Salvia officinalis

Salvia officinalis or Sage

Sage is a plant that teaches us to 'access our inner wisdom.' Salvia derives from salvare which means 'to save' or 'to cure' in Latin. Sage has been used historically for thousands of years as a medicinal herb and culinary delight. During medieval times, Sage was revered as a 'cure-all.'

Spiritual Uses
It has been said that eating Sage in May will lead to a longer life. Carry Sage with you to 'encourage wisdom' and to 'connect with intuition.'

Cleanse your space with Sage or use to raise the spiritual vibration. Sage is also helpful during mediation to help you see into the future; encourage success and abundance in your life by growing Sage in your windowsill.

Medicinal Uses
Sage has a history of being used in a mouthwash for irritated or bleeding gums as well as in a gargle for a sore throat; combine sage infusion or tea with a small amount of cidar vinegar.

Use fresh leaves in a pinch for first aid; rub onto insect bites or stings.

Sage leaves can be infused; drink as a calming or cleansing tonic. Sage is also effective in a tincture as a digestive tonic or to relieve diarrhea.

Sage is also used by mothers to slow or cease milk production when weaning their child from breastfeeding or during cases of mastitis or infection of the breast.

Rosemary Gladstar advises drinking several cups of Sage tea daily to relieve hot flashes for menopausal women; use 1 tablespoon of Sage per cup of water. It is believed that Sage is effective as a hormonal stimulant due to its estrogenic activity. Sage is useful as a remedy for scanty or irregular menstruation.

Pertinent Information about Sage:
Sage is a member of the Mint family and her leaves are harvested in the Summer. Grow Sage in your garden in full sun with moderate water as this plant does not like very moist soil. As Sage has properties that may potentially stimulate muscles of the uterus, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Sage has antiseptic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and astringent actions.


Recommended Reading and Sources:
'Herbal Healing for Women' by Rosemary Gladstar
'The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants' by Susan Griegg
'The New Age Herbalist' by Richard Mabey
'Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine' by Andrew Chevallier

Ca+

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. . . a few words on calcium supplementation . . .

As my journey continues in the Vitamins department at Vitamin Cottage, I have become concerned with the growing number of people who are being told to take 1200 mg of calcium for their bone health as opposed to eating it. This can be dangerous without having the facts.

It is known that an excess of calcium intake of around 2,000 mg can affect absorption of other minerals (February 2000 edition of Nutrition Science News). Most calcium supplements that are available are made of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Taking calcium in these forms is comparable to chewing up some limestone rock and assuming your body knows how to utilize it. In fact, only 24% of calcium citrate is absorbed by your small intestine and it is estimated that only 10% is utilized on a cellular level for your benefit (assuming that your ability to break down what you consume and absorb nutrients into your bloodstream for distribution to your tissues is operating at maximum). Out of the 1200 mg originally in your calcium citrate tablet, 120 mg at best will reach your cells; in addition, as limestone is not a natural food source your body will most likely not be able to recognize it. Researchers are now suggesting that taking large amounts of calcium carbonates and citrates over time will contribute greatly to your risk of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries as they become calcified.

If a doctor is asking you to take in 1200 mg of calcium for your bone health, at least 500-700 mg should be from healthy dietary sources. Cruciferous or leafy green veggies such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens and broccoli; sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse; nuts and seeds such as almonds, brazil nuts and sesame seeds; apricots, yogurt and tofu are all good sources of calcium.

Additionally, other nutrients are required in order for your body to utilize calcium; these nutrients are sometimes referred to as 'nutrient chaperones.' Zinc, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Vitamin A are just a few nutrients that assist your body in using calcium and with building strong bones. Mother nature has provided us with these nutrients in proportion in her bounty.

Fortunately, if eating greens is not your cup of tea, there are many herbal sources to get calcium from: alfalfa, red clover, raspberry leaf, comfrey, nettles, parsley, oatstraw, watercress, cleavers, horsetail, coltsfoot, plaintain, dandelion, chicory.

Check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/wisewomantradition#p/search/1/R7zau66LLbw to learn how to make a nourishing herbal infusion.

Finally, if you find you cannot simply take in 1,000 - 1,200 mg of calcium a day from your diet and herbal infusions, there are a few wonderful supplement companies out there who make supplements from whole food sources and have created effective formulas for those seeking to maintain bone density or to reduce risk of osteoporosis. My votes go to MegaFoods, Wishgardens and New Chapter for their bone health blends.

Also, it is worth noting that sugar, coffee, lack of exercise, cortisone, salt and alcohol do deplete calcium in your body.

If anyone has any questions for me, I would love to hear them! I will continue to update my posts with any new information.

Recommmended reading and sources:

Rawsome by Brigitte Mars
The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D.
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan Weed
Nutrition Concepts and Controversies, 10th Edition
http://www.googlescholar.com/
http://www.pubmed.gov/

Ode to Trysta

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As I have a wonderful, kindred spirit who has established an informative site for wholistic minds out there . . . I am urging you to visit http://www.integrativeherbalism.com/

Trysta and I attended Metropolitan State College of Denver and studied alternative medicine together. She went on to become a Master Herbalist and shares her unique and real learnings she has gathered along her journey with you. She offers advice on natural and herbal healing, has started her own herbal company and sells beautiful neti pots for your jala neti practice. Also, quite the momma bird, she feathers her nest with a gorgeous family.

Thank you, Trysta, for being the first official fan of Transcendent Chirpings.

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Welcome to the random chirpings at Birdscend Botanicals. Remain tuned in as we explore wholistic choices and interesting topics. We'll begin in the Spring . . . . from out of the shadow of Winter . . . a new beginning emerges once again . . .