Organic Common Sage Herbal Tea, 20 g

Discover the organic common sage herbal tea from Herberry: dried leaves in a 20 g resealable kraft bag. Certified organic agriculture.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is one of the oldest and most respected aromatic and medicinal plants in the Mediterranean tradition. Its Latin name comes from the verb salvare (to save, to heal), testifying to the central place it held in European folk medicine. Its velvety leaves with a powerful, camphoraceous, and slightly balsamic fragrance have been used in both cooking and herbalism for centuries.

Botanical presentation

Salvia officinalis is a perennial subshrub of the Lamiaceae family, native to the northern Mediterranean rim (Balkans, Italy, Southern France). Its oval-lanceolate leaves, with a characteristic wrinkled and velvety surface, are grayish-green on top. The blue to purplish bilabiate flowers appear from May to July. The plant is widely grown in gardens throughout Europe as a culinary and ornamental plant.

The leaves contain an essential oil rich in thujone (alpha and beta), cineole, camphor, and borneol (compounds responsible for its characteristic aroma and neurotoxicity in high doses), as well as phenolic diterpenes (carnosic acid, carnosol), rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and tannins.

Aromatic and taste profile

Common sage infusion offers a slightly greenish to golden liquor. Its aroma is powerful and complex: camphoraceous, resinous, with balsamic notes and a slight astringency. On the palate, the flavor is strong and slightly bitter, with a marked aromatic persistence. It is a herbal tea with a very assertive character that should be dosed with care.

How to prepare the infusion

• Quantity: 1 small teaspoon of dried leaves (approx. 1 g) per cup; do not exceed due to thujone content
• Water: simmering, approx. 90°C
• Infusion: 5 to 8 minutes, covered
• Strain and enjoy lukewarm
• Frequency: 1 to 2 cups per day maximum; short-term use recommended

Composition

Precautions for use

• Formally contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women (thujone is abortifacient and passes into breast milk)
• Not recommended for people with epilepsy (thujone is a convulsant in high doses)
• Not recommended for children under 12 years of age
• Not recommended for people suffering from estrogen-dependent hormonal conditions without medical advice
• Do not use for long periods without medical advice (thujone accumulation possible)
• Do not exceed recommended doses
• Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet

FAQ

Why is common sage so strictly contraindicated during pregnancy?

Common sage contains thujone, a terpene compound that has emmenagogue properties (stimulating menstrual flow) and is potentially abortifacient at high doses. As a precaution, any form of common sage is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Culinary forms (herbes de Provence, fresh leaves in small quantities) generally remain tolerated, but the infusion is more concentrated.

What is the difference between common sage and clary sage?

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) and common sage (Salvia officinalis) are two distinct species with different phytochemical compositions. Clary sage is less rich in thujone and is sometimes used in aromatherapy for its estrogen-like effects. Their uses and precautions are not interchangeable.

Can Herberry common sage be used in cooking?

Yes, dried common sage leaves are an excellent condiment for meat dishes (veal, pork, liver), roasted vegetables, buttered pasta, and cheeses. Usual culinary quantities pose no risk to healthy individuals.

How should I store my bag of common sage?

Keep away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Consume preferably within 12 months of opening the resealable bag.

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