Sage: Magic & Medicine

Our relationship with this fragrant little shrub dates back aeons. Though its use is most notably linked to Native American traditions, it has in fact been used in both a medicinal and spiritual sense in all corners of the globe. Today, its use is growing evermore popular again, what with our increasing interest in new age practices and a rediscovered appreciation for the natural lore of indigenous cultures. With this article, I hope to inspire you to incorporate its magic into your everyday by exploring its prevalence in ancient healing methods and sacred ritual.

Medicine

Known by most as a delicious addition to any Mediterranean-style recipe, sage is a staple in your average Western kitchen. In ancient times, however, it was treasured most for its unrivalled healing powers. It was employed by healers to combat all manner of illnesses and was found in use over 4000 years ago to treat epidemic disease and plague. The Egyptians valued it, among other things, as a cure for infertility, while physicians of antiquity considered it invaluable in the treatment of almost anything. The scientific name for the sage family, salvia, is derived from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning 'to heal', indicative of its medicinal importance. It was so highly regarded that Charlemagne, a 9th century ruler of the Roman Empire, mandated its growth in farms and monasteries.

We’ve always known sage was special, but it is only with the birth of modern science that we’ve been able to identify exactly why this plant was so revered. It functions as a natural antibiotic, supporting the immune system to eradicate illnesses that may otherwise have been fatal or seriously debilitating. It is proven to be antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, diuretic… In plain English, it’s pretty much amazing for all sorts. It is most often used to support reproductive health, promote dental hygiene, maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels and combat memory loss in dementia patients. It has even been found to prevent and kill cancer cells!

It is easy to get a daily dose of sage in if you’re interested in supporting your health with this powerful plant. There are many ways you can take sage, but I think a traditional tea is the tastiest and easiest. Try out my recipe and maybe keep a diary to monitor its effects on your overall health.

Sage Tea Recipe

Ingredients

- A handful of sage leaves

- 2 tsps honey (Honey has its own list of medicinal benefits, which are maximised if you can find a local & organic honey. Adjust quantity to your taste.)

- The juice of half a lemon

- 1 pint of water

1. Bring your water to a boil, then add your lemon juice and sage leaves.

2. Allow the tea to infuse for at least 15 minutes, before taking the water off the boil.

3. Leave the water to cool a little before adding in the honey. Overheating honey can destroy the beneficial enzymes so wait until the tea is no longer boiling.

4. Strain out the sage and drink immediately or store to drink cold.

Magic & Spiritual Practice

When a plant is so often found in the medicine of an era, it is generally heaped in magical or spiritual tradition too. Its uses also tend to correspond with its medicinal purposes. For example, sage is used spiritually to cleanse or purify the body, which coincides with its antiseptic action. Rather than warding off bad bacteria though, sage is said to deter negative spirits and wash away harmful energies. Some Native American tribes incorporate the plant in smudging ceremonies, wherein a bundle of dried herbs, typically sage or a blend with sweetgrass and cedar, is burnt to invite healing and dispel negativity. Sometimes it is a person that requires the smudging, other times it is a sacred space or tool. The Celts used sage in a similar fashion, for purification rituals and reversing curses.

In Chinese traditions, the burning of sage functions to balance chi energy, while it’s seen to be a typical meditation aid within similar Eastern cultures. It calms and opens the mind to allow you to connect more fully with reality. The Romans thought it imbued the user with wisdom and a prolonged life. Some believe it actually opens up communication between our realm and that of spirit. For this reason, it has been used as an offering to deities or during devotional rituals in Hinduism and the pagan religions of ancient Europe. Its association with divinity or immortality is evident in Egyptian ritual too; they used sage to embalm their dead to assist the soul on its journey to the afterlife.

Whether you want to refresh the energy in your space, cultivate a peaceful mind for meditation or establish a connection with spirit, sage can enliven your spiritual practice. You can simply place a sprig of the herb in your sacred space, maybe burn its incense. You could create more elaborate rituals personal to your own needs or try the following exercise. Here we harness the plant’s ability to cleanse and declutter the mind, to facilitate a deeper awareness, while incorporating fire to intensify our focus.

The Sage Flame Meditation

You’ll need:

- 1 tealight

- Matches

- Dried sage sprigs

- A cast iron pot (any fireproof container will do)

1. Find a spot where you can sit with your equipment safely laid out.

2. Place the tealight inside the cast iron pot and lay it directly in front of you. Leave your sage sprigs ready beside you.

3. Take a meditative seat, either kneeling or cross legged, using any amount of cushions to ensure you will be comfortable for the next 15 minutes or so.

4. Light your candle. Straighten your spine, allow your hands to be heavy in your lap, then stare directly into the flame.

5. Count 20 natural breaths, following the sensations in your nostrils as you inhale and exhale, all the while observing the colours and movements at the very centre of the fire.

6. At the end of your count, take a deep breath as you turn your attention from the flame to the sage. Make a study of the plant, taking in the size, shape and patterns of its leaves, its stem. Hold it in your hands to gently explore its textures against your fingers. The aim here is to get to know the plant more intimately.

7. When you’re ready, set the sage alight and lay it alongside the tealight in your cast iron pot.

10. Transfix your gaze on the sage fire again. Try to remain unblinking for as long as you can, while still staring into the flame. When you can look no longer, close your eyes.

11. You’ll see the impression of the flame on the inside of your eyelids. Use all your concentration to hold onto this image until it fades into blackness. This exercise intensifies your awareness.

12. Keeping your eyes closed, focus now on the plant’s scent. Do you like the smell? What feelings does the aroma inspire in you? Do you feel energised or calm? Consider your reaction to it and notice the nature of your thoughts. Sit like this for the next few minutes, soaking in the energy of the plant.

13. When you’re ready to end, open your eyes. Bow your head or verbalise your gratitude to the plant, before waving out the candle.

Sage is undeniably a sacred plant, offering a wealth of benefits that extend beyond its culinary uses. From its medicinal properties to its magical connections and cleansing rituals, sage has earned its place as a revered herb in various traditions worldwide.

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