Although the leaves may smell like those of culinary garden sage (Salvia officinalis), Russian sage is technically not a sage. The aromatic leaves emit a light herbal scent when crushed, and as noted above, are toxic if consumed.
Which sage is poisonous?
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.
Is Russian sage good for anything?
A perennial plant with purple flowers, Russian sage not only looks great in a garden, but it also has a variety of medicinal benefits. Steep sage leaves in hot water for 15-30 minutes to create a medicinal tea that can help relieve stomach pain and indigestion. Tea made from Russian sage can also help break a fever.
What part of Russian sage is edible?
However, according to the “Plants for a Future Database”, Russian sage is listed as edible, as the “small lavender flowers have a sweet flavour and can be eaten in salads or used as a garnish.” I have not tried the flowers but they sound they could be a fun addition to summer salads.
Which is better Russian sage or lavender?
But Russian sage can handle more water (and lavender thrives in poor soil) Lavender can’t stand much water. Russian sage, however, can grow in dry-to-medium soil. And while both plants can deal with less-than-ideal soil conditions, for lavender, the poorer the quality of the soil (even sand), the better.
Is Russian sage poisonous to dogs?
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia).
Purple and pretty, Russian Sage is a great fall plant, and considered nontoxic to pets.
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.
Are Russian sage invasive?
Though it isn’t a native plant, it is not invasive and will stay where you plant it for many years – as long as you give it the well-drained conditions it needs.
Does Russian sage repel mosquitoes?
Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away.
Does Russian sage attract bugs?
Russian Sage – This is an indispensable plant for the hot sunny border because it attracts beneficial bees but offers nothing to browsing bug pests. Even javelina find this bloomer distasteful.
Can I burn Russian sage?
7) Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
It is also one of my absolute favorite smudging herbs. Russian sage has a wonderful musky/minty smell, and once a dried smudge stick is lit, it burns until you either put it out or the smudge stick is used up.
Can Russian sage cause skin irritation?
Consulting with a trained herbalist or medical professional is recommended before ingesting this plant. Wearing gloves when you work with this plant is also recommended, as it may cause skin irritation in some people.
Why is it called Russian sage?
Russian sage produces small blue flowers on long spikes. The genus was named by the Russian botanist Karelin about 1840 after B. A. Perovski, the Turkestani governor of the Russian province of Orenburg – but the plant is not native to Russia or a sage (Salvia).
Does Russian sage attract bees?
Russian sage: Honey bees, small carpenter bees and leafcutting bees collect the nectar of this perennial garden plant. The nectar also attracts hummingbirds.
What does Russian sage smell like?
In addition to its blossoms, Russian sage has beautiful silver-green foliage. Leaf edges may have a serrated or wavy edge. All parts of Russian sage are quite fragrant when rubbed or crushed. Some people describe it as a sage-like smell, sometimes mixed with lavender scents as well.
Do you cut back Russian sage for winter?
In areas with mild winters, tackle pruning Russian sage after flowers fade and when winter settles in. You can give plants a hard prune at this point, cutting plants to 6 to 12 inches tall, if you don’t want to see stems all winter long. Otherwise, wait to do a hard prune in late winter or very early spring.
Is Russian sage poisonous to touch?
Commonsense Precautions. Russian sage is not considered poisonous because it would take great effort to eat enough of it to get sick. Still, a cautious approach is sensible. The sprawling, upright habit of Russian sage might be attractive to young children, perhaps as a place to play hide and seek.
Should you cut back Russian sage in the fall?
Is it best to cut Russian sage back in fall or spring? Wait until late winter or early spring to cut back Russian sage, butterfly bush and pest-free perennials. Research has found letting these plants stand for winter increases their hardiness.
Does Russian sage multiply?
‘Blue Spire’ Russian sage tends to grow more upright than the species with stems that reach 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Russian sage spreads by self-sowing if conditions are right and also by rhizomes. In some situations, gardeners report this perennial flower as being invasive.
What does burning sage in your house do?
Burning sage is is a powerful ritual
The ritual of sage burning has its roots in Native American tradition. Today, people burn sage and other holy herbs to cleanse a space or environment of negative energy, to generate wisdom and clarity, and to promote healing.
Can sage be harmful?
Cases of seizures associated with consumption of sage essential oil (which is high in thujone) have been reported in people. High-dose or long-term use of sage may not be safe. It may be unsafe to use sage during pregnancy because its constituent thujone may have harmful effects.