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salvia officinalis
Lamiaceae
Plant native to Southern Europe. A Salvia Officinalis is one of the most widespread and cultivated species for culinary uses. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with gray-green, erect and lanceolate leaves, very fragrant, forming a small clump with a very strong stem, which reaches about 60 cm in height.
Its leaves are greyish green, oblong, toothed, wrinkled and whorled. In early summer, it has clusters of violet flowers. The whole plant is strongly aromatic.
In addition to culinary use, it can be used in flower pots, as its foliage, with a strong aroma, is very beautiful and ornamental. It is also interesting to use it in flower beds, mixed with other plants.
 
Flavor Notes
Sage can be smooth, musky and balsamic, or strongly camphorated with astringent notes and a spicy, fiery aftertaste. In general, variegated species are milder than officinal sage. Dried sage is stronger than fresh sage and can be acrid and musky; it is best avoided except for making tea.
 
Uses
The leaves, dry or green, are an excellent condiment for meat dishes, stews and casseroles, their presence being indispensable in most Italian cuisine, where their bitter and astringent flavor is especially noticeable. The mutton and suckling pig are particularly successful with the scent of the sage. The goose and the wild duck are also valued with their presence. It goes well with several dishes, especially the fattier ones. It is an excellent seasoning for omelettes, cheeses, to flavor salads, pickles, sausages, roast chicken, fish, soups and can replace bay leaf. Sage is perfectly preserved without losing any of its aromatic and therapeutic properties, stored in jars with a ground-glass lid, after being well dried.
 
Cultivation
It should be grown in full sun, in fertile, light and draining soil, enriched with organic matter and irrigated periodically. It is able to withstand short periods of drought, but does not tolerate waterlogging. 
When used in flowerbeds or in the garden, they should be planted with a 40cm spacing. 
Tolerates high temperatures and is frost-resistant.
 
properties
Medicinally, sage is attributed to several therapeutic properties linked to the respiratory and digestive systems. The leaves and flowers are used to reduce menstrual, stomach and intestinal colic, and against colds. It has antiseptic properties. Tonic, digestive, diuretic, carminative and hemostatic action. Cons stress, depression and burnout. The leaves harvested before flowering or flowering tops are used in decoction, mixed with honey, baths, infusions and tonic wine. Not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.