medicinal herbs
Greek Sage
Salvia fruticosa

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Greek Sage

Latin name: Salvia fruticosa

Synonyms: Salvia triloba

Family: Labiatae

Medicinal use of Greek Sage:

The leaves are antihydrotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, depurative, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, tonic and vasodilator. They are used internally in the treatment of digestive and respiratory complaints, menstrual problems, infertility, nervous tension and depression. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women. The leaves can be harvested as required and used fresh, or they can be harvested before the flowers open and dried or distilled for their essential oil.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Dry rocky hillsides.

Edible parts of Greek Sage:

The leaves are used as a spice or as an adulterant of sage (S. officinalis). Somewhat inferior in quality to sage but it is easier to grow indoors. The leaves make up 50 - 95% of commercially dried sage leaves. A fragrant tea, called "fascomiglia" is made by infusing the leaves.

Other uses of the herb:

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used to adulterate spike lavender oil (obtained from Lavandula latifolia).

Propagation of Greek Sage:

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.

Cultivation of the herb:

Dry rocky hillsides.

Known hazards of Salvia fruticosa:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.