<h1 id="dbdc0110-20e8-4b00-bf5a-776072797283" data-toc-id="dbdc0110-20e8-4b00-bf5a-776072797283" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Love Letter to Sage</h1>My love of sage starts with my hometown. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona which is part of the Sonora desert. In the desert, we have a lot of plants, and I grew up during a time were the public school system taught local flora and fauna to everyone.Growing up in the desert is magical. For outsiders, the desert may look drab and dull but the seasons bring colorful flowers and fruits on various cacti and plants. We have birds usually in a brown variety but unique. The road runner (no relation to the road runner in the the cartoons) was a treat to see make its way across the road.<div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XgKf7IHQPkY?si=45wA_7bxQ5-RIHcB" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1701289478290-8f01f504ecde?w=1080&amp;q=80" containerstyle="width: 100%; height: auto; cursor: pointer; " alt="image">One of my favorite things about the desert is how it smells. People who visit may not notice but the desert has a lot of intense smells. Growing up, one of those smells was sage. The plants that grew near our house were called Sagebrush. They are known for the silvery-grey leaves and yellow flowers.The plants smelled of camphor and earth especially when it rained. The flowers usually came during the monsoon season when afternoon thunderstorms lasting as little as 10 minutes sprayed the dry, desert floor enough for flowers to bloom.<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1612496635012-3c34e5109625?w=1080&amp;q=80" containerstyle="width: 100%; height: auto; cursor: pointer; " alt="image">On the surface, the desert is dry and brown and some say boring but I think the desert is just slow. It takes time to see the beauty.It was later that I learned about the variety of Sage that is the Thanksgiving herb and even later that I learned about sage as an indigenous medicinal herb that is often used in the practice of smudging.Sage has a long history in Europe as a medicine. Romans referred to sage as the “holy herb” and it was regularly cultivated to treat snakebites, increase women’s fertility and as a general tonic.As you eat your turkey or tofurkey or stuffing or frozen pizza, consider adding sage for a seasonal flair.Finally, sage appears in one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs. Some plants just stay with you, carrying home in their leaves.<div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Jj4s9I-53g?si=yBHrBmXe5wmceSPo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><h1 id="1a2d90be-ec33-48b8-aae8-52d53d89fba8" data-toc-id="1a2d90be-ec33-48b8-aae8-52d53d89fba8" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Common Types of Sage (<a target="_blank" href="https://mississippigreens.com/sage-plants/">https://mississippigreens.com/sage-plants/</a>)</h1><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1606841634219-d7dbdd97b1ec?w=1080&amp;q=80" containerstyle="width: 100%; height: auto; cursor: pointer; " alt="image"><ul><li>Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) — The classic culinary herb with silvery-green leaves, used for seasoning poultry, stuffing, and sausages. Hardy perennial that produces purple, blue, white, or pink flower spikes.</li><li>White Sage (Salvia apiana) — Native to the Southwest, this is the sage traditionally used in indigenous smudging ceremonies. Known for its silvery-white leaves and strong aromatic properties.</li><li>Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) — A sweeter variety with large leaves and pink blossoms that smell distinctly like pineapple. Often used in teas and as an ornamental.</li><li>Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) — Known for its essential oil and medicinal properties. Produces tall, showy flower spikes and has been used historically for eye health and hormonal balance.</li><li>Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) — The aromatic desert plant I grew up with in Tucson, actually from a different genus than culinary sage. Known for its camphor-like scent, especially after rain during monsoon season.</li></ul><h1 id="cbebd74e-d3b3-412e-971b-5428d3133736" data-toc-id="cbebd74e-d3b3-412e-971b-5428d3133736" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">The Science of Sage</h1><h2 id="596739aa-5412-4eac-b9bf-ae0cf58c0d93" data-toc-id="596739aa-5412-4eac-b9bf-ae0cf58c0d93" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Plant Structure:</h2><ul><li>Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)</li><li>Form: Perennial evergreen subshrub with woody stems</li><li>Height: 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) depending on variety</li><li>Leaves: Gray-green, oblong with pebbly texture, covered in fine hairs, 1-5 inches long, arranged in opposite pairs on square stems (characteristic of mint family)</li><li>Flowers: Small tubular blooms in whorls, typically blue, purple, pink, or white, appearing on upright spikes in early summer</li><li>Root system: Fibrous with spreading rhizomes</li></ul><h2 id="c3812ee9-960e-47fa-a061-b57868d8d268" data-toc-id="c3812ee9-960e-47fa-a061-b57868d8d268" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Reproduction:</h2><ul><li>Seeds: Tiny seeds (over 4 million per pound), germinate in 10-21 days at 60-70°F</li><li>Vegetative propagation: Easily propagated from stem cuttings, root division, or layering</li><li>Pollination: Wind and insect-pollinated; flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds</li></ul><h2 