The Greek Theophrastus classified sage as a “coronary herbe“, because it flushed disease from the body, easing any undue strain on the heart. The botanical name Salvia is from Latin for “to save or to heal,” as in the word “salvation”. The Arabs associated sage with immortality. It’s also known as the ‘guardian of herbs’. In many traditional European and Chinese medicines, it’s used for its health-promoting and disease-preventing properties.
15 Reasons For Sage To Be Your Guardian of Health
Research has suggested that the presence of volatile oil in Sage is largely responsible for most of its therapeutic properties, especially its anti-septic, astringent and relaxing actions. Sage is also used internally in the treatment of night sweats, excessive salivation (as in Parkinson’s disease), profuse perspiration (as in TB), anxiety and depression. Externally, it is used to treat insect bites, skin, throat, mouth and gum infections and vaginal discharge.
1. Has a cooling action: Sage contains phytosterols, reported to have a cooling action. In one study, using an infusion of the leaf reduced sweating by as much as half.
2. Treat cramps: Early and modern herbalists mention sage as a treatment for bright red, abundant uterine bleeding and for cramps that feel worse with heat applications and better with cold applications.
3. Weaning a child: You may also use sage to stop breast-milk production when weaning a child from breastfeeding.
4. Treats ENT disorders: Sage can dry up phlegm. You can also gargle with the sage tea to treat coughs and tonsil or throat infections. It also has antibacterial and astringent properties which help fight off infections.
5. Improves concentration: Thujone is GABA and Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist and an active component of sage. It improves mental concentration, attention span and quickens the senses; hence sage infusion has long been recognized as ‘thinker’s tea’.
6. Sage essential oil: The essential oil of sage contains alpha- and beta-thujone, camphor, and cineole, which are antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. The volatile oils in sage kill bacteria, making the herb useful for all types of bacterial infections.
The sage essential oil has also been found to have acetylcholinesterase (Ach) enzyme inhibition activities. This helps raise Ach levels in the brain. Ach enzyme improves concentration and may play a role in the treatment for memory loss associated with the diseases like Alzheimer’s.
7. Offers protection from cardiovascular disease: Three lobe sage (S. triloba) composes flavone called salvigenin. Research studies found that vascular relaxant effect of salvigenin may offer protection from cardiovascular diseases.
8. Rich in vitamins: Sage is very rich in the source of several B-complex groups of vitamins, such as folic acid, thiamin, pyridoxine, and riboflavin.
9. High Vitamin A levels: The herb contains very good amounts of vitamin-A and beta-carotene levels. 100 g dry ground herb provides 5900 IU; about 196% of RDA. Vitamin-A is a powerful natural antioxidant and is essential for night-vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus and skin.
10. Controls body odor: Sage is an excellent natural disinfectant and deodorizer. It helps dry perspiration and eliminate body odor. Extracts of sage are used in personal skin care products for its capacity to heal the skin as well.
11. Menstrual problems: Chinese medicine uses red sage, Salvia miltiorrhiza, combined with dan-gui (dong quai), to regulate menstrual flow.
12. Can be used to darken gray hair: Sage works in a subtle way to color your hair and does not leave your scalp with gray roots. It can also make your hair healthier by making it shinier and softer.
13. Can be used to treat Alzheimer’s: In a study of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, participants were given either a sage extract or a placebo for 4 months. Those given the sage extract showed an improvement in cognition as well as less agitation compared to the placebo group. Other studies have shown that sage can improve memory in young, healthy adults as well.
14. Lowers blood glucose and cholesterol: In a study published in Complimentary Theories in Medicine, 40 patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) were given sage leaf extract for 3 months. At the end of the trial, the participants had lower fasting glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL (the bad cholesterol levels), but high HDL (good cholesterol).
15. High vitamin C levels: Fresh sage leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C; contain 32.4 or 54% of RDA. Vitamin C helps in the synthesis of structural proteins like collagen. Its adequate levels in the body help maintain integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones.
16. Prevents asthma attacks: Sage has an anti-spasmodic action which reduces tension in the smooth muscle, and it can be used in a steam inhalation for asthma attacks.
By Rachelle Chandraan
