Lyre-leaved sage
Salvia lyrata

Other Names: Cancerweed, Lyreleaf Sage, Wild sage

Habitat: (Salvia lyrata) Perennial native sage, common in dry woods, barrens, roadsides, lawns and waste places. Eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois. Cultivation: requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Growing to about 16 to 24 inches in height with a square, slightly hairy, stem and produce whorls of blue or violet tubular flowers. The leaves form a basal rosette, are up to 8 inches long, and often have dark red or purple areas along the main veins, are irregularly cleft and some times lobed. Gather fresh young edible leaves in spring. Gather entire plant as flowers bloom, dry for later herb use.

Properties: Medicinal and edible herb, as an alternative medicine it is carminative, diaphoretic, laxative, and salve. Lyre-leaved sage has some of the same medicinal properties of the other sages but is very week. It is used mainly as a gargle in the treatment of sore throat and mouth infections. Medicinal salve made from root is applied to sores. Warm infusion of herb is taken as a laxative or for colds, coughs and nervous debility. This sage is not very strong tasting, and has a rather pleasent minty flavor, fresh young leaves are edible in salads, or cooked as pot herb.

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Folklore: Lyre-leaved sage is also a folk remedy for cancer (as the plant grows like a cancer upon the earth) it is therefore said to cure it. The fresh leaves are said to remove warts.

TRY THIS RECIPE

Medicinal tea: To 1 cup water add 1 tbls. dried herb, bring to boil, steep 10 min. strain, sweeten to taste, drink warm at bed time.