id="36a8f339-15a6-48cb-928f-53c09035381f" data-toc-id="36a8f339-15a6-48cb-928f-53c09035381f" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Growth Requirements:</h2><ul><li>Climate: Hardy in zones 4-10; thrives in temperatures 5-26°C (41-79°F)</li><li>Light: Full sun (6-8 hours daily)</li><li>Soil: Well-draining, sandy loam, pH 6.0-7.0; tolerates poor soil</li><li>Water: Drought-tolerant once established; prefers soil to dry between waterings</li><li>Lifespan: 3-6 years; woody stems develop in second year</li></ul><div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Xlb4O5qzmM?si=Un8aOkYtKt4nZ8bK" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><h2 id="19e78e95-0ec8-4822-b0f6-9a2589364f4a" data-toc-id="19e78e95-0ec8-4822-b0f6-9a2589364f4a" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Harvest Timing and Methods:</h2><ul><li>First harvest: 75 days from seed; can begin harvesting once plant reaches 6 inches</li><li>Best flavor: Before flowering (spring through early summer)</li><li>Technique: Cut stems in morning after dew dries, leaving at least 5 inches of growth</li><li>Frequency: Harvest up to 3 times per growing season</li><li>Drying: Hang bundles upside down in warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks</li></ul><div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0IIOx0FFPc?si=sEo5AFzM7acDvtNg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><h1 id="2023a649-570c-443a-8a57-7f5826b6b092" data-toc-id="2023a649-570c-443a-8a57-7f5826b6b092" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Nutrition</h1>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sage#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2">https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sage#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2</a>)Sage contains over 160 distinct polyphenols, which are plant-based chemical compounds that act as <a target="_blank" class="content-link css-1c2ok3c" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-antioxidants">antioxidants</a> in your body. Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggest that compounds found in sage may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects.A small, older study found that drinking a little over 1 cup (300 ml) of sage <a target="_blank" class="content-link css-1c2ok3c" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-herbal-teas">tea</a> twice daily significantly increased blood levels of antioxidant enzymes. It also lowered both total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as raising “good” HDL cholesterol.<h3 id="c339eb80-4b53-4c81-aca7-d5de22ee8b0c" data-toc-id="c339eb80-4b53-4c81-aca7-d5de22ee8b0c" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Vitamins and minerals</h3>One teaspoon (0.7 grams) of ground sage contains :<ul><li>Calories: 2</li><li>Protein: 0.1 grams</li><li>Carbs: 0.4 grams</li><li>Fat: 0.3 grams</li><li>Fiber: 0.3 grams</li><li>Vitamin K: 12 mcg (10% DV)</li><li>Iron: 0.2 mg (1.1% DV)</li><li>Vitamin B6: 0.02 mg (1.2% DV)</li><li>Calcium: 12 mg (&lt;1% DV)</li><li>Manganese: 0.02 mg (&lt;1% DV)</li></ul><h1 id="7f1d92f9-ce86-4a9b-b5ad-05431e38e11c" data-toc-id="7f1d92f9-ce86-4a9b-b5ad-05431e38e11c" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Recipes</h1>The two recipes I’ve chosen for Sage are a comfort food that I have regularly. Spaghetti with butternut squash and sage. I often sub in pumpkin but it is tasty just the same. This dish may become an healthy comfort food routine in your home. <div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YnHig5H2Byo?si=E6CG8RAG6wx5JAOv" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>The second “recipe” is hints and tricks about what to do with the extra Sage that might be leftover. Seasonal cooking can lead to increased food waste. The second video gives some ideas on how to preserve extra herbs.<div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1FE2lMSZ-7I?si=Gidzo_QZrpoR0v2j" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><h1 id="c332579e-4126-4c19-a10c-55b19c0259c0" data-toc-id="c332579e-4126-4c19-a10c-55b19c0259c0" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Cultural Significance &amp; Symbolism</h1>Core Meanings<ul><li>Wisdom — The name "sage" comes from Latin "salvere" meaning "to heal" or "to save"</li><li>Purification &amp; Cleansing — Clearing negative energy and spiritual renewal</li><li>Protection — Creating barriers against harm and negative influences</li><li>Longevity &amp; Health — Ancient Romans asked "Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?"</li><li>Healing — Both physical and spiritual restoration</li></ul>Indigenous &amp; Native American Traditions<div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4C2BzpTdqQ?si=DQ2fnKGr6OdhNawu" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><ul><li>White Sage as Sacred Medicine — One of the Four Sacred Medicines along with sweetgrass, tobacco, and cedar</li><li>Used by Kumeyaay, Cahuilla, and many Pacific coast Indigenous tribes</li><li>Smudging ceremonies — Burning sage to purify spaces, people, and sacred objects before prayers</li><li>The smoke carries prayers to the spirit world and removes negative energies</li><li>Creates spiritual connection with the Creator and ancestors</li></ul>European Traditions<ul><li>Romans called it the "holy herb" (herba sacra) and used it in religious ceremonies</li><li>Cultivated to treat snakebites, increase fertility, and as a general tonic</li><li>Associated with wisdom, virtue, and immortality</li></ul>Modern Spiritual Practices<ul><li>Represents discernment and mental clarity</li><li>Used before meditation to sharpen intuition</li><li>Symbolizes