What is Texas Sage used for?
Its fine-textured foliage makes Texas sage a good hedge, accent plant, or foundation planting. It takes pruning well, if you wish, so you can also grow it in shrub borders or even with perennials and annuals. Because of its drought tolerance, Texas sage is often used in xeriscaping. Sage needs light, well-drained soil, which makes it a good container plant. A clay pot works well for sage because it dries out quickly.
Where is the best place to plant Texas sage?
Sun-worshipping and Drought-tolerant: This Texas Sage thrives in full sun and requires minimal irrigation once established. Deep watering during extended dry spells can further enhance its growth and flowering. Once established, the Texas Sage is extremely drought tolerant, requires very little supplemental water, and will bloom after a good rain storm. Don’t try to trick it into blooming by watering heavily–it won’t work. After a week or two, the blooms will fall off, but the silver gray-green leaves stay year round.Grow Texas sage in a spot with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day). This sun-loving plant will tolerate part shade (areas with morning shade and afternoon sun), but is more likely to grow lanky and bloom less.
What is so special about sage?
Sage is often mentioned as the herb of immortality, domestic virtue, health, and wisdom. Sage was a sacred ceremonial herb of the Romans. It has been cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes for many centuries in Europe. It is hardy in zones 4-10. The herb sage has a long history of use in food and medicine. In Mediterranean cultures, it has traditionally been used internally to treat excessive menstrual bleeding, increase fertility, aid memory, reduce symptoms of arthritis, and reduce breast engorgement during weaning.Things to watch out for That said, there is no evidence to show that thujone is toxic in humans. Drinking too much sage tea or consuming sage essential oils can have toxic effects. You should never consume essential oil of any kind, and limit yourself to 3-6 cups of sage tea per day to be safe.Pregnancy: Taking sage during pregnancy is likely unsafe because of the thujone found in some sage species. Thujone can bring on a menstrual period, which could cause a miscarriage. Breast-feeding: Taking sage while breast-feeding is possibly unsafe. The thujone in sage might reduce the supply of breast milk.
What does sage do to the brain?
Sage can help support your brain and memory in several ways. For one, it’s loaded with compounds that can act as antioxidants, which have been shown to buffer your brain’s defense system ( 19 , 20 ). It also appears to halt the breakdown of the chemical messenger acetylcholine (ACH), which has a role in memory. People commonly use sage for memory and thinking skills, high cholesterol, and symptoms of menopause. It is also used for pain after surgery, lung cancer, sore throat, sunburn, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.Sage may help improve symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats or hot flashes. Sage is available as a tea, essential oil, and oral supplement. Sage can have interactions with other medications, so it’s important to discuss your health regimens with a doctor.
What should not be planted next to sage?
SAGE: Use as a companion plant with broccoli, cauliflower, rosemary, cabbage, and carrots to deter cabbage moths, beetles, black flea beetles and carrot flies. Do not plant near cucumbers, onions or rue. Sage repels cabbage moths and black flea beetles. Sage repels the same insects as rosemary, especially snails, cabbage moths, beetles, black flea beetles, and carrot flies, as well as flea beetles, which prey on potatoes and sweet potatoes.SAGE: Use as a companion plant with broccoli, cauliflower, rosemary, cabbage, and carrots to deter cabbage moths, beetles, black flea beetles and carrot flies. Do not plant near cucumbers, onions or rue. Sage repels cabbage moths and black flea beetles.
When to avoid sage?
It may be unsafe to use sage during pregnancy because its component thujone may have harmful effects. That said, there is no evidence to show that thujone is toxic in humans. Drinking too much sage tea or consuming sage essential oils can have toxic effects. You should never consume essential oil of any kind, and limit yourself to 3-6 cups of sage tea per day to be safe.Side Effects of Sage Tea Sage tea is safe when consumed in appropriate quantities. Limit intake to three to six cups per day and you likely won’t experience any negative side effects. Keep in mind that teas may affect certain individuals differently.