The leaves of Salvia purpurea can be used to flavor meats, soups, and stews but they are not as commonly found in recipes as those of other sages.

Because it is so striking, it is more often used for fragrant-ornamental purposes.

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.