Sage honey is a monofloral honey, the most common honey in North America because it’s an easily accessible well-loved and well-used herb.
Botanical name: Salvia Officinalis L., derived from the Latin word salvere which means “to save”.
Family: Lamiaceae
Salvia plants are the general source of Sage Honey, and there are many types of salvia plants, which does not mean that all Sage plants or Sage honey are the same.
The most famous among the Sage honey variety is Black Sage honey, which is obtained from Black Button sage plants (salvia mellifera), growing spontaneously along the coast of central California and in the mountains of Sierra Nevada.
The White Sage is another version (Salvia Apiana) of Sage. The nectar of this plant is used to produce White Sage honey, which is predominantly found in Southern California.
And the Purple Sage honey which is produced from Purple Sage (Salvia Leucophylla). This honey is dark that looks almost black. It grows mostly in Texas and is found in the Southwest as well.
The colour varies between golden amber and very light amber for most forms of heavy-bodied honey. Some have a greenish-yellow colour depending on their source plants.
Another most dominant exporters of Sage honey are from Greece (Europe). Parnonas mountains and Crete as a prominent harvesting location.
These honey are produced from both- wild plants and cultivated gardens.
Dryer climates help this plant to thrive well, and it’s a perfect addition to your garden for two good reasons - It’s easy to handle because once it’s planted, it will thrive itself through the years and it can also help repel certain insects.
Sage honey has a distinctive taste, smell and colour. With a faint and friendly floral flavour and a silky, creamy texture, all varieties of sage honey have a soft, enjoyable sweet flavour that makes it one of the best kinds of honey to pair with wholesome dishes and to be used as an ingredient in rich barbeque sauces and glazes.
It has a high pre-and probiotic concentration. Its strong source of antioxidants makes it effective in aiding digestion and treating gastrointestinal tract problems.
Its also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which also calm the bronchial passages by clearing excess mucus. And of course, it can only be obtained by consuming raw Sage honey. It is also, like Manuka honey, an effective topical antiseptic.
Breastfeeding mothers should refrain from using Sage honey because it is drying in nature unless you need to reduce breast milk production. It is also not recommended for people who are dry or have dry skin. The content of Thujone (one of the volatile oils sage contains) may prove harmful for people who are prone to seizures. Pregnant women should also desist from taking it even as a medicinal dose. Always talk to your physician first before consuming this honey in large quantity.
You might have heard about the Clary Sage Essential Oil (aka Muscatel Oil) in the market. It is being made from Clary sage (Salvia sclarea), a relative of common sage. So, Sage oil and Clary Sage Oil are two different types of oils from the same family.
Personally, I would prefer Clary Sage Oil over Sage Oil for more benefits.
The above-provided information is purely based on my own research and study, and hope this is a useful resource for you!
We’d also love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!!!
Please like and comment.
*****************
