Facts about Salvia
Some, such as the white sage or sacred sage and divine sage or diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum) also have a history of usage in religious ceremonies.
White sage, Salvia apiana, also known as sacred sage, is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
The ancient Greeks used Salvia offinalis to treat consumption, ulcers, and snake bites.
Salvia divinorum, known as divine sage, which is native to Mexico, has been used for centuries by shamans in healing rituals to achieve altered states of consciousness (Longe 2005).
When used without modifiers, sage generally refers to Salvia officinalis; however, it can be used with modifiers to refer to any member of the genus.
Common sage is also grown in parts of Europe, especially the Balkans for distillation of the essential oil, though other species, such as Salvia triloba, may also be harvested and distilled with it.
Diviner's sage, also called Yerba de la Pastora or sometimes just Salvia, is a plant that differs from all the other sages.
Sage is sauteed in olive oil and butter until crisp, then plain or stuffed pasta is added (burro e salvia).
The leaves and s of the lyre-leafed sage or cancerweed, Salvia lyrata, was used by Native Americas as a salve for sores and in tea form to treat colds and coughs (Longe 2005).
Common sage, Salvia officinalis, is a small evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers.
The true white sage is Salvia apiana, which has a delightful scent when burned.
The genus name, Salvia, is variously attributed to derivation from the Latin salveo, meaning "to heal," or salvus, meaning "safe," or salvare, meaning "to save."
True or common sage, Salvia officinalis, is native to the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal values (Herbst 2001).
The clary sage, Salvia sclarea, received its name because of its traditional use as an eyewash (Longe 2005).
Sage is the common name for any of the plants comprising the genus Salvia, and in particular is used for Salvia officinalis, known as true sage, common sage, meadow sage, or garden sage.