Salvia officinalis

Diseases and effects: inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx, nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract, skin, festering ulcers and wounds, burns, frostbite, gastritis, peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, inflammation of the bladder.

Active substances: flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, resinous substances, organic acids, vitamin P, vitamin PP, bitterness, phytoncides, pinene, cineole, thujone, thujol, borneol, salven, camphor, vitamins of group B.

Collection time:  June – June, September – September

Botanical description

\rPerennial semi-shrub 50-70 cm high, of the labiate family (Labiatae). In some sources, it is classified as a member of the Lamiaceae family.\r

Woody root .\r

The stem is gray-green, straight, branched, at the base with short leafy shoots, short, curly pubescent along the entire length. At the bottom, the stem is woody, covered with thin gray or brown bark, tetrahedral.\r

The leaves are oblong, numerous, wrinkled, 5-8 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm wide, obtuse or sharp. Leaves are dark green above, woolly, grayish below, with short hairs and finely reticulated veins.\r

Salvia officinalis inflorescences are simple or branched with 6-7 ten-flowered false whorls spaced 1-2 cm apart. The flowers are large, on short pedicels, sitting in the axils of the bracts, collected in 1-5-flowered opposite whorls.\r

Odor, especially when rubbed, strong, fragrant, spicy taste.\r

The fruit consists of four almost round one-seeded nuts. Seeds are round-ovoid, smooth, black or dark brown. The size of the seeds is from 2.4 to 3.0 mm, the weight of 1000 seeds is 7-10 g.\r

Under natural conditions, sage officinalis grows in warm and mountainous areas. To obtain large yields, it requires a good supply of soil moisture, but at the same time it does not tolerate its excess. The experience of sage cultivation has shown that in areas with unstable, cold weather, sage exhibits poor winter hardiness.\r

Salvia officinalis is propagated by seeds. In the first year, it grows slowly, forming a small number of leafy shoots. Starting from the second year of vegetation, in early spring (late March – early April) forms up to 100 or more shoots. With age, the shoots become woody and remain in subsequent years. With timely removal (before sap flow) of old shoots, young shoots are formed, on which larger leaves develop.\r

Salvia officinalis  is a cross-pollinating plant. It blooms in May-June, the seeds ripen in a month, first the lower cups of the inflorescences, and then the upper ones.\r

Under favorable weather conditions and good care, plantations of sage officinalis can be used for 4-6 years.\r

The average leaf yield is 12 q/ha, with irrigation the yield rises to 30 q/ha. There is more essential oil in the leaves of the upper tier, less – approximately and especially in the lower tiers, its non-cordial abundance in the stems is 0.3%. Its highest content is in the phase of seed maturation. By October-November, the content of essential oil is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is impossible to be late with harvesting the leaves, especially since this negatively affects the winter hardiness of sage.\r

For medical purposes, use the leaves of sage officinalis .\r

Spreading

\rThe birthplace of sage officinalis is Asia Minor, from where it spread to the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean. In small quantities , sage is cultivated throughout Europe, and the centers of its culture are the region of Dalmatia (Yugoslavia) and France. On the territory of the countries of the former USSR, medicinal sage is not found in the wild. The plant is cultivated as a medicinal raw material in Moldova, Ukraine, the Crimea and the Caucasus.\r

Chemical composition

\rSage leaves contain flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and resinous substances, organic acids (oleanolic, ursolic, chlorogenic, phenolcarboxylic, etc.), vitamins P and PP, bitterness, phytoncides, as well as a significant amount of essential oil containing pinene, cineol, thujone, thujol, borneol, salven and other terpene compounds. The leaves also contain camphor and B vitamins, phenolic compounds – derivatives of caffeic acid – tannins (4%).\r

Pharmacological properties

\rThe anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of sage are associated with the content of tannic and flavonoid compounds in the leaves, as well as with the presence of essential oil and vitamins P and PP in the aerial part of the plant. The antimicrobial activity of the plant is most pronounced in relation to gram-positive strains of bacteria, and to a lesser extent sage herbal products affect gram-negative strains of microorganisms.\r

The anti-inflammatory effect of sage is due to a decrease in the permeability of the walls of blood vessels and capillaries under the action of products, as well as the presence of hemostatic properties in the plant. The combination of these properties significantly potentiates the overall effect on the main links of the inflammatory process, including the likelihood of inhibiting the vital activity of pathogenic microflora.\r

In addition, the experiment found that sage leaves increase the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of bitterness in the plant. Galenic forms of the plant also have a non-cordinal splasmolytic effect. The property of the plant to inhibit perspiration has long been known.\r

Application in medicine

\rHerbal sage products are used for inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx, nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract, given the astringent, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and volatile properties of the plant. The leaves of sage officinalis in the form of infusion are used for rinsing, inhalation, lotions and wet turundas.\r

Sage infusions are also used for inflammatory diseases of the skin, for the treatment of festering ulcers and wounds, for light burns and frostbite. For therapeutic purposes, gauze napkins moistened with sage infusion are used, general or local baths with infusion are prescribed.\r

