To prepare Norden Natur Sage Leaf Tea as a drink, place the dried sage leaves in a cup or teapot, pour over hot water, cover, and allow the leaves to infuse until the liquid has developed a clear herbal aroma and the typical slightly astringent sage taste. Covering the cup or pot during steeping helps keep the aromatic essential oils in the infusion instead of letting them escape with the steam.
For a softer taste, drink it warm and plain, or combine it with honey, lemon, chamomile or mint. Honey can round off the astringency, lemon adds freshness, chamomile makes the blend milder, and mint gives a cooler herbal note. If you are using honey, add it after the infusion has cooled slightly so the drink is pleasant to sip.
For rinsing, prepare a stronger infusion than you would normally drink, then let it cool to a warm but not hot temperature. Use it to rinse the mouth or throat, then spit it out. Do not use boiling-hot liquid for rinsing, and prepare a fresh infusion rather than storing a used rinse for later.
Because sage has a distinct taste, start with a moderate amount of leaves and adjust the strength to your preference. If the infusion feels too intense or drying, dilute it with more warm water or shorten the steeping time next time.