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A tea made from the leaves of the Sagebrush became a standard eyewash for soldiers in the U.S. Army in the west, the practice having been learned from the Indians. Sage tea was used traditionally as a treatment for influenza, flatulence or as a tea for indigestion, taken warm while inhaling the fumes from a Sagebrush fire, diarrhea, menstrual disorders and swellings, morning sickness during pregnancy If one’s legs were ailing, weakening or shaking, the Indians bathed them with hot Sagebrush tea and then poulticed them with Sagebrush leaves. To steady and strengthen mind and nerves the Indians drank the tea.
A shrubby perennial. The strongly branched root, produces square, finely hairy sterns,and is woody at the base. Leaves are gray-green, textured, opposite, downy, entire or finely crenate. The floral leaves are ovate, ovate-lanceolate. Purple, blue or white two lipped flowers grow in whorls that form terminal racemes. It is commercially cultivated for a kitchen spice. Grows wild in southern Europe.
Fresh and dried leaves are used to flavor foods The flowers are tossed in salads. It is a antihydrotic, galactophygous, antispasmodic, and astringent. It helps reduce perspiration, and stops the flow of mother's milk. A tea is also used historically for nervous conditions, trembling, depression, diarrhea, a gargle for sore throat, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. Steep 1 teaspoon of the leaves in 1/2 cup water for 30 minutes. Take 1 cup a day, a tablespoon at a time. Extended or excessive use can cause symptoms of poisoning. The crushed fresh leaves are used to put on insect bites.
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