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Mint family (Lamiaceae)NE · Chưa xếp hạng

Common sage

Salvia officinalis L.

Also known asCommon sage, garden sage, sage

Salvia officinalis (common sage), also called garden sage, is an evergreen mint-family shrub 30–70 cm tall; its grey-green lance-shaped hairy leaves and spikes of purple flowers make it a widely grown culinary herb and medicinal plant.

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Oct 13, 2026
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Overview

Salvia officinalis, also called garden sage or common sage, is a small **evergreen** shrub of the mint family (Lamiaceae), genus Salvia, 30–70 cm tall with a woody base and softly hairy young shoots. Its **leaves are opposite**, lanceolate to oblong, **grey-green**, **finely hairy** and strongly **aromatic**. The **two-lipped flowers** are purple, blue or pale pink, borne in **spikes at the tips**; each flower has a two-lipped corolla and the characteristic stamens of the genus Salvia. The **fruit** consists of small dark-brown **nutlets**, each with one seed. The species is native to the **Mediterranean** region and is grown worldwide.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026

In Vietnam, Salvia officinalis is grown as a **culinary herb** in home gardens and as a medicinal plant. It prefers **full sun** and dry, well-drained soil and is fairly **drought-tolerant**. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavour European dishes, brew tea and as **folk medicine** (antiseptic, sore throat, toothache). Sage essential oil is also used in cosmetics and mouthwash. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026

Life cycle

From seed to product

Seed & seedling

Small **seeds** germinate in warm soil; **seedlings** grow slowly, are finely hairy and already lightly aromatic.

Growth & leaves

The plant forms a bush of many **grey-green hairy leaves**, opposite and strongly **aromatic** when rubbed.

Flowering

**Purple two-lipped flowers** form terminal spikes in late spring–summer, attracting bees and bumblebees.

Fruiting & seed

After flowering, small dark-brown **nutlets** form, containing the seeds for the next generation.

Distribution & origin

Share of recorded occurrences by region
  • Mediterranean (native)30%
  • Europe (cultivated)25%
  • North America (cultivated)20%
  • Asia (cultivated)15%
  • Elsewhere (cultivated)10%

Chemical composition

Relative content in agarwood resin
  • Essential oil (thujone)Main component giving the characteristic aroma25%
  • Cineole (eucalyptol)Helps soothe the airways and acts as an antiseptic20%
  • Camphor & borneolGive a cooling sensation and aroma15%
  • Rosmarinic acidAntioxidant and anti-inflammatory15%
  • FlavonoidsAntioxidant, present in leaves15%
  • TanninsAstringent taste, supports antisepsis10%

Uses

  • Culinary: the **aromatic** leaves are used to flavour meats, stuffing, sauces and dressings in European cooking.
  • Tea & drinks: dried leaves are brewed as **sage tea** to freshen the mouth and aid digestion.
  • Folk medicine: used to **disinfect, treat sore throat and toothache** and soothe wounds thanks to its essential oil.
  • Essential oil & cosmetics: sage oil is used in mouthwash, soap and skincare products.
  • Landscaping: grown in herb borders, pots and as a **bee-friendly plant** in gardens.

Properties

Morphology
Low shrub; **grey-green hairy leaves**; **purple two-lipped flowers**
Aroma & taste
Strong aroma, slightly bitter and astringent taste
Ecology
Drought- and sun-tolerant, suited to dry regions
Essential oil
Leaf-rich essential oil used in medicine and cosmetics

Habitat & conservation

Salvia officinalis prefers **full sun** and a warm, dry climate; it is drought-tolerant but **dislikes waterlogging**, needing fast-draining, often calcareous soil. Native to the **Mediterranean** (southern Europe, North Africa, western Asia), it is now grown worldwide in herb gardens, pots and medicinal farms.

Conservation

Salvia officinalis is not threatened; it is a widely grown culinary and medicinal herb. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE). Family Lamiaceae, genus Salvia. Value: flavouring, medicine, essential oil and nectar for bees.

References

  1. 1POWO — Salvia officinalis L. — Plants of the World Online (Kew), 2026
  2. 2GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Salvia officinalis L. (key 2927004) — GBIF, 2026
  3. 3Wikipedia EN — Salvia officinalis — Wikipedia EN, 2026
  4. 4Wikipedia VI — Xô thơm — Wikipedia VI, 2026
  5. 5Wikipedia ZH — 藥用鼠尾草 — Wikipedia ZH, 2026
  6. 6Ảnh: Common Sage; Bumblebee on common sage; Growing leaves of garden sage; Foglia di salvia — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
  7. 7Ảnh: Salvia officinalis seedling (1572); Salvia officinalis seeds (2007-08-11 02) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
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