Sage
(Salvia officinalis)
Common or garden sage is an aromatic, perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae
( Labiatae ) and is native to the Mediterranean region. Sage is cultivated
for its leaves, which are often used either fresh or dried as a culinary
herb to flavour poultry and pork. Sage bushes commonly grow to about 60
cm (2 feet) and are characterised by their wrinkled, downy, grey-green/whitish-green
oval leaves. Sage has also been used as a source for essential-oils (thujone
and borneol) and for its stimulating properties (e.g. when brewed as tea).
In medieval Europe, sage was thought to strengthen the memory and promote
wisdom. Apart from Salvia officinalis , there are many other species
of Salvia that are also commonly referred to as sage. [ ]
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[1] The Encyclopaedia
Britannica Online :
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