Sage
by Science Source
Title
Sage
Artist
Science Source
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Etching, engraving of the flower, fruit, and seeds of a sage plant, 1737. Salvia officinalis (garden sage, common sage) is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the family Lamiaceae and is native to the Mediterranean region, though it has naturalized in many places throughout the world. It has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. Salvia officinalis has been used since ancient times for warding off evil, snakebites, increasing women's fertility, and more. The Romans likely introduced it to Europe from Egypt as a medicinal herb. Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen all recommended sage as a diuretic, hemostatic, emmenagogue, and tonic. It was sometimes called S. salvatrix (sage the savior), and was one of the ingredients of Four Thieves Vinegar, a blend of herbs which was supposed to ward off the plague. Sage is great for cleansing an area of all that is negative or left over. Uses in witchcraft and magic include purification, celebrating Samhain, crone work and protection spells.
Uploaded
March 14th, 2013
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