There is clinical experience in the use of herbal products of sage for gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum with reduced secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract and acidity of gastric juice, also with a tendency of patients to spastic conditions of the stomach and intestines. Assign sage for inflammation of the bladder. Separately, sage herbal products are not often used; traditionally, sage leaves are included in complex collections.\r

Sage officinalis reduces sweating. This property finds application in menopause, in some febrile conditions, tuberculosis. The ability of sage products to suppress lactation in breastfeeding mothers needs further study.\r

Dosage forms

\rTincture of sage (Tinctura Salviae) is a clear greenish-brown liquid with a characteristic aromatic smell and taste. Preparing tincture 1:10 in 70% alcohol. Used for rinsing.\r

Sage leaf infusion (Infusum folii Salviae): 10 g (2 tablespoons) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml (1 glass) of hot boiled water, heated in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes, cooled at room temperature for for 45 minutes, filter. The remaining raw material is squeezed out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.\r

The infusion is used as an emollient and anti-inflammatory agent.\r

Available in packs of 50 g. Sage leaf is stored in a dry, cool place.\r

Procurement of raw materials

\rRaw materials are harvested twice during the summer: the first time – at the beginning of flowering, the second – in September. The leaves are plucked by hand. During the first collection, the lower leaves are torn off, and in the fall – all the leaves. Dry the raw material in the fresh air, spreading it out in a thin layer, stirring often.\r

Recommendations for growing in home gardens

\rSeeds are sown in early spring to a depth of 4 cm with a row spacing of 45-60 cm at the rate of 50 pcs. seeds per 1 running meter.\r

In later periods, when the soil warms up, it can be sown with pre-germinated seeds of 30-40 pcs. by 1 m.\r

Shoots require careful care. With a lack of moisture, watering is required. Plant care during the growing season consists in loosening row spacing and weed control. Starting from the second year, rejuvenation is carried out in early spring – the plant is cut off near the ground. At the same time, the number of flowering shoots is significantly reduced and the collection of leaves increases.\r

Harvesting in the first year can be carried out not earlier than September, on plants of older ages – during the beginning of seed ripening. Re-collection of leaves in autumn is possible. Dry the leaves in the shade under canopies. Store raw materials in various containers with good sealing. Storage period 1 year.\r

Industrial cultivation of sage officinalis

\rTypically, a sage plantation is used to collect leaves for 4-5 years, so the crops of the plant must be placed in specialized crop rotations, choosing areas clear of weeds for it. The best predecessors of sage officinalis are pure fallow or winter cereals.\r

The main tillage for sage officinalis is carried out according to the general rules of autumn tillage. When sowing on non-steam predecessors, the main attention should be paid to the timely stubble peeling and plowing to a depth of 25-27 cm with simultaneous rolling with an annular roller. As the weeds grow, the soil is cultivated to a depth of 10-12 cm, with a subsequent decrease in the depth of cultivation by autumn to 5-6 cm.\r

Pre-sowing tillage is carried out depending on its physical properties, as well as on the state after wintering. On light, non-floating, loose soils, pre-sowing preparation for sowing sage is limited to harrowing. On heavier and flooding soils, cultivation to a depth of 5-6 cm can be used before sowing sage, however, in dry spring conditions, this technique leads to excessive drying of the soil and seedlings may be sparse.\r

The main method of cultivation of salvia officinalis is spring wide-row, belt sowing with germinated seeds, with row spacing of 60-70 cm. Sowing depth – 4 cm, seeding rate – 6-8 kg / ha of seeds of the first class.\r

For sowing, it is necessary to use a seeder (for example, SO-4.2) with disc coulters with the installation of sowing depth limiters on them.\r

Caring for a sage plantation is no different from caring for other row crops and should provide optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants.\r

Shoots are found on the 18-21st day. Usually, by this time, weeds are found that overtake sage seedlings in growth. Therefore, by the time of the mass appearance of weeds, it is necessary to coincide with the first inter-row tillage. The aisles are cultivated with cultivators (for example, KRN-4.2) to a depth of 5-8 cm, weeds are removed in the rows and the soil is loosened manually. In total, during the growing season, 2-3 manual weeding and 5-6 inter-row tillage should be carried out.\r

In the first and subsequent years, sage forms leafy shoots that become woody by the end of the growing season. On such shoots in May, a large number of peduncles with inflorescences appears. The formation of peduncles and the formation of seeds have a negative effect on the growth and development of leaves. They become small, turn yellow prematurely, yields and their quality are noticeably reduced. In addition, in the presence of lignified shoots, peduncles and inflorescences, mechanized harvesting of leaves, as well as their subsequent cleaning, is difficult.\r

In order to obtain larger yields of high-quality raw materials, it will be necessary, starting from the second year of vegetation, to rejuvenate the plantation – to cut sage plants near the ground. Rejuvenation should be carried out at the end of winter or in the earliest spring periods and end before the start of sap flow in plants.\r

