SAGE  1/2
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                                    CULTIVATION:
     Sage  is a small greyish-green evergreen shrub, which will grow to about 1
     foot tall. It has rough wrinkled leaves and spikes of soft purple flowers.

     Sage  needs  full  sun and light,  dry,  alkaline  well drained soil. Grow
     common sage from seeds, or take cuttings. Rooting time is about 4 weeks in
     summer.  Germination  times is about 12 days,  and they mature in about 75
     days.  Plant  18-24 inches apart, prune  frequently to keep bushy. Sage is
     less productive after 4-5 years. Yellowing leaves can mean roots need more
     space. Sage grows in zone 6-10.

     Pick leaves just before flowers appear. Never remove all leaves since this
     jeopardize  its chance of surviving the winter. Leaves are rich in natural
     oils in there second year. Dry sage leaves slowly.


                                   CULINARY USES:
     This  is  a very useful herb as you  can gather its leaves for most of the
     year.  Sage  has  a  strong aromatic flavor,  and  it  has to be used with
     discretion,  as too much can easily spoil a dish. Its scent comes from the
     essential oil called Tannins which is contained in the leaves.

     Use  sage  leaves  in onion soup,  with  stewed  tomatoes, omelettes, herb
     scones,  and bread. If you buy dried sage,  make sure it is of top quality
     as otherwise it acquires an unpleasant musty flavor.

     Add  a  few leaves of sage to a  cup of hot milk. Particularly warming and
     enjoyable on a cold winter's day.

     To make your own sage vinegar, use cider or wine vinegar as a base. Bruise
     the  freshly  picked sage and loosely fill  a clean jar. Pour warm but not
     hot vinegar to fill the jar and cap with an acid-proof lid. Set in a sunny
     window  and shake daily for 2 weeks.  Test for flavor, if a stronger taste
     is required, strain vinegar and repeat with fresh herbs. Add a fresh sprig
     to bottle for identification and visual appeal.


                                  MEDICAL   USES:
     Sage   has   wide  medicinal  application,   especially  effective  as  an
     anti-sudorific  in  case  of excessive sweating.  Sip  an infusion of sage
     leaves, you may experience relieve in about 2 Hours.

     Sage is also useful in liver diseases, respiratory tract infection, and in
     nervous conditions such as anxiety or depression. Red sage is an effective
     antiseptic  gargle and may be used as  a douche in leucorrhoea, or in bath
     to treat skin problems.

     Sage  contains  chemicals  that  are  astringent.  Applied  externally, it
     stimulates  blood  flow  to  the area  where  it's  used.  These qualities
     contribute  to  the value of a sage  infusion as a gargle for tonsillitis,
     bleeding gums, and other inflammatory conditions of the mouth and throat.

     For  a gargle to help with a sore  throat use 2 tablespoons of sage leaves
     to  a  pint of boiling water. Let  stand  for 7-10 minutes. Steep, and let
     cool  down.Add  sage tea to the vaporizer.  Sage  will help open nasal and
     head  passages.  Apply  cool sage tea  to  raw abrasions or hot-leave mash
     enclosed in a cloth to painful area.
     





                                     SAGE  2/2
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                                      WARNING:
     Sage  contains  a potent oil called  Thujone. There is evidence to suggest
     that long-term intake of Thujone can contribute to physical deterioration.
     Large  amounts of Thujone can induce convulsion and loss of consciousness.
     Cooking  with  sage is a safe alternative.  The heat burns off most of the
     chemical.


                                    OTHER  USES:
     Put  dried  sage  leaves among the  contents  in your closet to discourage
     insects.


                                   COSMETIC USES:
     Rubbed gently on the teeth, they will remove plaque, help clean stains and
     stimulate the gum.

     With  a mortar and pestle grind a handful of sage leaves into a handful of
     salt,  and  bake that in the oven until  it is a green hard mass. Grind it
     again  into a fine powder. Place it in  a ointment jar with a lid. Use the
     powder  instead  of  toothpaste. The sage  is  helpful in eliminating many
     yellow tooth stains and has a clean taste.