Sage Uses beyond the Spice Rack

When I think of sage, memories of fragrant Christmas dinners and gardening with my grandmother come to mind. Although I’m familiar with sage uses in the kitchen, I was unaware of how sage could potentially benefit me.

The leafy green plant, also known as Salvia officinalis, is considered a hearty evergreen perennial that grows 12 to 30 inches in height, according to the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. This makes it an easy plant to cultivate in home gardens within planting zone 4 through 8, which is most of the United States, excluding the northern most regions and southern tips. (Find out what zone you live in here.)

Benefits of Sage

So why should you add this herb to your next shopping list? Besides updating your sauce and chicken recipes, sage uses include a long medicinal history. Throughout history, sage has been used for everything from mental disorders to gastrointestinal discomfort, according to Medical News Today.

Fresh sage, which is part of the mint family, contains antioxidant compounds, and as a result, some people even believe sage could calm certain chronic conditions.

Before taking sage, or any supplement, talk with your doctor about what results you might expect to see and if it is safe for you to consume. Some herbs can affect the efficacy of prescription medications and supplements.

How to Use Sage

Try enjoying sage fresh or dried. It pairs particularly well with poultry, egg, and pork dishes. Are you a vegetarian or vegan? I’ve also added it to homemade vinaigrette salad dressing and vegetable soup due to its robust flavor. Sage can also be found in your bathroom cupboard. The potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of sage make it a popular ingredient in natural deodorant bar soaps, hand creams, and cosmetics.

If you spend summer evenings outdoors, try adding a bundle of dried sage to your fire pit to keep bugs away. Or, make a holiday wreath from dried or fresh sage leaves for the patio. You can also add dried sage leaves to homemade potpourri blends.

Do you love this herb? Tell us your new and different sage uses by commenting on our Facebook or Twitter pages!

Image sources: Flickr | Flickr

This article was brought to you by Tom’s of Maine. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of Tom’s of Maine.