The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvere, meaning “to be saved” i.e., to heal. Unsurprisingly, some species of sage were historically used as healing herbs. Salvia patens, however, does not seem to have a history as one of the healing species. It is instead an ornamental sage, cultivated since 1838 in Western gardens.

Wayne Armstrong has a page on the genus Salvia that is well-worth reading if you've the time.