Sage - Medicinal and Magickal

Sage has many uses and benefits...

It can be used to make sage tea, which is a refreshing drink, particularly popular in Europe, in the Middle Ages. Gargling with common sage (Salvia Officinalis) tea, helped strengthen gums and keep teeth white and was also a well-known, sometimes very effective laryngitis and sore throat cure. Sage tea can also be used to relieve the discomfort of measles, dizziness, colds, fever, and headaches.

The addition of milk and honey, (as a natural sweetener), made a stimulating drink, enjoyed just as much today as in the Middle Ages. Sage is a natural aid in digestion, and when consumed moderately, the tea can boost insulin activity and reduce blood sugar, thus possibly being a help to diabetics, but your doctor should be consulted before drinking sage tea, if you are diabetic. Never use sage tea to replace your normal drinks, either. It should be noted that this, drunk in excess can be toxic, so should, by recommendation, be saved for special occasions, as a well-deserved treat.

Romans, Greeks and Arabs used a sage compress for the relief of snake bites. A sage and vinegar compress can also be a very effective aid in the reduction of pain of bruises, and its natural antiseptic qualities, and can be used internally and externally for bacterial infections. Sage can reduce excessive sweating, particular caused in women by the menopausal stage in life. A good tonic for nerves, it is believed to be good for the brain, stimulating memory improvement. It has been found, in recent research, to possibly even help in treating Alzheimer's disease, which many older members of the human race suffer.

A strong wash will help with skin ulcers, rashes and dandruff and will also act as an insect repellent, both in the home and garden. In the home it will rid the user of flies, and in the garden, cabbage moths and carrot flies. On the good side, it will attract bees, resulting in a very aromatic honey.

White Broadleaf Sage, considered the King of all sages, is also used as an ingredient of smudge sticks, when it is bundled up whole and dried. One end of a smudge stick is lit and then blown out, so that it smoulders and smokes, these properties being used for purification and cleansing. White Sage is the prominent ingredient in smudge sticks, but sweet grass, cedar and lavender are also used. If you can gather and dry your own wild sage for smudging, do so, as it will retain the spirituality of the herb. If you prefer, sage can be burnt in an incense bowl, and the smoke brushed around the room, by using a feather as a fan. The herb is also an excellent one for meditation and divination.

Regular Green (or garden) Sage, is used in protection, prosperity, fertility, longevity, money attraction, healing, and business rituals. It is said that if you eat sage, you will become more wise and immortal.

Element: Air

Planet: Jupiter