Sage is a perennial herb in the mint family that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the best documented herbs, with descriptions of the plant’s properties and uses dating to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Its species name is adapted from the Latin salvere, which means “to save.”
The effects of sage essential oil are due to several chemical constituents. Among them are a-thujone, b-thujone, borneol, camphor, 1,8-cineole, linalool, limonene and myrcene.