Sage

Sage has long since been used as a medicine and flavoring its genus name Salvia is a derived from the Latin salvus meaning safe or well. The name was given to the plant because it was so highly regarded medicinally. The word sage comes to us from the French name for the plant Sauge. Because of it’s medicinal and healthy qualities, sage has since ancient times had a reputation for promoting longevity. English writer John Evelyn once claimed that a heavy use of Sage would render a man immortal. Myth and Lore also surround sage as it was said to Florish in the garden only when women were in the household, and another folktale belief held that sage plants reflected the fortunes of the man of the house, flourishing when he prospered and withering when he did not.

Well known in the use of smudge sticks, my European spiritual ancestors never used Sage for such uses and as such, I would suggest the following uses for sage.
A nursing mother whose child has just been weaned can take sage tea for a few days to help stop the flow of milk. As a gargle, the tea is good for sore throat, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. It also helps to eliminate mucous congestion in the respiratory passages and the stomach. Finally crushed fresh sage leaves can be used as a first aid for insect bites.
When using fresh sage leaves be sure to collect them before flowering and to make an infusion steep 1 teaspoon of crushed leaves in half a cup of boiled water for 30 minutes.

Benefits:
-Taking sage can improve and enhance one's memory.
-Sage contains rosmarinic acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory.
-Sage is a powerful antioxidant.
-Gargle with sage tea in order to relieve a sore throat or any mouth infections.
-Women suffering from excessive sweating due to the menopause can try drinking sage tea.
-Sage can help to regulate menstruation and is good for all female gynecological problems.
-Sage is said to ease anxiety and relieve stress and depression.
-Sage can aid in digestion, particularly the digestion of rich, fatty foods.
-Use sage tea as a hair rinse, to reduce hair loss