SAGE
(Salvia willeana)
Appearance
A low-growing strongly aromatic herb sometimes carpeting the
ground. Whole plant is hairy glandular with rounded or elongated leaves.
Flowers, which appear from May to October, are white or tinged mauve.
Habitat
Salvia willeana is an endemic plant to Cyprus, locally
common in the Troodos range. It grows on moist rocky mountain sides
under pines, junipers or golden oaks from 3.450 ft to 6,400 ft.
Uses and Properties
These are similar to salvia fruticosa. Its Latin
name "salvia" means health and from early times it was believed to be a
source of good physical and mental health. Sage can also be used to
halt milk production in nursing mothers and has strong antiseptic
action, starting a couple of hours after intake and lasting several
days. Extracts or infusions (tincture salviae) are used as tonics and
antidiarrhoids. Widely used in cookery. A fine light coloured honey
with good flavour and slow granulation is produced by bees foraging on
sage.
