Sage: More Than Just a Christmas Herb

Lucille Fifield
Apr 20
3 min read

Last spring, I planted two small pots of Salvia officinalis—the common culinary sage with its soft, grey-green leaves. Modest in size at first, they’ve now grown into generous, bushy shrubs that have withstood the Yorkshire winter with grace. I love how they catch the light on a cool morning, full of promise and fragrance, and I often run my fingers through them as I pass by.

Like many, I once thought sage was only really useful once a year—in Christmas stuffing. But as someone who is entirely plant-based, even our festive centrepiece is a homemade vegan “turkey,” and yes—sage plays a starring role in the seasoning. But I’ve since discovered this herb is so much more than a holiday flavour. It’s a reliable, healing companion with a long history of medicinal use.

Sage contains antioxidants, which may help promote oral health and brain function.

A Simple Herb with Profound Potential

Sage belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and comes in many varieties—Greek, Spanish, pineapple, Chinese red—but the one I grow and use is Salvia officinalis, the classic garden sage. It's not just beautiful; it's versatile, medicinal, and dependable.

I now use sage regularly, not just in cooking but in teas and home remedies. One of my favourite blends includes fresh oregano and feverfew—also growing well in the herb garden. (I’ll be sharing more on those in future blogs, so stay tuned!)

Practical Uses in Everyday Life

This herb is incredibly giving. Here are just a few ways I use it and how you might too:

Digestive comfort: A warm cup of sage tea after meals can help ease bloating and indigestion.
Natural deodoriser: Chew a fresh leaf after meals—especially after eating garlic—and your breath will thank you.
Tooth and gum health: Sage tea makes a brilliant natural mouth rinse. It soothes sore gums and freshens the mouth.
Winter remedy: A strong infusion of sage can ease sore throats, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. I like to gargle it warm, sometimes with a bit of lemon.
Menopausal support: Sage has traditionally been used to reduce hot flushes and balance hormonal fluctuations.
Brain & mood: Some studies suggest sage helps with memory, focus, and even mood support.

What’s Inside Sage?

Behind its humble leaves are powerful compounds like:

Rosmarinic and ursolic acid – anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Carnosic acid – known for supporting cognitive health
Volatile oils – like camphor, cineole, and linalool that benefit the respiratory and nervous systems

And yes, it smells as good as it works.

How Much Should You Use?[1]

If you’re using it therapeutically:

1.5–9 grams of dried sage per day (roughly 1–3 teaspoons)
Or 2–4 ml of tincture, three times daily (up to 12 ml)

Personally, I enjoy 2–3 fresh leaves with lemon balm and mint steeped in hot water as part of my herbal tea blends—gentle and effective.

From Pot to Plate to Potent Medicine

Having sage just outside the kitchen door is a quiet joy. It’s hardy, generous, and full of possibilities. I use it in everything from festive plant-based roasts to everyday herbal teas, from toothpaste to simple remedies for winter ailments.

It’s amazing to think that these two little pots—planted with no great fanfare—have become a daily blessing.

Do you grow sage too? Or perhaps you're thinking of starting? I’d love to hear how you use yours.

References

[1] Green Medicine Encylopedia SCIENCE-BASED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NUTRITION AND NATURAL MEDICINE; https://www.greenmedicineencyclopedia.com