Horti Tops® Salvia Officinalis / Broad-Leaved Sage

Salvia Officinalis / Broad-Leaved Sage (Salvia officinalis)

The Herb of Wisdom and Healing

Sage’s botanical name, Salvia, comes from the Latin “salvere” meaning to heal or save. For thousands of years, sage was considered a cure-all – the saying went “why should a man die who has sage in his garden?” Today we know sage does have remarkable properties, including compounds that support memory and cognitive function.

Culinary Uses

With fatty meats: Sage’s slightly camphoraceous flavor cuts through rich, fatty dishes beautifully. Essential with pork and sausages.

Brown butter sage: Melt butter until it turns golden and nutty, add sage leaves and fry until crisp. Pour over pasta, gnocchi, or ravioli. Divine.

Stuffing: Sage is the defining herb in traditional bread stuffing for poultry.

Saltimbocca: The classic Italian dish of veal wrapped with sage and prosciutto.

Sage Tea for Memory

Research supports sage’s traditional use for memory. Studies show sage extract improves memory and attention in healthy adults. Simply steeping a few leaves in hot water makes a mildly astringent tea that has been drunk for mental clarity since ancient times.

Growing Tips

Sage is a hardy perennial shrub that thrives in sunny, well-drained spots. It becomes woody with age – prune hard in spring to maintain tender growth. Purple, tricolor, and golden varieties are equally flavorful and add beauty to the garden.

Growing Salvia Officinalis / Broad-Leaved Sage