SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Magical and Medicinal Uses of Sage

Magical and Medicianal uses of Sage. Includes FREE BOS page!

Folk Names: Garden Sage, Red Sage, Sawge
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Powers: Immortality, Longevity, Protection, Purification, Wisdom, Wishes
Magical Uses and History: Sage takes its name from the Latin word salvare which means "to save" or "to heal." This is a very fitting name due to its healing properties. The Ancient Greeks and Romans ate sage to improve the mind and even used it to clean their teeth. As such, sage can be used to promote wisdom and increase memory. The Romans also believed eating sage would protect pregnant women, increase fertility, and extend life. Like the Romans, the Egyptians also believed sage increased fertility, and women would drink sage juice before lying with their husbands to ensure conception. Sage can be used in much the same way today, by hanging in the marital bedroom to promote fertility, worn, carried, or eaten by a woman to increase fertility and promote a healthy pregnancy, or used in other fertility and pregnancy rituals and spells.

Due to its natural antimicrobial properties and potent scent, sage was often used to help cure meat, as well as mask the scent and taste of rancid meat. For this same reason, sage was ultimately used to treat a number of ailments, including sore throat, memory loss, fever, gout, and even the plague, hence its name "to heal." This eventually turned into sage being associated with immortality. Two old English proverbs and charms document this idea: "He who would life for aye, Must eat sage in May." and "Why should a man die who has sage in his garden?" Today sage can be used in spells pertaining to healing and overall health, as well as to promote immortality and longevity.

Sage is also a powerful protector., which is its most common use today. Sage is often burned in homes, a custom that is heavily influenced by Native American smudging, to dispel negativity and cleanse rooms and objects. While smudging and the use of white sage, which is endangered in the wild, is a closed practice, other species of sage work just as well, and can be used in smoke-cleansing rituals. Not only will the sage clear a space, but it is also believed to bring general protection, making it the go-to for most practitioners. However, be wary if you wish to grow sage in your garden. It is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden and a stranger (or someone not living in the home) should be found to plant it for you. Furthermore, a full bed of sage is bad luck so make sure the plot is home to other plants as well.

Sage can be used in a number of spells including:
     Protection Magic
     Healing Spells
     Fertility Spells
     Purification
     Attract Wisdom
     Immortality Magic

Medicinal Uses: The leaves of red sage age are often used to aid inflammation of the mouth, throat, and tonsils as its volatile oils are soothing to the mucous membranes. It can be used internally as a mouthwash to treat gingivitis, inflamed tongue (glossitis), and other mouth inflammations including mouth ulcers. It can also be gargled to treat laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Furthermore, it reduces sweating when taking internally. Externally it is used to treat wounds. Do not take sage if you are pregnant or wishing to breastfeed. When taken internally, it can reduce breast milk production and stimulate the muscles of the uterus, which is interesting considering its historical association with fertility and pregnancy.

Preparation and Dosage: The leaves should be collected shortly before or just at the beginning of flowering (May or June). Leaves can then be dried, but not above 95°F. Sage can be taken internally as either an infusion, tincture, or gargle. To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of leaves and let infuse for 10 minutes. Drink this solution up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 2-4 milliliters up to three times a day. To make a gargle put 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in 1 pint of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Gargle deeply with the hot deep for 5-10 minutes several times a day. Externally use Sage in a compress to treat open wounds.


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