Salvia officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia

Now this one is really interesting!

The essential oil of S. officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia has been found to have a selective acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting effect – which, if you are anything like me, you have no idea about.

Let’s learn together – the goal of treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is to improve or stabilize memory and attention by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter released by cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain.

A basic example: cholinesterase inhibitors are used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Read more here: Research on Memory

The binary name, officinalis, refers to the plant’s medicinal use—the officina was the traditional storeroom of a monastery where herbs and medicines were stored.

Additionally, for those color enthusiasts out there – the color sage comes from the color of the foliage of the common (is she common though?) sage.

The sage is sage.

Treated as a holy herb by the Romans, planted in monasteries under Charlemagne before becoming an indispensable herb of great renown during the Middle Ages.

A soap, a soup, a cleansing herb for the house and the mind, a toothpaste, an infusion that wards off the plague… whatever you needed, salvia would bring you your salvation.