Family Name: Labiatae
Botanical Name(s): Salvia Sclarea
Popular Name(s): Cleareye and Muscatel Sage
Parts Used: The herb and Leaves
Habitat: The herb is common to South West and Central Europe to
Central Asia.
Description: Perennial, aromatic herb, very hairy, with large,
oval, light green, leaves which are up to 23 cm long. The margins of the
leaves are concave. Whorls of small white to purple flowers encircle the
stem, enclosed by long lilac bracts. Flowers appear in spring and
summer.
Uses: Combats nausea, vomiting, menstrual complaints and
stimulates the appetite. Fritters are made from the young leaves, and
the flowers are brewed as a tea or added to salads. The young leaves are
infused with elderflowers in wine, which gives a muscatel bouquet to the
wine, and are also used to flavor vermouth and other liqueurs.
