Well, to tell the truth the claim made in my title is somewhat exaggerated!

The ancient Greeks believed that sage could cure all ailments and that if the herb was grown in the garden a family would never need to consult a doctor.

Folk tradition in some parts of the Eastern Mediterranean still holds this to be true today.

The sage bush (Salvia Officinalis) has flat, greyis/white leaves and grows on dry Mediterranean soils. You will find it in almost all Greek gardens.

Sage is an excellent tonic and combats tiredness, helps recovery from illness and aids digestion. It is particularly good for anyone who suffers from night sweats as it helps to balance the endocrine system. It also stimulates oestrogen production so it is useful in the treatment of oestrogen deficiency, especially during the menopause.

This versatile herb can also be used to soothe sore throats, sinus trouble and asthma.


CAUTION:
+++++++

Women who produce a lot of oestrogen should not use sage on a regular basis. It could actually make their condition worse.


COOKING:
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Sage is an excellent seasoning for vegetables, including potatoes and tomatoes. It also blends well with white meats. (You don't have to keep it just to use when stuffing turkeys and chickens.)


MEDICINE:
+++++++++

Put 3 tablespoons of dried sage into a litre of boiling water and let it stand for at least 15 minutes before filtering. Drink no more than three cups per day to help coughs, sore throats and sinus trouble.


TONIC:
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Pour one litre of boiling hot wine over 80 grams of dried sage. Leave for three days and strain. Two or three tablespoons after meals helps digestion and provides a stimulating tonic for the body. (The Greeks recommend this as a treatment for diabetes but I would suggest that if you want to try it, you consult a doctor or dietician first. Everyone is
different!)


VERDICT:
++++++++


This is a cheap and versatile herb. It is readily available in UK. Most people have used sage in stuffing, or, at least, eaten it that way but it has many other uses. The tonic wine is actually quite good. Try some for yourself and you might be pleasantly suprised!