Sage Advice

I'm a sage woman. No, I don't mean I'm a wise woman (although I do have my moments, if I may say so myself). I mean that I often reach for Essential Oil of Sage (Salvia officinalis) when the going gets tough, whether that's a time of acute job stress or a day when I'm simply off balance. (Common Sage takes its name from the Latin root 'salvare' meaning 'to heal' or 'to save'. It was considered a sacred herb by the Romans who used it both medicinally and in cooking. I can see why: It's a tasty herb for poultry as well as a powerful essential oil.) Although I do blend Sage with Lavender, cousin Clary Sage, Bergamot, and Lemon for a terrific body tonic, I often simply apply the essential oil with a little jojoba carrier oil right onto my palms, breathing deeply to urge the grounding scent into my system as quickly as possible. Since Sage is known to boost a lagging metabolism and strengthen the nervous system, it's definitely an oil perfect for wise (ahem, 'older and experienced') women. Blended with Rosemary, it becomes a stimulant for a little "get-up-and-go" mid-day or when fatigue sets in. Which is just about ... now.

(Family: Leaves; Smell: Sharp, herbal; Viscosity: Watery. Properties: Stimulates lymphatic system; skin tonic; diuretic; said to assist with digestion and to combat menopausal symptoms, irregular periods, and anxiety; source of natural anti-oxidants. NOT to be used in pregnancy or by those suffering from epilepsy or high blood pressure.)