Pineapple sage possesses an incredible fruity fragrance. The red flowers are tubular which attracts humming birds which is a prime pollinator. The leaves and flowers are used to make a fragrant mild tea. This plant appears from mountains of Southern Mexico. This perennial plant grows up to 1-1.5 m in height. The crushed leaves have a scent. The leaf surfaces have short and fine hairs.
| Name |
Pineapple Sage |
| Scientific Name |
Salvia elegans |
| Native |
Mexico and Guatemala. It reside Madrean and Mesoamerican pine oak forest between 6,000 and 9,000 ft. (1,800 and 2,700 m). |
| Common/English Name |
Pineapple Sage, Honey Melon Sage, Pineapple Scented Sage, Tangerine Sage |
| Name in Other Languages |
Finnish: Ananassalvia;
French: Sauge Ananas;
German: Ananas-Salbei;
Mexico: Flor del Cerro;
Portuguese: Sábio Abacaxi;
Swedish: Ananassalvia |
| Plant Growth Habit |
Semi woody, subshrub |
| Growing Climate |
Mild |
| Soil |
Fertile, moist and well drained |
| Plant Size |
Height: 1-1.5 m |
| Lifespan |
Perennial |
| Stem |
Pubescent, squarish |
| Leaf |
Opposite, simple, pale green, elliptic, grey-green; Length: 5-10 cm |
| Flowering Season |
Autumn-spring |
| Flower |
Hermaphrodite, ruby red, Length:2.5-5 cm |
| Nutlet |
Glabrous ovoid |
| Seed |
Small, football shaped, dark colored |
| Health Benefits |
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Constipation
- Body heat
- Assist digestion
- Heart burn
|
| Traditional uses |
- It provides relief from anxiety.
- The plant is used for healing purposes and also lowers blood pressure.
- This herb calms the nervous system, serves as a tonic, improves digestive system and treats heartburn.
- It also treats depression.
- This herb treats snake bites, infection, eye problems, epilepsy, memory loss, intoxication, intestinal problems and worms.
- It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
- It possesses adaptogenic properties.
|
| Precautions |
- It should not be used for more than one month.
- The tea of Pineapple sage should not be consumed for more than 10 days.
- The pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid it.
- It may interact with the sedative medications.
- It may cause sleepiness.
- The people should consult the health practitioner.
- One cup of herbal infusion is recommended in a day.
- One should be aware of the side effects.
- It may cause convulsions when taken in excessive amounts.
|
| How to Eat |
- The red flowers are used in salads.
- The leaves are added to savory dishes.
- The leaves and flowers are added to salads or desserts.
- The flowers are used in jam or jelly concoctions and potpourri.
- It is added to pork or chicken recipes.
- It is used in sponge cakes.
- It is used on waffles, pancakes, ice cream and fruit salads.
- The flowers are fruit puddings, fruit cocktails, garnish and dessert.
- The leaves are kneaded to raisin dough bread.
- The fresh leaves are steeped in a hot apple juice.
- Leaves are used to brew tea.
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