SAGE

Its indigenous of the Eastern Mediterranean zone (Greece, Yugoslavia, etc.); spontaneous of Italy, Southern France, Spain, Morocco. It grows in dry plains, slopes and hillsides of lime mountains, up to 100 m, steep bank, rocky soils, pasture, wasteland and underbrush lands lengthwise Spain and Portugal, but becomes scarce and eventually disappears toward the northern and western regions. It is cultivated in gardens along the Mediterranean basin. It grows where there is a limestone formation and easily adapts itself to poor cultivated or little productive land, like ditches, rocky slopes, usually in dry and sunny places. It tolerates mild and mild-warm weather, as well as freezing temperatures if they are not for long time. It also resists dry seasons. It blooms between May and July. Leaves harvest has to be done before blooming or when it barely begins, in case it’ll be used fresh or raw. If the plant will be used to obtain the essence, then the harvesting should be done during blooming. After the 1st year, it is possible to get two harvests, one at late spring, early summer and the other at the beginning of winter; however, the second one is poorer.

Part used

Indications