Common sage is a member of the mint family that is native to the Mediterranean, where the herb was well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. In addition to using the leaf as food and flavoring, the first century Greek physician Dioscorides and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote extensively of the herb’s therapeutic qualities. There is also evidence to indicate that the sage was used by the ancient Egyptians to address infertility.
Sage also has a long history of use in Europe, evidence by its place of reverence in many old herbals. Gerard, for instance, had this to say about the herb: "Sage is singularly good for the head and brain, it quickeneth the senses and memory, strengtheneth the sinews, restoreth health to those that have the palsy, and taketh away shakey trembling of the members."
Today, sage is best known as a culinary herb. As the star seasoning for roasted turkey and sage and onion stuffing, the herb is strongly associated with the American Thanksgiving holiday.
