What is Sage? If Learning How to Cook With Spices Make Sage Sausage Recipe

What is sage? As a versatile plant used for both culinary and medicinal purposes, sage is a perennial shrub native to Europe and the Mediterranean region which has leaves, roots and flowers that are used in cooking as a flavorful herb as well as healing potions. Sage grows naturally in just about any place in the world and is also widely cultivated in herb gardens or in outdoors vegetable gardens.

Seeds should be planted in clay loam that is well-drained and full of nitrogen, preferably in bright sunshine, although sage can withstand a bit of shade now and then. Overwatering the sage shrub will impede its growth and deteriorate the plant's roots, so watering should only be done when the loam is dry. Around three weeks after planting sage seeds, sprouts will begin to break through the topsoil and should be thinned to no less than two feet apart.

What is Sage Used for in Cooking?

Sage has a unique flavor and aroma that can be used in just about any dish but needs to be used carefully. Sage is often sprinkled on chicken, soups, vegetables and stews to give the dish a hearty, zesty flavor. Because it is such a potent herb, it should be sparingly added to food since it can easily overwhelm the original taste of the food.

When integrating sage with a food, rub a small amount of dried sage leaves between your fingertips in order to crush them before sprinkling them on foods. Sage can also be mixed with other herbs such as bay leaf, thyme and oregano to create a less powerful taste. One tip to follow when cooking with sage is to remember to add sage early in the cooking process for a quieter flavor, or put it in the dish during the last several minutes of cooking for a more robust taste.

Recipe Using Sage

Turkey Loaf

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil


• 1/2 cup minced celery


• 1/2 cup minced onion


• 1/4 cup minced bell pepper


• 1 pound ground turkey


• 1 cup oats


• 1/2 cup shredded carrot


• 1/2 cup thinly sliced spinach leaves


• 1 egg


• 3/4 teaspoon ground sage


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper


• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the onion, bell pepper and celery. Sauté these ingredients until they are soft. Mix the rest of the ingredients with vegetables and shape into a loaf. Place the loaf on a greased cookie sheet and bake for around 35 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit.

What is Sage Medicine?

Sage has been used to cure a wide-ranging assortment of illnesses for centuries. Some common ailments that can be relieved by using sage are:

• insect bites - rub sage leaves on the irritated area


• hot sage tea - for sore throats, congestion and tonsillitis add one cup boiling water to two teaspoons dried sage leaves


• psoriasis, eczema, poison ivy - chew some sage leaves and use the mixture as a poultice


• canker sores


• alleviates symptoms of menopause - hot flashes, anxiety and insomnia


• boosts immune system response to infections


• colic, nausea and indigestion

What is Sage Oil?

Sage oil is what contributes to sage's antiseptic and digestion aiding qualities, while a chemical called thujone provides much of its curative properties. In addition, sage actually possesses estrogenic elements that may reinforce its ability to reduce menopausal symptoms. Rosmarinic acid has also been discovered in sage which is an anti-inflammatory component that lessens the pain of muscle spasms.

Knowing what is sage and the useful abilities it contains to beneficially affect both food and health issues can be of help when you need to make a special dish or are suffering from a health problem.

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