Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Throughout the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, infusions and decoctions of Salvia pomifera have been used for digestive complaints and as general tonics. Among villagers on the Greek islands, especially Crete and the Cyclades, teas made from fresh or dried aerial parts are taken after meals for indigestion and flatulence (Evergetis & Haroutounian, 2017). In the Dodecanese, especially Karpathos, locals prepare strong leaf infusions for colds and flu-like symptoms, often sweetened with honey (Ghirardini et al., 2001). On the Aegean side of Turkey, herbalists and elders brew infusions of S. pomifera leaves as a winter tonic and for sore throats (Ertuğ, 2009). Chewing fresh leaves has also been noted as a domestic remedy for oral discomfort in parts of the Greek islands (Matthews et al., 1993).

The core phytochemistry of this species is consistent with its traditional reputation. Aerial parts are rich in phenolic acids (especially rosmarinic acid), diterpenes (including carnosic and carnosol), and a flavonoids profile typified by luteolin and apigenin derivatives (Tepe et al., 2011; Bektaş & Güler, 2009). These compounds underpin antimicrobial and antioxidant actions relevant to respiratory soothing and digestive support.

A concise preparation for a mild leaf tea: Measure 6 g of dried aerial parts (or 12 g of fresh leaves). Place in a teapot, pour 250–300 mL of water at ~95 °C, cover and steep 8–10 minutes. Strain and drink one cup after meals for digestive comfort. Avoid large, repeated doses during pregnancy and lactation; people on anticoagulant or antidiabetic medication should consult a clinician before regular use.

Modern relevance: Salvia pomifera remains a commonly traded medicinal tea in Greece and Turkey, with field surveys continuing to document domestic preparation methods (Ghirardini et al., 2001; Evergetis & Haroutounian, 2017).

General Uses Top

Suggest a correction!

Common products:
- Essential oil (steam‑distilled from leaves and flowering tops) used as a fragrance and flavoring component.
- Dried leaf herb (whole or ground) marketed as a culinary sage for Mediterranean cuisine.

Industrial and craft applications:
- Natural fragrance component in soaps, detergents, and household cleaners.
- Flavoring agent in processed foods and beverages where a sage‑like aroma is desired.
- Used as a raw material for the production of natural‑fragrance blends (e.g., perfumery bases).

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- Whole or chopped fresh leaves added to meat dishes, stews, sauces and dressings to impart a camphoraceous sage flavor.
- Dried leaf powder incorporated as a seasoning in spice blends and marinades.
- Extract or essential oil used at low levels as a flavoring in certain Mediterranean liqueurs and specialty beers.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Leaf essential oil incorporated into perfume formulations for its fresh, eucalyptolic note.
- Added to soaps, shampoos, and skin‑care products for aroma and slight antioxidant activity.

Properties relevant to use:
- Essential oil composition typically 30–45 % 1,8‑cineole (eucalyptol), 10–20 % camphor, with appreciable α‑pinene, β‑pinene and other monoterpenes.
- Monoterpene profile confers strong, persistent fragrance and moderate antimicrobial properties, making it suitable for fragrance and cleaning applications.
- Leaves contain moderate levels of phenolic compounds that act as natural antioxidants, useful in stabilizing flavor formulations.

Standards and regulation:
- Essential oil marketed for fragrance complies with IFRA (International Fragrance Association) guidelines on usage levels and safety data.
- Quality specifications for Salvia pomifera leaf oil are aligned with ISO standards for essential oils (e.g., ISO 3215 for cineole content) and with national food‑additive regulations where used as a flavor.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is native to the eastern Mediterranean and occurs in wild‑harvested and cultivated populations.
- Commercial supply is sourced from both cultivated plots in Greece and Turkey and from regulated wild harvesting; sustainability assessments indicate stable wild populations but recommend cultivation to reduce pressure on natural stands.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Crolocos pomifera	Raf.	Fl. Tellur. 3: 93 (1837)

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	apple-bearing sage
Arabic	خوخ بري
German	apfel-salbei
German	kreta-salbei
German	apfeltragender salbei

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Name	Authority	First published in
Salvia pomifera subsp. calycina	(Sm.) Hayek	Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 30(2): 306 (1929)
Salvia pomifera subsp. pomifera		Unknown

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

Suggest a correction or add new data!

