herbs - Sage (Salvia officinalis)

What is it?

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.

Action

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.

Uses

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.

Cautions

• 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 Sage.

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