I have a big fluffy sage bush growing - what are some good uses for sage?

Why should a man die, when he can go to his garden for sage?! Is this the Mexican bush sage with white wooley and then, purple flowers?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The ancients who said it would cure warts, epilepsy, measles, and worms.

After that time and in U.S. early history, it was mainly used for coughs, colds, and fevers, and as a basic tonic.

Nowadays, under scientific studies, sage has been found to have voliatile oils and tannins which clear up perspiration. These oils have antiseptic, astringent, and irritant properties, which makes this a good herb for treating sores and mouth irritations. Sage is also believed to contain natural forms of estrogen and it has also been used to treat irregular menstruation and menopause

Leaves are often used to aid digestion and as an antiseptic and are also used to help combat diarrhea. The leaves are often taken as a sage sandwich. Sage tea and wine are used as nerve and blood tonics.

It is said to keep the blood vessels soft and supple, helping in the healing of bruises, blood circulation, and helps in dissolving blood clots and keeping them from forming.

A simple tea made from sage:

Steep 1 teaspoon leaves in 1/2 cup hot water. Take 1 cup per day, 1 tablespoon at a time.
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When using essential oil of sage, know that it comes from the distillation of the partially dried leaves. This oil blends well with rosemary, rosewood, lavendar, hyssop, lemon and other citrus oils for the making of some wonderful perfumery!

You can use dried sage in potpourris, crafts, perfumes, soaps, flower arrangements, aftershaves, and cooking.

Culinary uses include using the flowers in tossed salads. The leaves can be used dried and crumbled as a sprinkled seasoning - very popular in Italian and other Mediterranean dishes.

You can dip fresh sage or basil leaves in batter and fry them 'til golden brown just like fried vegetables.. YUM!!!!!!

It can be planted with cabbage and carrots to help repel moths and flies. It attracts bees, and beekeepers say it makes a wonderful flavored honey.

Whew! That's about all I can think of for now, but if you need any recipes, etc., just let me know!

Prime Time Kitty <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You know, I don't think I've ever seen flowers on that plant. I'll watch it to see what it does. I guess I think of Sage with rich Italian dishes and in the summer that's about the last thing on my mind <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I need something really cool to eat it with <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Whenever I think of sage my mind immediately turns to stuffing or pork. Here's a recipe for Pork with Apples and Sage:

1-1/2 lbs. boneless pork cutlets
3 T. flour
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 T. olive oil
2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 T. fresh sage, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sage cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly dredge pork in flour. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Fry the pork until golden on both sides. Layer the pork with apples, onion, garlic and sage in a heavy nonreactive ovenproof casserole. Pour the vinegar over the top and cover. Bake for 1 hour.