The folklore of sage goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who believed that it imparted wisdom and mental acuity.

The Romans as well as arab physicians in the 10th century, attributed sage also with the ability to impart immortality.

All in all, to the ancients, sage symbolised wisdom, skill, esteem, long life, good health, domestic virtue, mitigation of grief, and increased psychic powers.

Added to all of that, the plant, again according to Roman mythology, supposedly belonged to the Satyrs, a half man half goat creatures (don't we all know a few of those), who loved sex, drink and loud parties. So, take your pick....

In the seventeenth century, herb strewers were employed by the English Royal Family to scatter sage and lavender to cover the stench of urban life.

In the Middle Ages sage was used as a treatment for memory loss, fevers and intestinal problems. It was also used to treat eye problems, liver disease, epilepsy and infections. A versatile herb indeed!