Sage and Honey: A Savory-Sweet Herb Pairing and Throat Tea
Sage and honey is a pairing that works in both the teacup and the roasting pan. In many European and Middle Eastern homes, sage tea sweetened with honey is a traditional drink for a sore throat. In the kitchen, sage's earthy, piney flavor and honey's sweetness meet in glazes for pork, chicken, squash and roasted vegetables. This article explains how to brew sage and honey tea, cooking ideas, what is known about sage, and safety notes about sage oil. For another throat comfort, see honey for sore throat.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What sage is
Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a Mediterranean herb with soft, gray-green leaves and a warm, slightly bitter, piney flavor. Its name comes from the Latin salvere, to be saved, reflecting its long use in traditional medicine.
Sage is a staple in Italian, French and Middle Eastern cooking, and in American Thanksgiving stuffing.
Sage and honey tea
Place four or five fresh sage leaves, or one teaspoon of dried sage, in a mug. Pour over hot water, cover, and steep for five to ten minutes. Strain, let cool slightly, and stir in a teaspoon of honey. Add lemon if you like.
In parts of the Middle East, sage tea, called maramiya, is often brewed with black tea.
- 4 to 5 fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
- Hot water
- Cover and steep 5 to 10 minutes
- Cool slightly
- Stir in honey
What research says
Sage has been studied in labs for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and small human studies have tested sage sprays for sore throats with some positive results. A review of Salvia officinalis summarizes its traditional and studied uses.
Honey's own best evidence is for coughs in people over one year old. Together, sage and honey tea is a comforting drink, though not a proven treatment.
Sage oil and thujone
Sage contains thujone, a compound that can be toxic in large amounts. The European Medicines Agency has noted concerns about sage essential oil because of its thujone content.
Culinary amounts of sage leaves and normal cups of tea are considered safe for most adults. Avoid concentrated sage oil by mouth, and avoid large amounts of sage during pregnancy or if you have a seizure disorder.
Cooking with sage and honey
The pairing is wonderful in savory dishes:
| Dish | How to use |
|---|---|
| Roast pork | Honey, mustard and chopped sage glaze |
| Butternut squash | Roast with olive oil, finish with honey and crispy sage |
| Chicken thighs | Sage, garlic, lemon and honey marinade |
| Brown butter sauce | Sage brown butter with a drizzle of honey over gnocchi |
| Cornbread | Fried sage leaves and honey butter |
Crispy sage and honey
Fry whole sage leaves in a little butter or olive oil for a few seconds until crisp. Drain and sprinkle with salt. Use them to top roasted squash, pasta or toast with ricotta and honey.
Our article on honey and ricotta has a perfect base.
Sage-infused honey
Gently bruise a few dry, fresh sage leaves and place them in a jar of honey. Leave for one to two weeks, then strain. Make sure leaves are completely dry, since water can cause fermentation. Use on cheese, cornbread or in tea.
Choosing a honey for sage
Wildflower honey's layered flavor suits sage's earthiness. Buckwheat works with roasted meats. Orange blossom pairs well in sage tea with lemon.
Sage and honey for a sore throat
A warm cup of sage and honey tea can feel soothing. Gargling with cooled sage tea is a traditional practice. See a doctor if a sore throat lasts more than a week or comes with high fever, trouble swallowing or drooling.
Safety notes
Never give honey to babies under 12 months. Sage in food amounts is safe for most people, but large medicinal doses are not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding. People taking medicines for diabetes or seizures should ask a doctor before using sage supplements.
Growing sage
Sage grows well in sunny, well-drained spots and is drought-tolerant once established. Bees love its purple flowers, and some regions even produce sage honey from wild sage species.
Sage honey
Sage honey, made from wild sage in California, is light and slow to crystallize because of high fructose. It is different from honey infused with sage leaves. Our article on fructose in honey explains why some honeys stay liquid.
The takeaway
Sage and honey are a versatile pairing for comforting tea and savory cooking. Enjoy culinary sage freely, skip concentrated sage oil, and keep honey modest.
Sage and honey in drinks
Beyond tea, sage and honey make a lovely syrup for lemonade and sparkling water. Simmer a handful of sage leaves in a cup of water for five minutes, strain, then stir in honey while warm. Chill and add a spoonful to cold drinks with lemon or grapefruit.
Use it within a week and keep it in the fridge.
Honey for your herb garden
Al Safa's raw honeys are never heated above hive temperature, so they keep their aroma alongside fresh herbs.
Find a jar in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Salvia officinalis review · National Library of Medicine (PMC)
- Public statement on Salvia officinalis L., aetheroleum · European Medicines Agency
- Honey (drugs and supplements) · Mayo Clinic
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make sage and honey tea?
- Steep sage leaves in hot water for five to ten minutes, cool slightly and add honey.
- Is sage and honey good for a sore throat?
- It can be soothing. Honey may ease coughs; sage has limited research.
- Is sage safe to drink every day?
- Normal cups of tea are fine for most adults. Avoid concentrated sage oil.
- What is thujone?
- A compound in sage that can be toxic in large amounts, mainly a concern with sage oil.
- What foods pair with sage and honey?
- Pork, chicken, squash, gnocchi, cornbread and ricotta toast.
- Can I infuse honey with sage?
- Yes, with completely dry leaves, for one to two weeks.
- Is sage safe in pregnancy?
- Food amounts are generally fine. Avoid medicinal doses and sage oil.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.