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College of Agriculture
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Western Ag Research Center
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Western Agricultural Research Center
Sage
Nancy W. Callan, Mal P. Westcott, Susan Wall-MacLane, and James B. Miller
Western Agricultural Research Center
Montana State University
Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a woody perennial shrub belonging to the mint family. The plant is adapted to dry conditions and prefers well-drained, neutral soil. Sage tolerates cold winters and is suitable for cultivation in Montana.
Sage can be used as a whole spice, and an essential oil can be distilled from the plant. Dalmatian sage, from S. officinalis, is considered to be superior for oil production. Spanish sage (S. lavandulaefolia) and Greek sage (S. triloba) are of inferior quality (2). Oil quality is determined primarily by thujone content, with camphor, linalool, 1,8-cineole, cis-ocimene, sabinyl acetate and borneol also present (6).
The US imported 2.7 tons of sage in 1999, valued at $4.4 million. Albania was the predominant source, with Turkey, Germany and Croatia also supplying sage to the US (4).
Western Agricultural Research Center
Sage ‘Extrakta’ (Johnny's Selected Seeds, Albion, ME) was sown in the greenhouse on April 13, 1998, and planted in the field on May 13. Six-row plots were 8 ft long with rows 18" apart and 12" between plants, with four replications. No harvest was done the first year. The top 2/3 of the plant was harvested when in full flower on June 22, 1999 and again on August 17, 1999. Border rows were not included. Plants were air dried and the entire top distilled.
Table 1. Yield of ‘Extrakta’ sage at the Western Agricultural Research Center, 1999
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Harvest Date
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Dry weight (lb/a)
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Leaf (lb/a)
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Oil (lb/a)
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June 22
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1,956
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1,049
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13.0
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August 17
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2,101
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1,494
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23.8
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Total
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4,057
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2,542
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36.8
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Sage was productive at WARC, whether harvested for leaf or for oil. Many types of sage are available, and choice of cultivar depends on the intended use. The 'Extrakta' cultivar was developed for oil distillation, while nonflowering types are desirable for leaf harvest. Plants are normally harvested for oil at full bloom, and for leaf before bloom.
Acknowledgments
Seed was donated by Johnny's Selected Seeds, Albion, ME.
Additional Information about Sage
Books and Publications:
1. Chalchat, J., A. Michet, and B. Pasquier. 1998. Study of clones of Salvia officinalis L. Yields and chemical composition of essential oil. Flavour and Fragrance J. 13:68-70.
2. Guenther, E. 1948. The Essential Oils. Robert E. Krieger Pub. Co., Inc.
3. Hornok, L. 1992. Cultivation and Processing of Medicinal Plants. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
4. USDA. 2000. Tropical Products: World Markets and Trade. Foreign Agricultural Service, Circular Series FTROP 1-00, March 2000.
Web Pages:
5. McGimpsey, J. 1993. Sage. New Zealand Crop and Food Research.
6. Simon, J., A. Chadwick and L. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Archon Books, 770 pp., Hamden, CT.
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