Sage

Once you start exploring herbs you wish you had started growing and eating them sooner. Enter Sage, Salvia officinalis.

This perennial evergreen’s list of attributes is impressive, culinary, medicinal or other. It’s a member of the mint family. (Lamiaceae)

It makes a good addition to your garden as an ‘excellent attractant and nectar source’ and is hardy unless planted alongside Rosemary; the two don’t get along well.

It’s list of medicinal uses includes:

• Contains oestrogen and combats menopausal hot flushes

• Improves memory

• Soothes coughs, colds, rheumatism, and insect bites

• Is an affective disinfectant and antifungal agent

• Whitens teeth and makes a good mouthwash

• Makes a cleansing eye bath

• Can combat diarrhoea

It can easily be added to your diet in food or as Sage tea.