It is high time for another one of our blogs. This one will be a personal one, and will address a problem I have been dealing with the past month. As some of you might know, Wendy and I have both become mothers again this year. Now for myself, my milk has sadly dried up after my little boy got a fever this February and refuses to drink my milk. Ever since, I have experienced some inconveniences. Luckily the medieval garden is your friend when it comes to healing magic. It’s time therefore to explore the uses of sage!
So, many of you might know that sage is a tasty herb and used in many dishes to add some extra flavour. Did you know however that sage can also be used for medical purposes as well as culinary ones? Sage is also known by the Latin name of Salvia. The ‘normal sage’ we use in our kitchens we call Salvia officinalis. The name already gives an idea of the healing properties of this plant. As written in the Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum; ‘Why should any man die in whose garden grows sage?’[1] Here it is stated that sage has a calming effect on nerves, can help against tremoring hands and is used to cure fevers.[2] According to Hildegard, sage can come in handy against all ill humors.[3]
This brings us back to my current problem. Since my baby stopped drinking my milk, I would like to reduce lactation. Sage is the herb to help in this situation. Since it has a healing effect on ill humors, it also helps to dry up milk, as cooped up milk grows bad in ones body. One can put it in a dish, but I would recommend making a tea using the leaves. You can also add peppermint if you like, since it is said to also decrease milk production. Don’t think it a wise idea to tamper with healing magic yourself? Visit your local healer or physician, maybe he can brew you up something nice!
[1] J.L. Matterer, Regimen Sanitatis Salernitatum, p.10, Gode Cookery, via http://www.godecookery.com/regimen/regimn10.htm .
[2] Idem.
[3]P. Throop, Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica: The complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing. Rochester: Healing Arts Press, 1998.