Herbs For Health - Sage

Throughout Man’s history herbs have been valued for their healing powers and today modern science is proving how effective they really are. A quarter of all prescriptions written by GPs are for medicines still based on traditional herbal remedies, even though in modern times they may be synthetically made in a pharmaceutical factory. Roman soldiers brought garlic to this country wedged between their toes to prevent athlete’s foot. Medieval herbalists used extracts of white willow to relieve pain and this remedy was the starting point for aspirin.

Many herbs with curative properties are also used in cooking and ’kitchen medicine’ was where most traditional healing started. These herbs are all effective when used as teas or other extracts and impart their healing properties to the delicious recipes they can be used in.

Next time your brain needs a boost try these fishcakes; if your love life’s flagging use oregano, grown by Venus in her own garden of love.

When taking herbs as medicines buy reputable brands that are described as ’standardised extracts’ on the label to make sure you get consistent and exact doses of the active chemicals in the plants.

Sage

An ancient proverb asks “why should a man die who has sage in his garden?” and this is one herb really worth growing, even if you’ve only got a pot on the balcony or back doorstep.

Sage is a powerful antiseptic so add a chopped teaspoon to a glass of hot water as a gargle for sore throats. It also helps balance female hormones and evens out mood swings at difficult times of the month.

It’s no coincidence that the word sage means wisdom, and the essential oils in this plant are an aid to concentration and mental performance.

Sage Fish Cakes

Potatoes - 250g (8 oz) roughly mashed
Tuna - 1 x 250g can
Onion - 1, medium, very finely chopped
Marjoram - 1 tspn fresh, finely chopped or half tspn dried
Sage - 1 tspn fresh, finely chopped or half tspn dried
Egg - 2, beaten
Extra virgin olive oil - about 5 fl oz (quarter pint)

Soften onion gently in butter.

Allow to cool and mix thoroughly with tuna.

Add potatoes and herbs and mix well.

Add half the beaten egg and mix again.

Form mixture into 8 flat cakes. Dip in rest of egg. Shallow fry gently in olive oil for 7 minutes each side.