Sage or red Sage is a common herb used in cooking. It is native to the Mediterranean regions, but is now cultivated world-wide. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally.
Medicinal Properties of Sage
Sage contains volatile oils (thujone, camphor and cineole) diterpene bitters, rosmarinic acid flavonoids. These actives account for its antiseptic, astringent, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and circulatory stimulating actions.
Sage Herbal Remedies
Main uses of Sage include:
Arresting breast milk production
Excessive sweating – night sweats etc
Menopausal flushing
Sore throats, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsilitis – as a gargle
Ulcers of mouth, gums and throat – as a gargle
Sage is available as tablets or tincture and as loose herb to be made into a tea.
Two teaspoons of fresh chopped leaves or one of dried to a cup of boiling water is the way to make a gargle.
Side Effects of Sage
Generally there are no side effects from using Sage, however it is a powerful herb and should not be taken continuously for more than two weeks at a time. In addition it should be avoided if you have a fever.
Sage should not be used during pregnancy or when breast feeding, but can be used when mother wishes to wean baby to assist in drying up milk production.
When this article was written there were no well-known negative drug interactions with the herb Sage.
Leave a reply to Herb Sage (Salvia officinalis)