Sage Leaves

Folia Salviae

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Sage — Sage

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

Used in many ways in Hildegard's herbal lore: associated with the bladder and urinary tract, with elimination and — as an accompaniment — with well-being during infections.

Ingredients

Sage leaves, water or wine.

Preparation

For bladder and urinary complaints: boil 1 tbsp of sage leaves with 250 ml of water for 1 minute and strain. For elimination: 1 tbsp of sage leaves, fresh, dried or powdered, into food or on bread. For nausea: boil 1 tbsp of sage leaves with 250 ml of wine and 50 ml of water for 1 minute, add 1 tbsp of butter and filter. For feverish infections: boil 1 tbsp of sage leaves with 250 ml of wine for 1 minute and filter.

Note ⁴

Hildegard expressly recommends boiling rather than a simple infusion, so that the steam carries off part of the thujone. Tradition records moderate use: larger amounts — more than about 15 g of leaves or 15 drops of sage oil a day — are not advisable because of the thujone, and sage tea is not suited to being drunk daily over long periods.

Botanical background

Sage is credited with cleansing, antimicrobial properties and has traditionally been used to carry off metabolic and putrefactive substances. Sage (Salvia officinalis) comes from the Mediterranean; the leaves of this evergreen member of the mint family are gathered before it flowers.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 240.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 111.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-63 (Salbei).
Heepen, Günther H.: Das Heilwissen der Hildegard von Bingen. Gräfe und Unzer Verlag 2015. S. 48.
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 268.

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More preparations using Sage

Sage Sage Cream

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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