Salvia stenophylla
Encyclopedia
Salvia stenophylla is a perennial shrub
native to a wide area in South Africa
, growing on grassy or stony slopes, and in open countryside or among shrubs. It has been used traditionally as a disinfectant by burning it in huts after sickness, and it is also mixed with tobacco
for smoking. Its specific epithet, stenophylla, refers to the narrow leaves.
s. The tiny pale blue flowers appear during the summer months. They grow in whorls of six to eight, and are held in a calyx
that is hairy and covered with oil glands.
and used to soothe digestive problems, colds, coughs, chest congestion, and relieve breathing issues. A poultice
may be put on wounds such as scrapes, sores, and bites, giving relief by providing a cooling sensation. The herbage contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. The leaves of this plant are natural insect repellants when burned.
and an agent of aromatherapy
. It may also be diluted, placed in the palms of the hands, and inhaled, a method used to clear the sinus
es and bronchi. The oil can be blended with basil, bergamot, cypress, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, vetivert, and ylang-ylang. This is a method of creating new flavors and scents from the original aroma.
(38.1%), δ-3-carene (24.9%), γ-terpinene (20.3%), p-cymene (18.4%) and (E)-nerolidol (53.6%).
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
native to a wide area in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, growing on grassy or stony slopes, and in open countryside or among shrubs. It has been used traditionally as a disinfectant by burning it in huts after sickness, and it is also mixed with tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
for smoking. Its specific epithet, stenophylla, refers to the narrow leaves.
Description
Salvia stenophylla is a many-branched and upright shrub that reaches up to 2 foot (0.6096 m) tall and wide in the wild, less in cultivation. The stems are square and lightly covered with hairs. The leaves are long and narrow with deep lobes. They have a strong fragrance and are rough to the touch. The sparsely spaced leaves are pinnatid, growing up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide, with ten pairs of narrow segments that have glands. These glands give off a wood-like aroma when brushed. The stem and leaves contain the essential oilEssential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove...
s. The tiny pale blue flowers appear during the summer months. They grow in whorls of six to eight, and are held in a calyx
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
that is hairy and covered with oil glands.
Uses
The leaves of Blue Mountain sage can be made into a teaTea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
and used to soothe digestive problems, colds, coughs, chest congestion, and relieve breathing issues. A poultice
Poultice
A poultice, also called cataplasm, is a soft moist mass, often heated and medicated, that is spread on cloth over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body. It can be used on wounds such as cuts...
may be put on wounds such as scrapes, sores, and bites, giving relief by providing a cooling sensation. The herbage contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. The leaves of this plant are natural insect repellants when burned.
Essential oil
The essential oil from Blue Mountain sage is straw-like in color. The oil is used to relieve stress and promote relaxation. It is used as a massage oilMassage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
and an agent of aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health....
. It may also be diluted, placed in the palms of the hands, and inhaled, a method used to clear the sinus
Sinus
- Anatomy :In anatomy, where a sinus is a sac or cavity in any organ or tissue:*Sinus , description of the general term*Paranasal sinuses, air cavities in the cranial bones, especially those near the nose, including:...
es and bronchi. The oil can be blended with basil, bergamot, cypress, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, vetivert, and ylang-ylang. This is a method of creating new flavors and scents from the original aroma.
Chemical composition of the oil
The most abundant compounds in the Blue Mountain sage oil are α-bisabolol (46.5%), limoneneLimonene
Limonene is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon classified as a cyclic terpene. The more common D isomer possesses a strong smell of oranges. It is used in chemical synthesis as a precursor to carvone and as a renewably-based solvent in cleaning products....
(38.1%), δ-3-carene (24.9%), γ-terpinene (20.3%), p-cymene (18.4%) and (E)-nerolidol (53.6%).