Sage- Planet: Mercury/Jupiter Element: Earth Main magickal uses: cleansing, healing, longevity, money, passion, prosperity, psychic development, psychic protection, purification, wisdom Other magickal uses: business, clairvoyance, consecration, divination, domestic harmony, energy, happiness, inspiration, keeping secrets, knowledge, love, Mabon, meditation, peace, retention, Samhain, tranquility, weddings, Yule Lore: The kind of sage found in the kitchen was brought to the New World by colonists, and was especially popular among Germans. It should not be confused with sagebrush.
Parts used
The leaves and essential oil are used.
Properties
Sage is an astringent, antiseptic, tonic herb, with a camphor-like aroma.Sage relaxes spasms, suppresses perspiration and lactation, improves liver function and digestion and has anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and estrogenic effects.
It contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenes and an essential oil which contains a-thujone, camphor, 1,8-ceneole and other monoterpenes.
Therapeutic uses
* Internal use
o Sage is used internally to treat indigestion and flatulence.
o It is also used to reduce excessive lactation in nursing mothers and night sweats (especially in menopause), excessive salivation, profuse perspiration, anxiety, depression, female sterility and menopausal problems.
o It also has supportive properties for the liver and is used to boost the functionality of the liver.
* External use
o Externally, it can be used for insect bites, throat, mouth, gum and skin infections, as well as vaginal discharge.
o It contains rosmarinic acid that has good antioxidant properties, which are reinforced by the picrosalvin also found in sage.
o Furthermore it has antimicrobial and antiviral effects and is often used in hair care to combat greasy and oily hair by regulating the sebum production of the scalp. It is used to treat various skin problems, such as acne.
* Aromatherapy and essential oil use
o Using small amounts, it lightens a tired mind and fights depression and grief. It must be used with great care, since high amounts can cause problems.
o It is useful to the digestive system, increasing appetitive, balancing the female hormone estrogen and easing dull aches and pains.
o Very useful for regulating the menstrual cycle, as well as reducing night sweats during menopause.
o On the skin, it is useful to refine the texture, for wound healing, as well as to clear up sores, ulcers and dermatitis.
o It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, Hypertensive, laxative, stomachic and tonic properties.
I have heard similar wives tales about sage extracts being used in anti-aging creams and such, but as far as I know, you'd have to actually read the ingredients of each product to find out for yourself.
personally I think it's up to the individual for some things. For essential oils it needs to be fresh that I do know, but for creating things like astringents, I think it depends more on the person and what they prefer, and how they know to make one. I will use either fresh leaves from the plant for certain things, where as I'll use dried leaves for other things like tea.
