SALVIA OFFICINALIS: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, DISTRIBUTION, PROPERTIES - BIOLOGY - 2024

Salvia officinalis is a herbaceous, aromatic and melliferous species, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Commonly known as sage, Castile sage, common sage, fine sage, sacred herb, officinal sage or royal sage is a natural plant of the Mediterranean basin.

It is a short plant formed by semi-woody, straight and pubescent stems from which the oblong-lanceolate leaves of bluish-green hue sprout. The purplish, bluish to whitish flowers are grouped in terminal spikes that produce small nuts 2-3 mm long and reddish-brown in color.

Salvia officinalis. Source: Michał J

Its natural habitat is located in open, rocky spaces, slopes or dry savannas, from sea level to high mountain areas. It adapts to xerophilic environmental conditions in a warm climate, on sandy and dry soils of calcareous origin.

This species has a long tradition as a medicinal plant thanks to its antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-sweat, astringent, choleretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, hypoglycemic and toning effect. On the other hand, its flavoring capacity is widely used in gastronomy and liquor stores, as well as the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetology industries.

General characteristics

Appearance

Vivacious, rustic and perennial shrub, widely branched, reaching 30-90 cm in height, sometimes 150 cm. The erect and pubescent stem, with a polygonal outline, has a woody appearance at the base and herbaceous at the top.

The fusiform root with a woody, fibrous and brownish texture contributes to the support of the plant. The foliar area is made up of dense and compact foliage of irregular shape.

Leaves

The opposite leaves, hairy and petiolate, are oval or oblong in shape, occasionally lanceolate, with obvious veins and finely serrated margins. On the upper side it is turgid and has a grayish-green hue, on the underside it is rough and whitish in color.

flowers

The bilabiated flowers are grouped in terminal spikes of blue, violet or white color, they gather in whorls arranged in vertical inflorescences. Flowering begins from May to June, only on the two-year-old shoots, being visible until August.

Salvia officinalis flowers. Source: pixabay.com

Fruit

Once the fertilization of the flowers occurs, the dry and indehiscent fruit known as "tetraquenium" is produced. This small oval-shaped fruit is made up of four achenes or nuclei characteristic of the lamiaceae.

Chemical composition

The phytochemical analysis of the dry leaves reports a variable content of tannins and essential oils based on the geographical origin and harvest time. Tannins represent 3-7% of the total content, where the presence of apigenin, hispidulin and luteolin stands out.

Essential oils constitute 2.5%, of which 35-60% correspond to alpha and beta-thujone and 20% to the monoterpenes camphor and eucalyptus. Likewise, traces of the sesquiterpenes caryophyllene, humulene and viridiflorol have been determined.

Other constituents are menthol and thymol, as well as thujol b-D-glucosides. In addition, certain bitter substances of the diterpenic type.

Nutritional value per 100 g

- Energy: 310-315 kcal

- Carbohydrates: 60-65 g

- Sugars: 1.70-1.80 g

- Fibers: 40-41 g

- Fats: 12-13 g

- Proteins: 10-11 g

- Water: 7-8 g

- Retinol (vitamin A): 295 μg

- Thiamine (vitamin B ₁): 0.754 mg

- Riboflavin (vitamin B ₂): 0.336 mg

- Niacin (vitamin B ₃): 5,720 mg

- Pyridoxine (vitamin B ₆): 2,690 mg

- Vitamin C: 32.4 mg

- Vitamin E: 7.48 mg

- Vit. K: 1,714.5 μg

- Calcium: 1,652 mg

- Phosphorus: 91 mg

- Iron: 28.12 mg

- Magnesium: 428 mg

- Potassium: 1,070 mg

- Sodium: 11 mg

- Zinc: 4.70 mg

Salvia officinalis leaves. Source: Michał J

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Order: Lamiales

- Family: Lamiaceae

- Subfamily: Nepetoideae

- Tribe: Mentheae

- Genus: Salvia

- Species: Salvia officinalis L.

Subspecies

- Gallica subspecies (W. Lippert) Reales, D. Rivera & Obón, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 145: 365 (2004). It is located from Germany to the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

- Lavandulifolia subspecies (Vahl) Gams in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt. - Eur. 5 (4): 2482 (1927). It is located to the east and center of the Iberian Peninsula.

- Subspecies multiflora Gajic, Glasn. Prir. Muz. Beogradu, C 7: 49 1973. It is located on the Balkan Peninsula.

- Subspecies officinalis. It is located from the Italian peninsula to the Balkan peninsula.

- Subspecies oxyodon (Webb & Heldr.) Reales, D. Rivera & Obón, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 145: 365 2004. It is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula.

Etymology

- Salvia: the name of the genus comes from the Latin term "salvare" which means "heal" in allusion to the plant's curative properties.

- officinalis: the specific epithet derives from the Latin expression to designate a workshop or laboratory. In reference to the use of this species in the pharmaceutical, herbal, liquor or perfume industries.

Cultivars

- Alba: plant with white flowers.

- Berggarten: plant with elongated leaves.

- Icterin: plant with variegated leaves of yellow-green hues.

- Lavandulaefolia: plant with small leaves.

- Purpurascens: plant with purple leaves, it is considered the most vigorous cultivar of the species.

