Sage – History

Sage is an aromatic Mediterranean herb with a long history as both a medicine and a culinary plant. Revered as an erba santa (the holy or miraculous plant -ħaxixa qaddisa/ pjanta mirakuluza- in Maltese) for centuries, it received its Latin name by the Ancient...

Sage – Traditional Maltese uses

As an infusion To reduce excessive sweat; debilitating sweat produced by those sick in their chests or recovering from an illness. It is important to note that a weak decoction of tea increases perspiration, but a strong decoction arrests it. To soothe catarrh of the...

Rue in Culpeper’s The Complete Herbal (1653)

GARDEN-RUE “Garden-rue is so well known by this name, and the name Herb of Grace, that I shall not need to write any farther description of it, but shall shew you the virtue of it, as follows. [Government and virtues]It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It...

Rue in Popular Culture

In Malta, the plant was associated with the devil because of its smell (of hell) and sometimes avoided. However, the herb was also praised for its healing properties, though only used externally as this saying goes; Il- Fejġel jaqdik sewwa, Biss minn barra, mhux minn...

Rue – History

Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, is native to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean, stretching from southern Europe to the Middle East. It likely originated in the Balkan Peninsula and, over time, spread widely throughout the ancient world. Valued for both...