Salvia spp.: Sage is a perennial, semi-shrubby aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean belt; Türkiye has one of the richest sage floras in the world and is among the leading suppliers of dried sage in international trade.

What is sage?

Sage is a plant whose silvery-green, downy, thick-textured leaves are dried for use as a herbal tea and a culinary spice. The part used commercially is the leaf. The dried leaf is more stable and carries a more concentrated aroma than the fresh leaf.

Which sage species does Türkiye export?

The species that dominates Türkiye's dried sage exports is Anatolian sage (Salvia fruticosa), also known as Greek sage, whose essential oil is rich in 1,8-cineole. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) has a higher thujone content in its essential oil, and buyer specifications may define an upper limit for thujone. For this reason the botanical name should be stated explicitly in orders and specifications.

How is sage harvested and dried?

Harvesting is timed to the period just before and during flowering, when essential oil content is at its highest. Leaves are dried in ventilated conditions away from direct sunlight so that colour and aroma are preserved. After drying, stems, twigs and foreign matter are separated; the leaves are sieved, graded and baled.

What is sage used for?

• Herbal tea industry: infusion teas and blend component
• Culinary and spice industry: meat dishes, stuffings and spice blends
• Essential oil: sage oil produced by distillation
• Cosmetics industry: plant ingredient in personal care products

How is high-quality dried sage identified?

The main criteria are a preserved silvery-green colour, a low stem and twig ratio, a structure free of foreign matter, uniform particle size, a distinct essential oil scent and controlled moisture content. Sage dried in direct sunlight loses both colour and aroma.

Traditional use of sage

Sage has been among the plants consumed as an infusion in Anatolia for centuries and has also been used as a culinary spice. The information given here refers to traditional use and makes no claim of therapeutic effect. A healthcare professional should be consulted regarding the use of herbal products.

Bulk sage supply and export

Organicure supplies and exports dried sage leaf in baled form, sourced by wild collection in the mountains of Anatolia. Please contact us regarding bulk supply, contract harvesting and regular shipment programmes for herbal tea producers, the spice industry and extract and essential oil manufacturers.