Condition
Treatment Support
expectorant, decongestant
Application
tea, tincture
Sage
(Salvia officinalis)
Also know as Garden sage
Botanical Information
A small short-lived evergreen shrubby perennial growing to two feet with white, wooly stems and oblong leaves and violet blue flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region.
Working with Sage
Part(s) Used
Leaf
Herb Forms
Tincture, bulk herb
Christopher Hobbs:
“As a tea, sage is recommended for reducing the pain and discomfort of a sore throat. During cold season, you can carry a small bag of tender sage leaves and chew on them, swallowing the healing and anesthetic juice to numb the unpleasant soreness and help speed healing. Sage and lemon tea is an excellent drink for treating colds and flu, especially if you add some thyme for extra antibacterial action. Sage can be a good addition to cold and flu formulas.
Sage is also famous an herbal deodorant, and you will find it in commercial sprays and creams. This use makes sense, considering sage’s known antibacterial action and pleasant, earthy scent.
Nursing mothers traditionally used sage to help dry up the last flow of milk. A mild infusion of the herb has been used for this purpose, but it is advisable to avoid the herb altogether when pregnant or nursing because of the possibility that infants could be sensitive to thujone, one of sage’s compounds. At the other end of the childbearing years, herbalists recommend sage for reducing the sweating associated with menopausal hot flashes.
Sage has a taste of SPICY, ASTRINGENT and a temperature of WARM.”
Historical Uses
- Ancient Greece and Rome: Used for digestive issues, sore throats, and to improve memory.
- Middle Ages: Considered a sacred herb, believed to have healing powers, and used to treat ailments such as fevers, digestive problems, and inflammation.
Modern Clinical Uses (Herbalists and Naturopaths)
- Cognitive Health: Believed to support memory, clarity, and concentration.
- Digestive Aid: Used for indigestion, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues.
- Anti-inflammatory: Often recommended for joint pain or inflammatory conditions.
- Antimicrobial: Used to fight infections, particularly in mouthwashes and throat sprays.
Chemistry & Pharmacology
- Contains active compounds like thujone, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from flavonoids and polyphenols.
- Antimicrobial effects are attributed to essential oils, primarily thujone and camphor.
Clinical Trials
- Cognitive Function: Clinical trials have shown that sage may improve memory, particularly in people with Alzheimer’s or age-related cognitive decline.
- Blood Sugar Control: Some studies suggest sage can reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
- Digestive Benefits: Sage has been found effective in managing indigestion and bloating in some studies.
- Anti-inflammatory & Antimicrobial: Clinical trials show sage’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of sore throat and improving oral hygiene.
In summary, sage has a long history of medicinal use, with modern clinical applications for cognitive support, digestive health, and as an anti-inflammatory. However, safety precautions are necessary due to its potent compounds. Clinical trials support its efficacy, especially in memory enhancement and blood sugar regulation.
Generated by ChatGPT; edited by Christopher Hobbs
Cautions
Generally safe in culinary amounts.
Thujone in large doses may be toxic, leading to seizures, nausea, or vomiting.
Contraindicated in pregnancy (due to potential uterine effects) and breastfeeding.
Can interact with certain medications, including those for diabetes and blood pressure.
Using sage tincture or oil internally is not recommended because they both contain much higher amounts of the terpene thujone than the tea. Sage is not appropriate for continuous, long-term use.
Conditions treated with Sage
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
Condition
Treatment Support
stimulates blood flow to the throat, relaxes membranes, antibacterial
Application
tea, lozenge
Condition
Treatment Support
drying agent
Application
tea, powder
Condition
Treatment Support
astringent, antiseptic
Application
tea as a gargle and internally
Condition
Treatment Support
decongestant, antibacterial
Application
tea, capsule
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.
