Our wild Cretan sage is hand picked from the Cretan mountains during the late Spring and early Summer and then dried in the shade. Greece has more than 20 varieties of Sage. The two found in Crete are the trilobed Sage ((Salvia fruticosa - used as a tea and in cooking) and the apple sage ((Salvia pomifera - so called because it forms apple like swellings in parts of the stem in response to the stings from certain types of wasps!) - used both as a tea and in cooking but also as an insect repellant for stored foods.
Sage is closely intertwined with the ancient culture of Crete. Ancient Greek writers Dioscorides, Aetius, Hippocrates, and Galen all reported on its use in healing. Scientific research confirms that Sage does indeed have numerous important health benefits due to its antibacterial antioxidant, anti-diabetic properties. It may be beneficial in prevention and treatment of infllamation, obesity, diabetes, depression, neurodegenerative disease (dementia), heart disease and cancer; it is recognised as a natural treatment for menopausal symptoms . Traditionall in Greece - and in many other places in the world where it grows - sage tea is used for indigestion and inflammation of the mouth and throat, the relief of excessive sweating, and inflammation of the skin. Older Cretans will still be seen chewing on a leaf of sage for oral hygiene. Burning dried sage leaves is traditionally used to purify the air.
Sage tea: made by placing 2-3 leaves into a cup of boiled water, and adding honey to taste. Caffeine free!
Cooking with Sage: In Greek cuisine, sage is used to flavour chicken, and in marinades for pork and beef, and in sausages. A famous recipe is pork with sage and honey.
As with any herbal medicinal agent, it is advisable to use sage in moderation as if taken in excess it can have stimulant effects (it contains Thujone).
