Herb: Californian Black Sage


Latin name: Salvia mellifera


Family: Labiatae



Medicinal use of Californian Black Sage:

The green leaves are cardiac and carminative. An infusion has been used in the treatment of heart complaints. They can be chewed in the treatment of gas pains. A poultice of the heated leaves can be applied to the ear in the treatment of ear pains, or to the neck in the treatment of sore throats. A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of chronic bronchial coughs. The decoction has also been used as a bath in the treatment of paralysis.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Shrub

Height:
2 m
(6 1/2 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities.

Edible parts of Californian Black Sage:

The aromatic leaves can be brewed into a tea. The leaves and stems can be used as a food flavouring. The seeds can be dried then ground into a powder and used as a gruel.

Propagation of the herb:

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 Californian Black Sage:

Found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities.

Known hazards of Salvia mellifera:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.