Sage
The genus Salvia brings to 700 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs, spread across the green ball in our country there are about 75 species of sage, medical significance have wild species - clary sage, and the Ethiopian and cultivated species - sage, medicinal, native to Southern Europe. < br>clary sage grows in the southern regions of European part of the Pasha of the country in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, the Black Sea. Usually grows on fallow lands, arable lands, wastelands, often forms large thickets. Widely cultivated in the Crimea, Moldova and Central Asia. This is a perennial plant of the family Yasnotkovyh, with large leaves and flowers of pink, white, lilac color. In the inflorescences and leaves contain essential oils, aromatic resin acid. Oil is widely used in the confectionery industry for flavoring products, in perfumery.
Plant is used as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent. From distant waters remaining from the isolation of essential oils, medicated bath is prepared for patients with radiculitis, arthritis, skin diseases.
On dry slopes and riverbeds in the Caucasus (as a weed), Central Asia and the steppes of the Dnieper growing sage Ethiopia; contains essential oil, used as in other species of sage.
Sage was well-known physicians of antiquity: Hippocrates, Dee oskorid, Pliny and others considered sage a sacred herb and the most useful drug, especially for infertility in women. In Egypt, after the outbreak forced women to eat sage, "in order to multiply faster than the human race."
used leaves of sage and cosmetic purposes to treat wounds and ulcers, inflammation of gums and even hair coloring. Modern cosmetology are widely used sage leaves. Infusion of leaves is used as an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant: in the form of lotions are used to treat acne, seborrheic dermatitis. In the form of baths and bathing - in the treatment of pustular skin diseases, to rinse with inflammation of the gums.
With cosmetic purposes is used and abroad. Essential oils, extracts from the leaves of Salvia officinalis, and Clary introduced in cosmetics, shampoos and perfumes, using both their aromatic and antibacterial properties.
Cultivation. The main method of propagation of clary sage - seeds. The best sowing date - podzimny, in late October (the seeds could not germinate before frost). In the first year forms the outlet bottom leaves and fruits. Seedlings easily tolerate frost. Sites for the sage should take on a well sunlit places. For soil undemanding. Responsive to fertilizer. Cleaning the leaves and inflorescences held during flowering or early fruiting. Need to bear in mind that drying at a temperature no higher than 35-40 œ C to avoid volatilization of essential oil.