Clary sage flowering top

"Native to East Asia and Southern and Central Europe, this grassy biennial plant of the Lamiacee family is grown on a large scale in countries with a moderate climate as a ornamental plant but essentially to produce an essential oil used in the fabrication of liquors or perfumes, Sage was a salvaging plant in the Middle Ages. The Greeks, Romans and Arabs commonly used it as a tonic or in compresses against snake bites. Egyptian women had the habbit to drink sage juice to increase their fertility. ""He who has sage in his garden, doesn't need a doctor"" (Provencal proverb)."