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“Kiki says, “Cretan sage? I’ll be the judge of that. I used to pick it and drink it when I lived there.” sips “Yup, that’s Cretan sage. That’s really good.” I’m really impressed with these...” Read full tasting note
“I have received this herb from dear derk and I selected it today afternoon-evening, because my stomach went a bit upset (I blame the nerves, because 4th is coming way too quickly) and I needed to...” Read full tasting note
This sage came directly from the Growers in Crete. Greek Sage is a wonderful aromatic sage, similar in some ways to White sage but softer and sweeter. The scent has a unique potent green/herbal camphor scent. It has many healing properties* and is used in Greece to make the healthful tea known as Faskomilo.
As an incense, it is delightful, cleansing and fragrant. Use it for tea, cooking, incense or a nice energy clearing potpourri.
“It has a long tradition of use in Greece, where it is valued for its beauty, medicinal value, and culinary use, along with its sweet nectar and pollen. Salvia fruticosa was depicted in a Minoan fresco circa 1400 BCE at Knossos on the island of Crete. The ancient Phoenicians and Greeks likely introduced the plant for cultivation to the Iberian peninsula, with remnant populations of these introduced plants still found in some coastal areas. It also has a long tradition of use in various Muslim rituals—for newborn children, at weddings, in funerals, and burnt as incense. A cross between S. fruticosa and Salvia officinalis developed in the middle east is called “silver leaf sage” or Salvia" Newe Ya’ar’", and is used in cooking.
In its native habitat, it frequently develops woolly galls about 1 inch in diameter which are called ‘apples’. These ‘apples’ are peeled and eaten when they are soft, and are described as being fragrant, juicy, and tasty.
*The East Mediterranean Sage (Salvia Fruiticosa/triloba) is a native plant of the Mediterranean, which has been used in traditional medicine by many Asian and Middle Eastern countries to treat several ailments. The leaves of the plant are boiled as an herbal tea for the relief of headaches, stomachaches, abdominal pain and many other disorders. The aqueous and oil extracts of sage have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. It has recently been shown that the oil extract of S. triloba has potent chemopreventive abilities in the DMBA/TPA mouse model of skin carcinogenesis. This review describes the popular uses of the East Mediterranean Sage in traditional medicine with an emphasis on the anticancer properties of the essential oil extract of the plant.
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Kiki says, “Cretan sage? I’ll be the judge of that. I used to pick it and drink it when I lived there.” sips “Yup, that’s Cretan sage. That’s really good.”
I’m really impressed with these leaves. They’re stout with a short, dense fur. The taste is very different from typical, or culinary sage. It is soft and sweet as opposed to sharp. The aroma is like incense. As Martin said, very potent. One level teaspoon of lightly broken leaf in a mug is plenty for a few infusions. Delicious. Thank you White Antlers! :)
Flavors: Broth, Incense, Menthol, Sage, Soft, Sweet
I have received this herb from dear derk and I selected it today afternoon-evening, because my stomach went a bit upset (I blame the nerves, because 4th is coming way too quickly) and I needed to unwind a bit too. Not sure if sage is gonna help me with the latter, but I decided to brew it anyway.
Okay, caution from me first: this is a strong stuff and extremely powerful compared to common sage
But I didn’t knew it before and derk did not warned me beforehand, it was just double wrapped in airtight wrappers. My fault, that should warn me.
But it didn’t. I took our family favourite herbal tea cup; it is a bigger volume than normal and looks like having a fat belly. I have decided to brew it grandpa instead of using porcelain strainer which I couldn’t find. I found it afterwards.
Ohh well, I have used three pinches as I was lazy to measure that. Again a fail.
As I wrote the caution in a first half, it is so strong. It isn’t bad even this strong, but it was overwhelming and the taste is somehow indescribable, but sage. It reminded me a lots of things, but not really sure if anything would be a good desrcriptor.
I think this is a herb that needs to be tried to see if you like it or not. I can understand that somebody won’t like it. But not me!