- Tricolor: plant with variegated leaves in white, yellow and green tones.

Cultivar tricolor of Salvia officinalis. Source: Kurt Stüber

Habitat and distribution

The Salvia officinalis species is native to the Mediterranean basin, although at present it has been introduced in various parts of the world. It is located on rocky terrain, dry grasslands with little productivity and low fertilization, from sea level to mountainous regions.

It grows on dry slopes, cliffs, crags, slopes, low mountains, gates or mountains with a certain elevation, facing the direct radiation of the sun. Likewise, it is common in open places such as plains, pastures, lawns, arid slopes, rocky slopes, fallows, moors, intervened lands or abandoned plains.

It grows in warm or temperate environments, although it is resistant to occasional frosts (down to -5 ºC), it does not support sudden variations in temperature. In addition, it is a xerophilic or thermophilic plant that withstands drought to a certain degree, if it lacks moisture it prolongs the plant dies.

It grows effectively in full sun exposure, although it does well in semi-shade with some direct radiation during the day. It requires porous and well-drained soils, which favor the circulation of rain or irrigation water, since it is susceptible to waterlogging.

It is distributed geographically through central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Asia Minor and certain regions of temperate climate in America. It is found wild or cultivated for local consumption or export in Albania, Germany, Croatia, Dalmatia, France, Hungary and Montenegro.

In Spain it is considered an autochthonous spice and is commercially cultivated to obtain an essential oil with export quality. The main cultivation areas are located in the arid plains of Castilla, Catalonia and the limestone mountains of Valencia.

Plant in full bloom. Source: Javier martin

Properties

Among the main components of sage are essential oils, tannins and certain bitter active principles. Among the constituents of essential oils, thujone stands out, a saturated bicyclic monoterpenic ketone that provides a characteristic smell and taste.

This analeptic and convulsive principle of action acts on the central nervous system, being the ingestion of extracts and tinctures in high doses can be toxic. The use of sage essential oils is not indicated for pregnant or lactating women and children under 10 years of age.

Applications

Sage has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb to treat cancer, reduce excessive perspiration, and inhibit the secretion of breast milk. Due to this drying effect, it is also used to reduce perspiration in women who sweat due to menopause.

In addition to medicinal uses, sage is grown as an ornamental or used as a condiment in gastronomy. In Italy it is a common ingredient in various typical recipes of the region and in Spain it is used to sweeten juices and refreshing drinks.

It is also used together with thyme and rosemary to preserve various types of food, such as meat, fish or cheese. Sage is an essential ingredient for the maceration of the distilled alcoholic beverage known as "Galician herb pomace".

Salvia officinalis seeds. Source: Kaly.joly

Culture

Spread

Sage propagation is done by seeds in spring after frosts are over, or by cuttings collected during the cool months. The material for propagation through seeds is obtained from ripe fruits collected directly from healthy and vigorous plants.

Sowing is done in polyethylene bags or pots using a loose, humid and low fertility universal substrate. The seeds (2-3) are arranged at the sowing point trying to cover with a thin layer of soil.

The pots are placed in partial shade, in greenhouse conditions with controlled humidity and temperature, as well as frequent watering. Maintaining the right conditions, the seeds begin the germination process 12-17 days after sowing.

Another effective method of obtaining new specimens is through selected cuttings from tender branches in early spring. This technique consists of cutting pieces of semi-woody stem of 15-20 cm or at least with four buds, with vigorous branches in healthy and productive plants.

The cuttings thus selected are impregnated at the base with a rooting hormone before placing them in pots on a suitable substrate. It is necessary to maintain the conditions of humidity and solar radiation so that the cuttings begin rooting after 20-25 days.

Illustration of Salvia officinalis. Source: Walther Otto Müller

Care

Sage requires full sun exposure for effective development, it can be placed indoors, but it requires ample light and protection from drafts.

Pot cultivation requires a loose substrate with good moisture retention, an average content of 30% perlite is recommended. In the open field, sage is an undemanding crop that grows on low fertility, stony and dry soils.

Regarding the humidity needs, planting in pots requires 1-2 waterings a week during the summer and one weekly the rest of the year. Commercial crops need frequent watering during the initial phase of development and in the second year the irrigation application is carried out only during very dry summers.

It is advisable to apply some type of organic fertilizer during the first year of establishment of the crop, from spring to autumn. Options include guano, worm castings, or composted plant waste.

References

1. Acosta de la Luz, LL, & Rodríguez Ferradá, CA (2006). Medicinal plants: bases for their sustainable production.
2. González Vázquez, JF (2009). Pharmaceutical interest of "Salvia officinalis" and "Euphrasia officinalis". Notebooks of Thomas, (1), 157-171.
3. Hernández-Agero, TO, Carretero Accame, ME & Villar del Fresno, AM (2002). Sage. Phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics. Professional Pharmacy, 16 (7), 60-64. Department of Pharmacology. Pharmacy faculty. UCM.
4. Medicinal Properties of Salvia (2019) Botany Online. Recovered at: botanical-online.com
5. Salvia officinalis. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Vogel, A. (2018) Encyclopedia of Plants. Salvia officinalis L. Recovered in: avogel.es