Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a herb native to the Mediterranean, belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Wild Greek Sage can be used fresh or dried both as a culinary herb and medicinal herb. It can be taken as a tea, and the infusion can be used externally as a skin and hair rinse, and as a gargle for sore throats. Sage has a strong flavor that is spicy and sharp, with a hint of camphor. Small amounts of sage leaves are often used in cooking meats and poultry, or in wreaths. Sage smoke can be used as a room deodorizer.
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| Greek Sage |
Health Benefits of Sage:
Ancient Greek physicians, such as Dioscurides and Hippocrates, were familiar with the medicinal and therapeutic qualities and applications of sage. Hippocrates (4th century BCE) prescribed sage as a remedy for lung diseases and gynecological disorders. Dioscurides (1st centry AD) used sage as a diuretic, to stop external bleeding, and to promote menstrual discharge.Modern research has discovered that the impact of sage on the human body can be considerable, which is why sage is widely exported around the world and makes it into recipes from the United States to the Middle East.
- Due to its high antioxidant capacity, sage can help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Sage tea is beneficial in treating fevers and colds, sore throat and headaches as well as indigestion and gastro-intestinal upsets.
- Helps with menopause symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes.
- Sage stimulates brain function to improve memory and concentration.
- Bone Strength: One of the most overlooked benefits of sage is actually its superior level of vintamin K, an essential vitamin for the body that isn’t found in many common foods. Vitamin K is a crucial element in developing bone density and ensuring the integrity of our bones as we age.
- Bone Strength: One of the most overlooked benefits of sage is actually its superior level of vintamin K, an essential vitamin for the body that isn’t found in many common foods. Vitamin K is a crucial element in developing bone density and ensuring the integrity of our bones as we age.
- Diabetes Management: There may be some debate about the efficacy of sage on certain health conditions explained above, but when it comes to diabetes, there is widespread agreement. Sage contains certain extracts and chemicals that mimic the drugs typically prescribed for managing diabetes.
Cooking with Sage:
Use sage as a seasoning for tomato sauce.
Add fresh sage to omelets and frittatas.
Sprinkle some sage on top of your next slice of pizza.
Combine sage leaves, bell peppers, cucumbers and sweet onions with plain yogurt for an easy to prepare, refreshing salad.
When baking chicken or fish in parchment paper, place some fresh sage leaves inside so that the food will absorb the flavors of this wonderful herb.
Add fresh sage to omelets and frittatas.
Sprinkle some sage on top of your next slice of pizza.
Combine sage leaves, bell peppers, cucumbers and sweet onions with plain yogurt for an easy to prepare, refreshing salad.
When baking chicken or fish in parchment paper, place some fresh sage leaves inside so that the food will absorb the flavors of this wonderful herb.
Sage Tea preparation:
Place 2 table spoons sage and water in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until mixture begins to boil. Using a strainer, pour the tea into 2 glasses add honey to each and stir well.
