Alice Eddé - Sage Distillation

Proverb: "With sage in your garden, you will never need a doctor".

Name and Etymology: Salvia and "Sage" are derived from the Latin salvare (to save), referring to the healing properties long attributed to the various Salvia species. Salvia Libanotica is found in Lebanon.

Family: Lamiaceae is a family of over 900 healing plants, including rosemary, lavender and oregano (Zaatar).

Composition: 30 - 45 components, eucalyptol is the most important one.

History: Descriptions of medicinal use of this plant goes back to the writings of Theophrastus (4th century BC), and Pliny the Elder.

Uses: Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oil.

The distilled essential oil is used widely in perfumes and as muscatel flavoring for vermouths, wines, and liqueurs.

It is also used in aromatherapy for relieving anxiety and fear, menstrual-related problems such as PMS and cramping, and helping with insomnia.

Distillation: Today, most common essential oils - such as lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil and eucalyptus - are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put into an alembic (distillation apparatus) over water.

As the water is heated, the steam passes through the plant material, vaporizing the volatile compounds. The vapors flow through a coil, where they condense back to liquid, which is then collected in the receiving vessel.

Most oils are distilled in a single process. This process was developed by the Arabs in the VIth century.

The recondensed water is referred to as a hydrosol, hydrolat, herbal distillate or plant water essence, which may be sold as another fragrant product.

Popular hydrosols include rose water, lavender water, lemon balm, clary sage and orange blossom water. The use of herbal distillates in cosmetics is increasing.

In traditional Tamil Siddha medicine, sage is used for respiratory ailments like asthma. Sage leaves are crushed in boiling water and the fumes are inhaled.
Rub the leaves on your teeth for a pearly smile, gargle the sage water (Hydrolat) for gum hygiene, and a sore throat. It will leave your mouth feeling fresh.
Spray Sage water on your face for a glowing skin.
Rub a few drops of the essential oil into your scalp for healthy hair.
Place a cataplasm of fresh leave on a wound for speedy healing.

Did you know?

Essential Oil is not really an oil but the liquid extraction or the essence of a plant.
The word alembic comes from the Arabic "al imbic".
In British and American cooking, sage is traditionally served as an accompaniment to roast turkey or chicken at Christmas or Thanksgiving Day.
Louis XIV drank a sage infusion daily. He reigned for 70 years!

Caution and warning:
Too much Sage Essential Oil used over a long period of time can be toxic.
Not to be used during pregnancy, when nursing, or in case of hypertension or epilepsy.