12.27.06
On Becoming a Tea Sage
posted by T Ching | 11 comments
When I first signed on at T Ching as Editor, I was so inspired by this post by Donna Fellman that I rhapsodized about it on my personal blog. Since then, a funny thing has happened. People who google “sage tea” are ending up at my blog.
This got me curious. I was previously unaware of such a thing as sage tea. What I did know, thanks to Sandy’s educational post on types of tea, is that a tea by any other name is not likely to actually be a tea. Although many people consider all drinks derived from plants/herbs to be tea, the fact is that all true tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant which was first discovered in China. All other so-called tea that is derived from herbs/plants is called a tisane and not a true tea.
While I knew that sage tea was not exactly legit in the world of tea connoisseurs, I was curious to know how my namesake was being prepared and consumed.
Using google, the fateful tool that brought me face to face with my tea destiny in the first place, I found this century-old recipe, an explanation of sage tea health benefits, and even a special Ramadan celebration recipe.
Having confirmed the existence and variety of sage tea, I have gained perhaps one small notch in the belt on my quest toward becoming a tea (or tisane) sage.
December 27th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
I’m glad to hear you are on your way to being a tea sage. If you keep up this pace, in 30 years you’ll know just enough to know how little you know.
I would just like to add a comment about your “explanation” link. Jethro Kloss’s book from the 1920’s was considered a “classic” of folk remedies for people interested in natural healing and although it provides a wealth of useful information, there are also many inaccuracies. His commentary that the Chinese drink sage tea to make them well and we drink Chinese tea that makes us sick is clearly uninformed. We obviously have a lot more recent access to scientific proof of the health benefits of Camellia sinensis, but the Chinese have been touting the health benefits of tea long before Jethro Kloss came around.
As far as sage tea; which one? There are 2 primary ones used medicinally and then another 3 or so used in cooking and as food and cosmetic additives. The first primary one is Salvia officinalis which grows in the U.S. but native to the Mediterranean. It is a wonderful medicinal herb that has many of the qualities as you read in that paragraph from Jethro Kloss (I keep having to correct myself because I keep typing Jethro Tull… boy am I dating myself), and is a cooling and drying herb that is particularly good for inflammation of the throat as a gargle and for drying up excess secretions. It has also been used for thousands of years by the Native Americans as part of their spiritual rituals. The other one is Salvia miltiorrhiza which is Chinese sage (also known as Dan Shen) and equally wonderful as a medicinal herb but used for different purposes. Although it too is cooling and drying, it is used primarily as a female reproductive herb and for liver problems. The others are Salvia sclarea; S. triloba and S. lavandulafolia and maybe some other lurking out there that I don’t know of.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:45 am
Wow, Sandy! An education in sage tea, and a reference to Jethro Tull (my mind also kept auto-correcting that name) all in one comment. I very much appreciate you setting the record straight for all of us!
December 28th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
I almost forgot one more medicinal sage, Salvia apiana (white sage). Having some similar properties to S. officinalis, white sage is particulary beneficial for men as they age, for use with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This sage in particular, is the sage that has been used by Native Americans for emotional and spiritual purification.
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
“I'm glad to hear you are on your way to being a tea sage. If you keep up this pace, in 30 years you'll know just enough to know how little you know.”
And don’t forget to forget everything that you’ve learned in order to become a sage.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Right you are Phyll. The sign of a true sage is a willingness to be open to new learnings and the realization that everyone has something to teach. I, personally, have already learned a lot from you. Thanks.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Sandy,
I have read that Sage can help with engorgement(while weaning) I have dalmation sage. That what was recommended by a local Health store. Is this medicinal or am I just drinking a cooking herb? Thanks for your time. I also kept thinking Jethro Tull.:)
January 8th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hi Michelle -
Dalmation sage is another name for the most common form of sage, also called garden sage or common sage. Its scientific name is Salvia officinalis. The answer to your question is, both. Sage is a wonderful medicinal herb as well as a common culinary spice.
The volatile oils in sage have a very powerful physiological action, with thujone being one of the most active of its medicinal constituents. Your information is correct in that it has been used for centuries to help women dry up their milk. It sounds like you are taking it as a tisane, which is a great way to use it. Since it can be very astringing, you have to be more careful when taking it as a tincture or using Sage oil.
Just in case you were dying to know, the astringent, antiinflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects of sage also make it great for a gargle for sore throats as well as for the treatment of colds and flus. It is also often used to help with excessive sweating. Many other uses, but no need to go into them here.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 am
Hello, I’m a Malaysian and I’ve been looking for sage tea in the local drugstore (it’s called pharmacy here) for sometime ago, but to no avail. May I know where can I get one here in Malaysia? The other way round, what is it called in chinese? or Malay? (perhaps I could try looking at the wet market) TQ!
April 19th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Dear Jtssian,
I usually buy my Sage tea at an organic store at the Curve called Justlife. There are also a few other outlets around KL.
Good luck!
Nadia
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
I did went searching at the Curve there, but I couldn’t find Justlife though….
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
OMG So sorry it’s at Ikano not the Curve. Pl check it out. You’ll definitely find it (if there’s stock).