Common Name:

General Information

Salvia aegyptiaca is a much-branched, perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base, and persist. It forms small tufts of more or less leafy, erect to ascending stems around 10 - 25cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Macaronesia; N. Africa - Morocco to Mauritania, east to Egypt and Somalia; through the Arabian Peninsula and southwest Asia to India and Himalayas

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Salvia species generally grow best in a sunny position and a well-drained soil[].
The seeds become mucilaginous if they are made wet[].

Edible Uses

Several Salvia species in the Americas (see Salvia hispanica for example), especially those in Mexico, are valued for their seeds. These become mucilaginous when soaked in water and are widely used to make refreshing drinks. In addition, the seeds of some of these species are often also used as a food, being ground into a powder and used in making biscuits, soups etc, or sprouted and used in salads.
Various other species of Salvia, such as this one, also have seeds that become mucilaginous upon wetting. It has been suggested that many of this could also be used in the same ways as the species from the Americas[].

Medicinal

The seed is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, gonorrhoea and haemorrhoids[, ].

The plant is used as a treatment for eye diseases[, ]. Whole seeds are washed in clean water and placed directly in the affected eye. For mild cases of irritation, three seeds are used, and for acute cases, ten seeds. Generally the seeds are left in the eye for one hour[].

A decoction of the aerial portions of the plant are used in the treatment of urinary tract problems[]. The treatment is thought to flush out the urinary system, curing problems such as a distinct burning sensation of the vagina or penis during urination; only a small amount of urine being passed relative to liquid intake; and pain in the kidneys.[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -