Welcome to my ‘green’ medicine cabinet. Aside from a deep interest in essential oils, one of my greatest passions is my beloved herb garden. With the growing interest in sustainable living more people are focusing on the gifts that mother nature has to offer. Over the coming months, I will introduce some common herbs that can easily be grown in any garden and discuss their uses.Wise men and women who knew the land and understood nature and its powers have practiced herbal lore for centuries. All herbs have both medicinal and magical properties. In fact, in ancient times herbs were used primarily for medicinal and magical purposes rather than for their culinary attributes.
I have my own extensive herb garden and use it for a range of different purposes, including cooking. Not only do herbs taste great, but their healing powers can be used and tapped into for tinctures, rituals and cleansing. Apart from anything else, they smell wonderful when you brush past them in the garden!
The first herb I would like to introduce is Sage. I have Sage growing in a few different spots in the garden as it’s so versatile and one of my favourite herbs. I use it to make my own smudge sticks (more on that later), to consecrate sacred spaces and to cleanse my Tarot cards.
Sage
Gender – Masculine
Planet - Jupiter or Venus
Element - Air
Culinary Uses
Sage works best with meats, particularly poultry. It can also be used in stuffings, with potatoes, cheeses and tomato sauces. Complementary flavourings include onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf and rosemary. Use sparingly as it has quite a strong flavour. Fresh sage has a milder flavour than dried, 1 tablespoon of fresh sage = 1 teaspoon dried.
Herbal Lore
Considered a ‘cure all’ Sage has a long history of use as a herb for healing. Sage is often used as a remedy for respiratory infections, congestion, coughs and sore throats. It is known to be an appetite stimulant, to aid indigestion and is said to have a beneficial effect on the liver. It is also given for fever, night sweats and urinary problems. Can be used as a compress on cuts and wounds or as a tea for gargling.
Magical Uses
Sage is commonly used to purify a sacred space often in the form of a smudge stick. It can also be used in rituals, as protection and to cleanse and purify an altar or magical tools. It is associated with protection, wishes and prosperity. It is said that if you want to make your dreams come true, put Sage leaves under your pillow.
Mr G enjoying the herb garden.
Cats love herbs too!