Rejuvenation of transitional sage plantations significantly increases the yield and quality of medicinal raw materials. After rejuvenation, during regrowth, fewer flower-bearing and more vegetative leafy shoots with large leaves appear. As weeds appear on plantations, both inter-row tillage and weeding in rows should be carried out.\r

Salvia officinalis is responsive to fertilizers. In the conditions of the south, he needs, first of all, nitrogen, then – phosphorus and potassium. As the main fertilizer on a rainfed land, 20 tons of humus should be applied together with mineral nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers at 30 kg / ha of active ingredients – or one mineral fertilizer N 120 P 60 ; in the second case, in the first year of vegetation, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers can be omitted. From the second and subsequent years of vegetation in the fall, it will be necessary to apply 1 quintal of ammonium sulfate and 1.5 quintals of superphosphate, and in early spring, top dressing with ammonium sulfate at a dose of 1.5 quintals / ha. Fertilizers should be applied to a depth of 10-12 cm.\r

Under irrigation conditions, the dose of mineral fertilizers during the main application must be increased to N 180 P 90 . Top dressing is carried out in the same period as on the rainfed; in addition, in addition, after each mowing, 1.5 centners / ha of ammonium nitrate are applied. When sown together with seeds, 20-30 kg / ha of granulated superphosphate can be applied.\r

Irrigation is an important factor in increasing the yield of sage officinalis . Plants of the first year develop slowly, so watering begins in early June. However, in transitional plantations, regrowth starts early and watering can be done in April-May.\r

According to experimental data, medicinal sage consumes up to 5 thousand m 3 of water per 1 hectare during the growing season . To meet the needs of plants in water, it will be necessary to carry out from 4 to 5 vegetation irrigations. Since the water consumption of sage officinalis by growth periods is not the same, watering should be differentiated.\r

In the first growing season (June), the total water consumption is only 20-25%, at this time it is necessary to carry out the first watering. In the second period (July-August), when there is an increased growth of the leaf plane and root, 34-45% of moisture is consumed; at this time it will be necessary to carry out two waterings. In the third period (from the second half of August until the end of the growing season), the water consumption of sage is reduced, one or two waterings are required.\r

Pre-irrigation soil moisture threshold for sage officinalis 70-75% of the FPV.\r

Harvesting periods for sage depend on the degree of growth of the leaves and the content of essential oil in them. According to some reports, the leaves on the rainfed at the end of April have 0.5% essential oil, in the phase of seed ripening – 1.4%, in November – 0.9%; on irrigation, respectively: at the end of April – 0.5%, in the phase of seed ripening – 1.5% and in November – 0.9%.\r

Thus, the best period for the first harvest of the sage leaf in transitional plantations is the period of seed formation. Subsequent cleaning is carried out no later than October. In the first year of vegetation, sage can be mowed once – in September.\r

Harvesting sage officinalis involves mowing the above-ground mass with simultaneous loading into vehicles. The most suitable for use in harvesting sage are a specially converted self-propelled harvester. Instead of a threshing machine, a pneumatic conveyor is installed on it to supply the mowed mass to the transport trolley.\r

Drying is carried out on currents, and the sage grass is laid out in a thick layer (40-50 cm). When dried in a thin layer, most of the raw materials lose their natural color. Artificial drying is carried out at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, an increase in temperature above 60 ° C may lead to the loss of essential oils.\r

The separation of the leaf from the stem is carried out by threshing with a combine. Complete processing of raw materials is carried out on sorting devices.\r

Ready dry raw materials are packed on presses in bales weighing 30 kg and sent for packaging.\r

The quality of the threshed sage leaf is determined by the requirements of the temporary pharmacopoeial article VFS 42-946-80 (source 1992). The raw material should consist of leaf pieces of various shapes and whole leaves ranging in size from 1 to 35 mm, with a small number of other plant parts. Leaf color is green or silvery white. The smell is fragrant, the taste is bitter-spicy, slightly astringent. The content of essential oil is not less than 0.8%; moisture – no more than 14%, total ash – no more than 12%, blackened and browned leaves – no more than 5%, other parts of sage (stems no more than 3 cm long and inflorescences) – no more than 13%, particles passing through a sieve with hole size 0.5 mm, – no more than 10%; organic impurities – no more than 3%, mineral impurities – no more than 5%.\r

Salvia officinalis refers to plants with pronounced male sterility. A small proportion of bisexual (fertile) plants (from 0.3 to 5%) leads to non-setting of seeds and poor yields.\r

Primary seed production is carried out taking into account the widespread influence of male sterility. Fertile (F) and separately male sterile (MS) plants are often selected.\r

Seed parts are planted with elite seeds of 2 lines – F and MS in a ratio of 1: 5 to 1: 7. This ratio of plants ensures good seed set.\r

On the seed plots, sage officinalis is not rejuvenated. Salvia officinalis blooms in May-June, and seeds ripen in early July. Ripe seeds crumble easily, so harvesting will need to be done without delay – at the beginning of the blackening of the seeds in the lower cups.\r

Seeds are harvested with an ordinary grain combine, dried on covered currents and cleaned on grain cleaning machines.\r

Seeds remain viable for three year.

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