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Asia-temperate click to expand
- Western Asia
  - East Aegean Islands
  - Turkey

Europe click to expand
- Southeastern Europe
  - Greece
  - Kriti

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000301968
Tropicos	17600605
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:456985-1
The Plant List	kew-183545
Open Tree Of Life	618972
Observations.org	139168
NCBI Taxonomy	396869
IPNI	456985-1
iNaturalist	513848
GBIF	3891602
EPPO	SALPM
Elurikkus	434814
USDA GRIN	404844

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Biosynthesis Progress of High-Energy-Density Liquid Fuels Derived from Terpenes

Liu J, Lin M, Han P, Yao G, Jiang H

Microorganisms

30-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC11052473
doi:	10.3390/microorganisms12040706
PMID:	38674649

Comparative transcriptomics of two Salvia subg. Perovskia species contribute towards molecular background of abietane-type diterpenoid biosynthesis

Bielecka M, Stafiniak M, Pencakowski B, Ślusarczyk S, Jastrzębski JP, Paukszto Ł, Łaczmański Ł, Gharibi S, Matkowski A

Sci Rep

06-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10847172
doi:	10.1038/s41598-024-53510-5
PMID:	38321199

Identification of Volatile Compounds and Terpene Synthase (TPS) Genes Reveals ZcTPS02 Involved in β-Ocimene Biosynthesis in Zephyranthes candida

Wei G, Xu Y, Xu M, Shi X, Wang J, Feng L

Genes (Basel)

30-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10887521
doi:	10.3390/genes15020185
PMID:	38397175

Which Plant Species for Green Roofs in the Mediterranean Environment?

Leotta L, Toscano S, Romano D

Plants (Basel)

27-Nov-2023

PMCID:	PMC10708222
doi:	10.3390/plants12233985
PMID:	38068621

Occurrence of Luteolin in the Greek Flora, Isolation of Luteolin and Its Action for the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases

Arampatzis AS, Pampori A, Droutsa E, Laskari M, Karakostas P, Tsalikis L, Barmpalexis P, Dordas C, Assimopoulou AN

Molecules

22-Nov-2023

PMCID:	PMC10707704
doi:	10.3390/molecules28237720
PMID:	38067450

Climate Change Dependence in Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Medicinal Plants in Crete, Greece

Bariotakis M, Georgescu L, Laina D, Koufaki M, Souma M, Douklias S, Giannakakis KA, Chouli KN, Paoli L, Loppi S, Karousou R, Smykal P, Castanas E, Pirintsos SA

Biology (Basel)

11-Oct-2023

PMCID:	PMC10604457
doi:	10.3390/biology12101327
PMID:	37887037

Functional divergence of CYP76AKs shapes the chemodiversity of abietane-type diterpenoids in genus Salvia

Hu J, Qiu S, Wang F, Li Q, Xiang CL, Di P, Wu Z, Jiang R, Li J, Zeng Z, Wang J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Fang S, Qiao Y, Ding J, Jiang Y, Xu Z, Chen J, Chen W

Nat Commun

04-Aug-2023

PMCID:	PMC10403556
doi:	10.1038/s41467-023-40401-y
PMID:	37542034

Engineered production of isoprene from the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Yahya RZ, Wellman GB, Overmans S, Lauersen KJ

Metab Eng Commun

23-Mar-2023

PMCID:	PMC10063407
doi:	10.1016/j.mec.2023.e00221
PMID:	37006831

Biocontrol Activity of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Components against Soil-Borne Pathogens

Greff B, Sáhó A, Lakatos E, Varga L

Plants (Basel)

05-Feb-2023

PMCID:	PMC9958657
doi:	10.3390/plants12040706
PMID:	36840053

Uncovering a miltiradiene biosynthetic gene cluster in the Lamiaceae reveals a dynamic evolutionary trajectory

Bryson AE, Lanier ER, Lau KH, Hamilton JP, Vaillancourt B, Mathieu D, Yocca AE, Miller GP, Edger PP, Buell CR, Hamberger B

Nat Commun

20-Jan-2023

PMCID:	PMC9860074
doi:	10.1038/s41467-023-35845-1
PMID:	36670101

GC-MS and LC-DAD-MS Phytochemical Profiling for Characterization of Three Native Salvia Taxa from Eastern Mediterranean with Antiglycation Properties

Gkioni MD, Zeliou K, Dimaki VD, Trigas P, Lamari FN

Molecules

22-Dec-2022

PMCID:	PMC9821822
doi:	10.3390/molecules28010093
PMID:	36615289

Can Molecularly Engineered Plant Galls Help to Ease the Problem of World Food Shortage (and Our Dependence on Pollinating Insects)?

