Sage: Health Benefits and Uses

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About Sage

Sage (Salvia Officinalis) – its botanical name gives us a clue to how important this herb is as a medicine. Salvia comes from the Latin: salvare, which means “to save”. It is native to the Mediterranean region although grown around the world. For centuries it has been esteemed for its healing powers. Sage is a first-rate remedy in hot infusion for colds.

There are about 500 species of Salvia. Spanish sage is the most familiar culinary variety and does not contain thujone. Close relatives are dan shen and clary sage.

Sage’s astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and deodorizer with mild diuretic to help detoxification and a stimulating effect on circulation.

Salvia is largely used for digestive and menopausal problems, in particular hot flushes. Also used poor digestion and sore throats.

Latin Name

Salvia Officinalis (Lamiaceae)

Taste/Fragrance

Salvia has a bitter and astringent taste.

Parts Used

Leaves / Essential Oil.

Main Constituents

  • Up to 2% volatile oil (including cineole, thujone, borneol, linalool, camphors, salvene, pinine, etc)
  • Diterpene bitter
  • Triterpenes
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenolic acid including rosmarinic acid
  • Tannins
  • Oestrogenic substances
  • Salvin and carnosic acid

Actions / Properties

  • Antiseptic
  • Astringent
  • Anti-catarrhal
  • Nerve tonic
  • Oestrogenic
  • Carminative
  • Antispasodic
  • Antimicrobial
  • Antihydrotic – Reduces sweating
  • Emmenagogue

Culinary uses

Mainly used with pork and poultry.

Medicinal uses

Sage has a plethora of medicinal uses and has been regarded as a panacea. Purple sage (Salvia officinalis purpuracens) is the preferred medicinal variety.

 

Women’s Health

Probably the most famous use of this herb is the treatment of menopausal night sweats. Being an astringent it reduces excess sweating as well as bodily secretions.

  • Drink cold during the menopause to reduce sweating
  • Drink cold during the menopause to reduce hot flushes
  • Helps reduce breast milk for mums wanting to wean

Digestive Health

Volatile oils help calm:

  • Irritable digestion
  • Bloating
  • Wind
  • Indigestion

Mouth and Throat

Sage is the traditional herb for inflammations of the mouth and throat toning irritated tissues and killing bacteria. Sage’s volatile oils are antiseptic and soothing. Gargle for:

  • Sore throat
  • Mouth ulcer
  • Gum problems
  • Laryngitis
  • Tonsillitis

**Sage tea combined with a little cider vinegar used as a gargle is excellent for sore throats, laryngitis and tonsillitis.

Colds

First-rate remedy in hot infusions for colds.

Stress

Great for nervous exhaustion and to strengthen the nervous system. The oils acts as a tonic to the nervous system and enhances its vitality and strength.

Skin

Sage improves skin tone. Sage oil or sage herbal infusion increases blood flow and diminishes the size of pores.

Hair

Used as the final rinse to control dandruff or restore colour to greying hair

Mind

Sage contains powerful antioxidants that can combat the ageing of cells.

Magic

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Powers: Immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection, wishes
Magical Uses: Sage has been utilized to ensure a long life. It promotes wisdom and the leaves are used in healing and money spells.

How to Use

Infusion

Drink 1 cup 3 times a day for:

  • diarrhoea
  • to help improve digestion
  • to ease menopausal symptoms including night sweats

Mouthwash

Use 1 cup of infused sage tea as a gargle for:

  • sore throats
  • tonsilities
  • quinsy
  • as mouthwash for mouth ulcers, gingivitis and bad breath

Tincture

Take 1-2ml (20-40 drops) of tincture 3 times daily for the menopause or as a tonic for digestive function

Hair Rinse

Use 500ml (16fl oz) of a standard infusion as a final rinse to control dandruff or restore shine and colour to greying hair

Cream/Ointment/Lotion

Sometimes used for treating minor cuts and grazes

First Aid

Fresh sage leaves are a useful first aid remedy. Just rub on to stings and bites

Caution

The tea should only be taken for a week or two at a time because of the potentially toxi effects of thujone.

Sage should not be taken in therapeutic doses by people suffering from epilepsia due to its high thujone content. Avoid in large quantities if pregnant.

Patri Hernandez, CHC, Certified Health Coach & Certified Organic Skincare Alchemist
One day, during my menopausal rollercoaster, I had a spiritual awakening that connected me so deeply with nature, I thought I might sprout leaves. Suddenly, natural ingredients became my obsession—like an addiction, really. My body was magnetically drawn to them, and it wasn’t long before I found myself knee-deep in essential oils, herbs, and all things organic.

From there, it was a slippery slope (a delightfully scented one) into organic skincare formulation. The intoxicating aroma of essential oils, the thrill of crafting something pure with my own hands—I was hooked. It wasn’t enough to just use these natural wonders; I had to create them, surround myself with them. Now, I live on a piece of land where I grow my own organic fruits and vegetables (when the weather isn’t playing tricks on me), and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When people ask what I do, I like to think about the view from my window—the endless sea—and say, “I live the life dreamers dream of.” It's All about the richness of living in harmony with nature. Watching others turn to natural ingredients because of something I shared with them—that’s my proudest achievement.

Oh, and just to keep things interesting, I’m also a bit of a nerd. I love computers, software, and all the techy stuff that seems like it wouldn’t fit with my earth-loving, oil-sniffing lifestyle. But hey, who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?

My ultimate goal? To help people kick the commercial product habit and embrace the natural, the organic, the truly nourishing. Life’s too short to settle for anything less.

2 Comments

  1. I too was drawn to Sage, and I had a similar experience at the shop from which I purchased it. In its introduction to me, it was in an old looking and tatty box, and it was also the last one on the shelf. I wanted some herbal tea, but it didn’t even occur to me that Sage could be infused in a tea. I have only ever used it as incense, but the box indicated use as a tea. It made it’s presence to me at a time when I really needed foundation, grounding, fortitude and a prompt for some inner-reflection. I drank it each evening without realising that it was a good idea to do so. I would awake in a state of being able to think, I had inner resolve and insight. Whatever the major contributors actually were, I am grateful for Sage. Thank you for your informative and inspiring website.

    Reply

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