Garden sage botanical plate

Herb. No. 046 · Lamiaceae

RangeFig. atlas
Approximate native range — a teaching atlas, not a survey

Garden sage of the northern Mediterranean.

Native · Mediterranean

Native Also grownNow a garden plant worldwide
LegalGentleplant

Garden sage

Salvia officinalis

Medicinal herbsKitchenHarvestCompanions

The grey kitchen sage — a drying, aromatic leaf for sore throats and rich food.

Garden sage is astringent and thujone-bearing in the oil. Traditional European use is as a gargle and a fatty-meat herb. Culinary leaf is gentle; long internal use of strong tea is outdated. Distinct from S. divinorum.

Flavor

Camphor, eucalyptus, and a dry velvety bitterness.

Parts used

Leaf

Helpful

  • Always in the garden
  • Excellent gargle

Cautions

  • Thujone in the oil — no marathon internal use
  • Can dry the mouth

Field assistant

Ask about traditional use, safety, or the law. The assistant will not teach illegal cultivation or give medical orders.

Related symptoms

Teas with this plant

Remedies with this plant

  • Sage and thyme gargle

    Adult: gargle 1 cup, 2–3 times a day, for 2–3 days. Do not swallow cup after cup of strong sage — thujone lives there.

Harvest this plant

When to cut, how to dry, and how to store it — garden and kitchen crops only.

Open harvest notes

Companion planting

9 to plant with · 1 to keep apart.

Open companion beds