Meyer-Rochow VB

Foods

12-Dec-2022

PMCID:	PMC9777877
doi:	10.3390/foods11244014
PMID:	36553755

Combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed complex metabolic genes for diterpenoids biosynthesis in different organs of Anoectochilus roxburghii

Wei Y, Zhang J, Qi K, Li Y, Chen Y

Chin Herb Med

21-Nov-2022

PMCID:	PMC10230631
doi:	10.1016/j.chmed.2022.11.002
PMID:	37265764

From Traditional Ethnopharmacology to Modern Natural Drug Discovery: A Methodology Discussion and Specific Examples

Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E

Molecules

24-Jun-2022

PMCID:	PMC9268545
doi:	10.3390/molecules27134060
PMID:	35807306

Quantifying Cardinal Temperatures of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Using Non-Linear Regression Models

Cabrera-Santos D, Ordoñez-Salanueva CA, Sampayo-Maldonado S, Campos JE, Orozco-Segovia A, Flores-Ortiz CM

Plants (Basel)

22-Apr-2022

PMCID:	PMC9105696
doi:	10.3390/plants11091142
PMID:	35567143

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!

Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons
Gamma-Terpinene	7461	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
(1,4a-Dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-yl)methanol	107171	Click to see	286.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
(1,4a-dimethyl-9-oxo-7-propan-2-yl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-1-yl)methyl acetate	163072054	Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2=O)(C)COC(=O)C)C	342.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(1R,4aS,10aR)-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid	21632854	Click to see CC(C)C1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C)O)OC	346.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
(3R,4aS,10aS)-3-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-one	101666185	Click to see	316.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(3S,4aS,10aR)-3-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-one	163082289	Click to see	316.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(3S,4aS,10aS)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-3-ol	101635445	Click to see	286.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(3S,4aS,10aS)-3-hydroxy-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-one	101635446	Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CC(CC(C3CC2=O)(C)C)O)C	300.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
(6-Hydroxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-yl)methyl acetate	73050282	Click to see	344.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
[(1R,4aS,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-9-oxo-7-propan-2-yl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-1-yl]methyl acetate	101666186	Click to see	342.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
[(1R,4aS,10aR)-6-hydroxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1-yl]methyl acetate	21632842	Click to see	344.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
[(1R,4aS,10aS)-1,4a-dimethyl-9-oxo-7-propan-2-yl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-1-yl]methyl acetate	163072055	Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2=O)(C)COC(=O)C)C	342.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
1,1,4a-Trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-3-ol	162862729	Click to see	286.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
3-hydroxy-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-one	163081456	Click to see	300.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
3-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-3,4,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-one	163082288	Click to see	316.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
5-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid	73816012	Click to see	346.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Dehydroabietyl alcohol	15586718	Click to see	286.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Tigliane and ingenane diterpenoids
[(1R,2R,6S,10R,11R,13S,14R,15R)-13-acetyloxy-8-formyl-1-hydroxy-4,12,12,15-tetramethyl-5-oxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] 2-(methylamino)benzoate	162901456	Click to see	521.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
Myrcene	31253	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
Carvacrol	10364	Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O	150.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
3-Thujanone	11027	Click to see CC1C2CC2(CC1=O)C(C)C	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698143
beta-Thujone	91456	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167 https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698143
Borneol	64685	Click to see	154.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
Camphene	6616	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
Camphor	2537	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
Sabinene	18818	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
Thujone	261491	Click to see	152.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1992.9698143
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
gamma-Muurolene	12313020	Click to see CC1=CC2C(CC1)C(=C)CCC2C(C)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Germacrane sesquiterpenoids
Germacrene B	5281519	Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC(=C(C)C)CC1)C	204.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Erythrodiol	101761	Click to see	442.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(3S,4aR,6aS,6aR,6bR,8aS,14aR,14bR)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-ol	15560617	Click to see	442.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(4R,4aR,6aS,6aR,6bR,8aR,14aR,14bR)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-2,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one	101665855	Click to see	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
(6aR,6bR,8aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,6b,8a,12,14b-heptamethyl-11-methylidene-1,2,3,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-hexadecahydropicen-3-ol	145706026	Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1=C)C)C)C)(C)C)O)C	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
4-(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-2,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one	163013662	Click to see	440.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
alpha-Amyrenol	225688	Click to see	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Alpha-Amyrin	73170	Click to see	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Lupeol	259846	Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C	426.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Methyl Oleanolate	92900	Click to see	470.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Moronic Acid	489941	Click to see	454.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89809-X
Oleanolic Acid	10494	Click to see	456.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol	222284	Click to see	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	86821	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol	22012	Click to see	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97560-5
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Primary alcohols
Isoamyl alcohol	31260	Click to see CC(C)CCO	88.15	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712167

Gallery Top

We don't have an image yet. Upload an image!

Contributors Top

No known contributors. Be the first!

Collections Top

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.

Salvia pomifera

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top