Teucrium scorodonia
Wood Sage
a perennial member of the Teucrium genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant resembles hops in taste and flavour[9]. An infusion of the leaves and flowers is used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer in some areas[7][9][5]. It is said to clear the beer more quickly than hops, but imparts too much colour to the brew[9].
- Product or use
- Condiment
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The herb is alterative, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary[9][10][3]. It is harvested in July and can be dried for later use[9]. The herb is often used in domestic herbal practice in the treatment of skin afflictions, diseases of the blood, fevers, colds etc[9]. It is an appetizer of the first order and is equal to gentian root as a tonic[9].
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Environment
- Range
- W. Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Germany.
- Habitat
- Dry, not strongly calcareous, soils in woodlands, grassland, heaths and dunes[9][4]. Also found on lime-free moorland soils[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring. Division in early spring[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil and almost any situation[1][9]. Once established, this is a drought resistant plant, succeeding in dry shade[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202