מַרְוַת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם – Jerusalem Sage – Salvia Hierosolymitana Boiss
My garden teaches me that I’m not in control. From
all the flowers, herbs and bushes I purchase, and all the seeds I plant, only
some decide to make my garden their home. One such plant is ‘Jerusalem Sage.’ I
wish that this referred to King David or to King Solomon, yet I have to accept
that Jerusalem sage is an edible perennial herb with long, hairy stems covered
with fuzzy, velvet-like, gray-green leaves. In mid-to-late-summer, the stalks
yield beautiful, pale burgundy flowers that give off a strong pungent aroma.
What now dots every nook and cranny of both my front and backyard, was, more
than a decade ago, a gift from America – a small package of Organic Heirloom
seeds. Whereas, the Echinacea seeds, from the same gift package, only made it
for one season, the Jerusalem sage decided that it had returned from exile to
its rightful home. As Dave
Ehrlinger, the chief horticulturalist, notes, “True sage has been grown in
Israel for thousands of years.” Not as glamorous as Echinacea flowers or as
useful as kale – another plant I have not succeeded in making feel welcome –
Jerusalem sage is a reliable friend, who is always there for me. It grows year
round, even when no other green leaves are to be found anywhere. Although its
leaves have a strong, herbaceous flavor, the entire plant is edible and can be
used in smoothies, soups, stir-fries, meat dishes or stews. The leaves can be
eaten cooked and also filled with rice or used as a garnish on meat, vegetable
or egg dishes. Its strong flavor and fuzziness require that you use it
sparingly, especially when raw like in a green smoothie.
Jerusalem sage, with its textured, large green
leaves, burgundy-red and white flowers, branches out into the shape of a
Menorah, similar to the instructions Hashem gave Moshe, regarding the
construction of the Temple candelabra:
ספר שמות פרק כה פסוק לב וְשִׁשָּׁה קָנִים יֹצְאִים מִצִּדֶּיהָ שְׁלשָׁה קְנֵי מְנֹרָה
מִצִּדָּהּ הָאֶחָד וּשְׁלשָׁה קְנֵי מְנֹרָה מִצִּדָּהּ הַשֵּׁנִי: לג שְׁלשָׁה גְבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים
בַּקָּנֶה הָאֶחָד כַּפְתֹּר וָפֶרַח וּשְׁלשָׁה גְבִעִים מְשֻׁקָּדִים בַּקָּנֶה
הָאֶחָד כַּפְתֹּר וָפָרַח כֵּן לְשֵׁשֶׁת הַקָּנִים הַיֹּצְאִים מִן הַמְּנֹרָה:
“Six branches coming out of its sides: three
menorah branches from its one side and three menorah branches from its second
side. Three decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower, and three
decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower; so for the six branches
that come out of the menorah” (Shemot 25:32-33).
Various Biblical botanists claim that a plant like
this served as a model for the Menorah of the Beit Hamikdash. From the Torah
perspective, it goes the other way.. Hashem instructed Moshe regarding the
Menorah according to the Divine vision. That same Divine vision created several
sage varieties with a similar Menorah-like shape. I recently gave Chanukah
gifts of various garden seeds and wrote on the adjoining card, “Seeds are
Light!” Just as the Menorah in the Temple reflects the Divine light and
diffuses it into the world and into our souls, these plants transform the
Divine radiance into nutrients, remedies and ornaments for us to delight in
Hashem’s healing light.
Respiratory Healer with Astringent
and Wound Healing Properties
Jerusalem Sage includes three species:
Phlomis Fruticosa, Pulmonaria Officinalis and
Salvia Hierosolymitana
Pulmonaria is so named because it looks like lung
tissue and is also known as lungwort. It is an
expectorant and anti-inflammatory and thus alleviates coughs, bronchitis
and its related symptoms such as coughing and sore throat. Lungwort,
distinguished by its yellow flowers, is known to contain small amounts of
tannins, which may exert a drying effect on respiratory tissue and upper
respiratory catarrh. It also has a high percentage of mucilage, which helps to
soothe irritated tissue. Tannins have a slight astringent effect when applied
to the skin. Astringents shrink and tighten the top layers of skin, thereby
reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. Due
to this effect, it treats diarrhea, hemorrhoids and minor skin injuries such as
scrapes and sunburn. Externally, this plant may be used to heal cuts and wounds
due to its vulnerary property. The leaves of Salvia Hierosolymitana have
valuable topical anti-inflammatory properties. You can soak a soft cloth in
strong Jerusalem Sage tea and apply it to an aching or injured area of the
skin.
Red-Rooted Sage in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese Medicine, a related variation of Jerusalem
sage, ‘Salvia Miltiorrhiza,’ known as ‘Tan Shen;’ ‘Chinese Sage’ or ‘Red-Rooted
Sage,’ is a most important herb. It is traditionally used to stabilize the
heart and calm the nerves, and to lighten or remove stagnant blood. Clinical
experience shows that the roots reduce blood pressure, improve circulation by
dilating the blood vessels, and reduce blood cholesterol. It is also useful for
palpitations, irritability and insomnia. It treats hepatitis, infections, and
many skin diseases such as shingles, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Hands On:
Wild, edible Salvia Hierosolymitana has
dark-pink or reddish flowers and is not the same as the inedible Phlomis
Fruticosa. The most delicious way to eat Salvia Hierosolymitana is stuffed with
rice and vegetables, enriched with a tomato sauce. Preparing Stuffed Jerusalem
Sage is a creative way to spend productive time with a dear one.
Stuffed Jerusalem Sage
500 grams – 1 Ib. fresh Jerusalem Sage
leaves
1 ½ cups rice
½ cup pine nuts – may substitute
sunflower seeds
¼ cup olive oil
½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
½ cup onions, finely chopped
1 cup seeded, chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped parsley
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Another ¼ cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup water and more if needed
1 large tomato, thickly sliced
Cloves from 1 head of garlic, separated
and peeled
1. Rinse the rice and set it to drain.
2. Blanch the leaves by placing each in
boiling water for 30 seconds, then putting into a bowl with cold water.
3. Mix the rice and pine nuts in a
medium bowl.
4. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a frying pan
and cook the bell pepper, onions, parsley and chopped tomatoes over medium heat
for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Season with salt and pepper to
taste.
5. When the vegetables are soft,
reserve 3 tablespoons and set aside. Pour the rest into the rice/pine nuts
mixture. Mix well.
6. Spoon one tablespoon of filling onto
the center of each leaf and make a square bundle, securing it with a toothpick.
Alternately, place the filling on the broad end of the leaf and roll it into a
fat cigar. Secure with a toothpick.
7. Pour ¼ cup olive oil into a large
pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with sliced tomato and peeled garlic cloves.
Place the stuffed leaves on top, making layers if needed.
8. Sprinkle salt and lemon juice over
all. Add water to barely cover the leaves. Scatter the reserved cooked
vegetables over the top.
9. Bring to a simmer then cook covered
over low heat for ½ hour or until the sauce thickens. Check to ensure that
the bottom layer isn’t drying out or scorching. If so, add more water.
10. Serve hot.
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