Sage

a member of the mint family. Sage is a perennial herb with square stems, opposite aromatic woolly leaves, and two-lipped flowers. There are 650 allied species. Several species are cultivated for ornament. Old-fashioned sage is raised for seasoning and medicine. Sage leaves rank with catnip, pennyroyal, and boneset in the list of household remedies. Market gardeners raise enormous quantities, cutting each plant twice a year. Sage is used chiefly for seasoning sausage, cheese, soups, stews, and dressing. The flavor is due to a volatile oil. The common sage is native to southern Europe. The name has reference to a supposed effect on the mind. The use of sage was reputed to strengthen the memory and to make people wise. There is an old proverb, "The wife rules where sage grows." See Mint; Catnip