transformation from confusion to understanding</li><li>Associated with Air (wisdom) and Fire (transformation) elements</li></ul><h1 id="87ef1f8b-1ee5-453b-9018-c5e272183fc0" data-toc-id="87ef1f8b-1ee5-453b-9018-c5e272183fc0" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Herbal Remedies and Benefits</h1>Traditional Uses<ul><li>Digestive Health — Relieves loss of appetite, gas, stomach pain, and bloating</li><li>Respiratory Support — Soothes coughs and throat irritation</li><li>Skin Problems — Applied topically for various skin conditions</li><li>Menopause Relief — Reduces hot flashes and night sweats</li></ul>Research-Supported Benefits<ul><li>Memory &amp; Cognition — May help with chemical imbalances affecting memory and thinking skills; studied for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment</li><li>Antioxidant Properties — Contains powerful compounds that protect cells from damage</li><li>Antimicrobial Effects — Natural antibacterial properties</li><li>Anti-inflammatory — Reduces inflammation throughout the body</li><li>Blood Sugar Support — May help regulate blood sugar levels</li><li>Cholesterol Management — Potentially reduces cholesterol levels</li></ul>Active CompoundsSage contains over 49 aromatic components including 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-thujone, β-thujone, α-humulene, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, carnosol, and quercetin.<h1 id="396e3931-67ef-4c18-8ed9-e28edfc6719a" data-toc-id="396e3931-67ef-4c18-8ed9-e28edfc6719a" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Allergies and Precautions</h1><h3 id="b1f87022-662d-4f75-ba33-2435c74b35c4" data-toc-id="b1f87022-662d-4f75-ba33-2435c74b35c4" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Important Safety Information</h3>Do Not Use If:<ul><li>Pregnant or breastfeeding — May reduce milk supply; thujone content can be harmful to baby</li><li>Seizure disorders — Thujone may trigger seizures</li><li>Hormone-sensitive conditions — Including breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids</li></ul>Use With Caution:<ul><li>Diabetes — May lower blood sugar levels; monitor carefully if taking diabetes medications</li><li>Blood pressure conditions — Can affect blood pressure</li><li>Upcoming surgery — Stop using at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery as it affects blood sugar control</li></ul>Possible Side Effects (especially at high doses)Restlessness, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, or kidney damage with prolonged use.Drug InteractionsSage may interact with diabetes medications, sedatives, and anticonvulsant medications.Note: Culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) is different from sagebrush (Artemisia), which is a common fall allergen causing respiratory symptoms.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aspireallergy.com/blog/all-about-sagebrush">[4]</a><h1 id="fec1bb7a-5cf3-4103-94d0-0b380ca88d72" data-toc-id="fec1bb7a-5cf3-4103-94d0-0b380ca88d72" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">10 Fascinating Facts About Sage</h1><ol><li>Ancient Medicine Goes Back 4,000+ Years — The oldest known records of sage's healing properties date back over 4,000 years to ancient Egypt, where it was used as a remedy for infertility and even to treat the plague.</li><li>Pharaohs Couldn't Travel Without It — Ancient Egyptians used sage as a key ingredient in embalming mixtures, ensuring no pharaoh entered the afterlife without this sacred herb.</li><li>Over 900 Species Exist — While we commonly think of culinary sage, the Salvia genus contains more than 900 different species worldwide.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gardenia.net/plants/common-names/sage">[2]</a></li><li>The Name Means "To Be Saved" — Sage's botanical name Salvia comes from the Latin word "salvare," meaning "to heal" or "to save," highlighting its ancient medicinal reputation.</li><li>Romans Called It the Herb of Immortality — Ancient Romans considered sage a sacred ceremonial herb and believed it could enhance memory and quicken the senses. It was often mentioned as the herb of immortality, domestic virtue, health, and wisdom.</li><li>Medieval Wisdom Asked the Ultimate Question — A famous medieval saying proclaimed: "Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?" reflecting the belief that sage could cure nearly everything.</li><li>Drought Survivor by Design — Sage's drought tolerance comes from its aromatic oils and tiny hairs covering its leaves, which minimize water loss in harsh conditions.</li><li>Natural Meat Preservative — Both ancient Romans and Egyptians used sage to preserve meat long before modern refrigeration existed.</li><li>Contains 49+ Aromatic Compounds — Sage leaves are chemically complex, containing more than 49 different aromatic components that contribute to its distinctive flavor and medicinal properties.</li><li>Perfect Pollinator Architecture — Sage flowers have tubular shapes perfectly designed to attract specific pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with some species like Mexican Bush Sage being hummingbird magnets.</li></ol><div class="iframe-wrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ABl1blhOV8s?color=white" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>

Sensational Sage

Common Types of Sage (https://mississippigreens.com/sage-plants/)

This blog features love letters to different fruits and vegetables.  Each letter includes information about the nutrition, recipes, history, fun facts, and 'how-to' grow.

Sensational Sage

Sensational Sage

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