The sage plant (Salvia officinalis) has a long history and was highly valued as early as antiquity. The name “Salvia” comes from the Latin word salvare, meaning “to heal” or “to save.” The ancient Egyptians used sage to promote fertility and as a healing remedy.
In Roman and Greek medicine, sage was prized for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Dioscorides, a famous Greek physician of the 1st century, described sage as a remedy for wound healing and infections.
During the Middle Ages, sage was a key part of monastic medicine. Hildegard of Bingen recommended it for relieving digestive complaints, strengthening the immune system, and even treating gout. The plant was so valuable that it was grown widely in medieval monastery gardens.