Some species of sage, such as common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain a chemical called thujone. Thujone can be poisonous if you get enough. This chemical can cause seizures and damage to the liver and nervous systems.
Which sage is not edible?
Ornamental salvias, like ‘May Night’, tricolor salvia and annual salvia, are not edible. They’re not poisonous, but they’re nothing you’d want to put in soup. The edible salvias are usually referred to as sage, like the Salvia officinalis you use to flavor roasted chicken and turkey.
Can you eat any sage?
Not all sage is edible. Some varieties are purely ornamental, but they tend to be wonderful for pollinator gardens. If you need to entice bees to come pollinate other plants, adding one of these inedible sages may do the trick.
How much sage is toxic?
Drinking too much sage tea or consuming sage essential oils can have toxic effects. You should never consume essential oil of any kind, and limit yourself to 3-6 cups of sage tea per day to be safe.
What kind of sage can you eat?
Garden or common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the most common type of sage used for cooking. You can also make tea from the leaves. It is very hardy and bounces back in the spring even after a severely cold winter. This particular sage has soft, silvery green leaves that can be used fresh or dried.
How do you identify common sage?
Common sage blooms in early summer. The camphor-scented, bluish-lavender to pink-lavender flowers are borne in whorls on short, upright flower spikes. Each flower has two lips. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and occasionally to hummingbirds.
Is it OK to eat raw sage leaves?
The herb is rarely, if ever, used raw, because its aroma and flavor is best released when cooked (plus the herb is a little bit too pungent to be consumed raw). However, you don’t want to temper its flavor too much, so add fresh sage at the end of cooking.
Is garden sage safe to eat?
Taken in high doses, the compound thujone contained in garden sage may cause convulsions. Since thujone is volatile, most of it dissipates when sage is cooked, so the culinary use of sage is safe.
What happens if you eat raw sage?
Sage is an herb with several promising health benefits. It’s high in antioxidants and may help support oral health, aid brain function and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This green spice is also easy to add to almost any savory dish. It can be enjoyed fresh, dried or as a tea.
Is White Sage toxic?
White sage contains a toxic compound known as thujone. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this compound increases your heart rate and causes mental confusion. It also leads to vomiting, restlessness and kidney complications. Hence, you should exercise caution when using white sage.
Is sage toxic to burn?
Sage Safety
As far as burning sage is concerned, it is generally safe to do so, even around children and pets. Just be aware of any possible respiratory conditions they might have. (They may not like the smell of burning sage.)
Is sage tea safe to drink?
Sage tea is very safe overall in normal amounts, but if you have any concerns, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider. Sage tea contains thujone, which can be toxic in high doses. While you should not drink large amounts of this tea for extended periods, drinking a few mugs per day is likely safe.
How do I identify garden sage?
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
The 2 to 3-inch long leaves are thick, opposite, oblong, and pointed. The stems are semi-woody and square. Color varies by cultivar, from grayish green, to variegated green and yellow, or green with purple and white. Spikes of purple flowers are produced on mature plants.
What common sage is used for cooking?
The most common sage used in cooking is garden or common sage (Salvia officinalis). The leaves can also be used to brew tea. It is incredibly hardy, and even after a harsh winter, it recovers in the spring. The leaves of this sage are delicate, silvery green, and can be utilized fresh or dried.
Is white sage the same as garden sage?
The mature leaves of a white sage plant are smooth and white, while the leaves of garden sage are gray or gray/green. Also white sage is slightly larger, growing 4 to 5 feet tall compared to garden sage’s 2 feet height max.
Can you burn any kind of sage?
What Type of Sage Do You Burn? Sage comes in several varieties. Healers and herbalists typically use white sage, also known as California or bee sage, for burning. Common sage, lavender sage, blue sage, black sage, and other types each have their own unique qualities, Yeager says.
Can you use regular sage for smudging?
“The type of sage you want to buy is called ‘California White Sage’ or ‘White Sage Smudge Stick. ‘ Do not use the regular old sage in your kitchen. You want to buy high-quality, ethically cultivated sage. Shamans Market or Taos Herb are both great places to shop.
Can I use garden sage for smudging?
Garden or common sage will do the trick, too. Other smudging plants to use include cedar, sweetgrass, and sagebrush. Various herbs and wildflowers make as wonderful additions to your smudge stick. Resinous herbs you may have laying around that you can use include thyme, yarrow, lavender, rosemary, and pine.
Are all sage flowers edible?
About Sage Flowers
Sage flowers are beautiful, deliciously scented, and absolutely edible!
Can you eat purple sage?
As a culinary herb, Purple Sage is one of the most flavorful sages and can be interchanged with regular garden sage. Sage herb plants can be used in all recipes calling for the delicious flavor of sage – stuffing, sausages, soups and stews.
Is white sage edible?
White sage can be used in small amounts for cooking but should not be confused with recipes for sage or culinary sage (the normal sage patch). If consumed in large amounts or for long periods of time, white sage can be unsafe, so please do your own research on how you would like to use your white sage.