Flavors: Sage
Happy New Year, Martin. I believe I sent that to derk and it’s normally used as incense although it can be had as tea. As always, I applaud your bravery in trying new things. : )
Here is the copy from Mermade Magickal: This sage came directly from the Growers in Crete. Greek Sage is a wonderful aromatic sage, similar in some ways to White sage but softer and sweeter. The scent has a unique potent green/herbal camphor scent. It has many healing properties* and is used in Greece to make the healthful tea known as Faskomilo.
As an incense, it is delightful, cleansing and fragrant. Use it for tea, cooking, incense or a nice energy clearing potpourri.
“It has a long tradition of use in Greece, where it is valued for its beauty, medicinal value, and culinary use, along with its sweet nectar and pollen. Salvia fruticosa was depicted in a Minoan fresco circa 1400 BCE at Knossos on the island of Crete. The ancient Phoenicians and Greeks likely introduced the plant for cultivation to the Iberian peninsula, with remnant populations of these introduced plants still found in some coastal areas. It also has a long tradition of use in various Muslim rituals—for newborn children, at weddings, in funerals, and burnt as incense. A cross between S. fruticosa and Salvia officinalis developed in the middle east is called “silver leaf sage” or Salvia" Newe Ya’ar’", and is used in cooking.
In its native habitat, it frequently develops woolly galls about 1 inch in diameter which are called ‘apples’. These ‘apples’ are peeled and eaten when they are soft, and are described as being fragrant, juicy, and tasty.
*The East Mediterranean Sage (Salvia Fruiticosa/triloba) is a native plant of the Mediterranean, which has been used in traditional medicine by many Asian and Middle Eastern countries to treat several ailments. The leaves of the plant are boiled as an herbal tea for the relief of headaches, stomachaches, abdominal pain and many other disorders. The aqueous and oil extracts of sage have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. It has recently been shown that the oil extract of S. triloba has potent chemopreventive abilities in the DMBA/TPA mouse model of skin carcinogenesis. This review describes the popular uses of the East Mediterranean Sage in traditional medicine with an emphasis on the anticancer properties of the essential oil extract of the plant.
White Antlers: I am that brave trying new things and probably never got a bad experience. As derk is having a Greek ancestry, I thought it is from her. But that’s not important at all; if it is from you… just change in mind the name.
I believe it would be wonderful as an incense too, but I would rather drink it completely. If I once travel to Greece, I know what to look for when picking some souvenirs back home.
It really doesn’t matter WHO the tea is from; it’s the experience, as you said. If you ever start to take an interest in incense, most of mine comes from Mermade Magickal. I wish I still had some of her blue lotus flowers to send you for tea…If she ever gets them in stock again, you’ll get some from me!
Yep, that’s why I took 3 pinches, as one seemed too little for me. Not really!
My pleasure, derk. Good to know that you and Kiki enjoyed it. I trust Katelyn at Mermade Magical implicity when it comes to good incense and high quality herbs. You and Kiki might enjoy this one from her,too. https://mermadearts.com/p/herbs/karteraki-the-herbs-of-crete-1576531422
If the sage is indicative of the quality of her other herbs, your recommendation is noted!
Do you think the Cretan rockrose you sent would work in a warmer?
I bet it would. The only botanical of Katelyn’s that I ever made into tea was her dried blue lotus flowers. Everything else I use in my electric warmer.
derk Here is her copy on it-For Labdanum Lovers….
This Cistus is well known historically as a fragrant and healing herb. It comes directly from the growers on Crete. This herb has been mixed with a lovely Labdanum Absolute to make it an incense all on it own.
I have found it to be a perfect incense base, with soft balsamic herbal notes on the heater that aromatically supports other herbs and resin. It is also lovely heated all by itself. Cistus, or Rockrose, is the species of plant that Labdanum comes from and the scent of the resinoid comes through on the leafy herb.
It is ground to a coarse powder and ready to use in blends.
Cistus incanus or Pink Rockrose is a rich source of beneficial bioactive compounds such as rutin, gallic acid, bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins and polyphenols. It is a well-known as a herbal medicinal remedy that has remained popular over thousands of years.