Our little Salvia fruticosa plants were prepared from cuttings of original plants found in the wild. We transplanted them this October and we plan to start harvesting the fragrant new leaves next summer. During the summer we irrigate the land with waters coming from the nearby spring.

In the middle of work

How to make the best sage infusion?

Sage has a special taste, aroma and scent and is used in cooking, home cleansing and in the field of cosmetics.

Preparation of sage infusion

Take 2-3 leaves of sage.

Put in a glass and pour boiling water.

It is recommended to cover the glass and wait 10-15 minutes, then drink.

Sage is a strong plant and it is not recommended to drink much from it.

3-4 leaves a day will suffice completely.

Sage has a relaxing and calming effect, it strengthens the body, connects to the earth and uplifts the mood. There is an old saying: "Why should a man die, while sage grows in his garden?"