SAGE for WISDOM

Sage for wisdom
Sage for the ages
Sage for the woman
During all the stages

Ah! Beautiful, aromatic, flavor filled sage!  This wonderful kitchen staple is a member of a genus, Salvia, that has somewhere between 700 and 9000 species depending on the source.  Some of this discrepancy may be that plants that were at one time classed as two different geniuses were collapsed into one genus.  There are Salvia species found in many parts of the world, including 20 that are native to the United States.  Many of these species are edible and are also used in spiritual ceremonies.  Culinary sage, Salvia officinalis, is one of the species that originated in the Mediterranean mountains and gradually spread around the world from there.

This is a culinary delight in the kitchen that is used to flavor a huge range of dishes, from poultry and stuffing to soups and stews.  It adds a savory punch to squash and other vegetables and a leaf in your herbal tea gives it a refreshing lift.  A sage herbal tea can also be a powerful cleansing agent and insect repellent in your home.  It is used in some natural deodorant blends.

Common sage is a health promoting and medicinal powerhouse that you can grow in your garden or on your patio, even if you don't have a vegetable garden.  It is a stimulant to the digestive system, liver, kidneys, and immune system.  It supports a healthy nervous system and brain function, preventing or delaying cognitive decline and some forms of dementia.  Sage may also delay or prevent the onset of some chronic diseases and metabolic issues.  Even at the levels that are used in cooking, sage has a positive effect on the body.

Sage is also a powerfully energetic plant.  Sage is the plant of wisdom and longevity.  A cup of sage tea is said to bring long life, calm, clarity, and focus.  And, yes, wisdom.  If you wish wisdom in your endeavors, try putting a sage leaf behind your ear or carry it in your pocket.

Many cultures burn sage as a smudge or an incense.  This smudge is used to cleanse and purify homes and spaces.  It is believed to clear the air of destructive elements.  Smudging is done to set sacred space and purify people and spiritual tools.  It is believed to break up negative energy patterns and set new paths.  The smoke is often used to carry prayers into the spiritual world.

If you want prosperity and good luck, convince a stranger to plant sage amongst your perennial flowers.  Or, cup three fresh sage leaves in your hands.  Set your intentions and imagine the prosperity in your life as a fulfilled wish.  Then place the leaves in your wallet.

While sage is perfectly safe for most people as a culinary herb, exercise a bit of caution using it as a therapeutic herb.  Sage contains thujone, which can cause problems for people who are pregnant, breast feeding, are prone to seizures, and some other health issues.  Always consult your medical practitioner before starting an herbal regimen. 

The primary source for this article is 
Sage Plant Profile by Manitu Okaha
Find the profile here 
​https://the-phoenixs-nest.beehiiv.com/p/sage-for-wisdom