Morphology: It is an intensely aromatic, multi-branched, hairy shrub up to 160 cm tall. The leaves are elliptic, simple or with two lateral lobes at the base, with different colouring on both sides. The flowers are borne in a modular inflorescence and each spine contains 5-9 two-petalled, violet, or pinkish clustered flowers.

Flowering: Blooms from March to June.

Distribution and habitat: It is native to Italy, the Cyrenaica and the eastern Mediterranean countries as far as Syria. It grows in areas with low vegetation (maquis and toadflax), and altitudes from 0-900m.

Harvesting – Drying: Harvesting is done at full bloom, usually in May (depending on the growing area). The entire aboveground part is harvested at a height of 10 cm above the ground. There is a possibility of a 2nd harvest in early September. The drying is done in a shady place, at a temperature of less than 40^oC.

Essential oils – Biological properties: The name of the genus Salvia comes from the Latin verb salvare (=to save lives), although it was known in antiquity. It was used by our ancestors as a polypharmacy and is mentioned by Dioscorides, Aetius, Hippocrates, and Galen. Recently, experiments have confirmed sage’s ability to enhance memory. In the past, people used to chew sage leaves to clean their teeth.

It is an important source of rosmarinic acid, which exhibits several interesting biological actions, e.g., antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The essential oil content of Salvia fruticosa ranges from 1.1 – 5.1%. The main components of essential oil (1,8-quinol, alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, camphor, etc.) vary depending on the region of origin.

It is a traditional medicinal product of plant origin for (a) the symptomatic treatment of mild indigestion such as heartburn and bloating, (b) the relief of excessive sweating, (c) the symptomatic treatment of inflammation in the mouth or throat, (d) the relief of skin inflammation in minors.