AKA: Broadleaf Sage, Common Sage, Dalmation Sage, Garden Sage, Kitchen Sage, Narrow-leaved Sage, Salvia, Salvi Officinalis, Sarubia, Spanish sage, Tibbi Adacayi

Sage is a small evergreen shrub that is native to the Mediterranean area, but is now grown everywhere as an ornamental or kitchen plant. It has woody stems, gray like leaves and blue to purplish flower. In the kitchen, sage is valued for its slight peppery flavor and it is used to flavor meats, cheese and drinks and it is also added to stuffing and sauces.

The Latin name for the herb is Sylvia, which means “to heal” referring to the herbs use for pretty much any and every ailment that people would come across.  The Egyptians used it as a fertility drug and the Greek Physician Dioscorides recommended sage for a number of ailments. The Chinese valued sage tea and used it to as a stimulating tonic to help with a weak digestion and nervous system. Traditionally, herbalists applied the herb externally to treat sprains, sores, swells and ulcers and made a tea to take internally for sore throats, coughs. It has also been used to treat rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding and to dry up mother's milk. Sage has also been used to stop excessive sweating from fevers and menopause, to improve memory, sharpen the senses, to calm the nerves and to aid in digestion.

Benefits and Uses:

• Sore Throat
• Cough
• Excessive sweating
• Nervousness
• Digestion problems
• Memory and senses
• Antibacterial, Antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic

Sage Tea

Sage tea is effective for a large number of ailments including sore throats and coughs when used as a gargle. When given in small, repeated doses, the tea is considered a good remedy to help with nervous conditions, a weak digestion and delirium from fevers. Sage tea has also been used to treat kidney and liver complaints, head colds measles, joint pain, lethargy, palsy and headaches caused by nervousness.

Sweating

A study in Germany found that a dry sage leaf extract or sage leaf infusion could help reduce sweating by as much as 50%.  Another study found that sage reduces excessive sweating brought on by menopause and sage’s strong anti-hydrotic action makes it a traditional treatment for night sweats suffered by people with tuberculosis.

Digestion

Taking sage is a good way to reduce griping and prevent other indigestion problems because of the bitter compounds that it contains, which stimulate secretions, intestinal mobility, bile flow and the function of the pancreas.  Sage has also been used for infantile diarrhea.

Nerves

Sage has the ability to help with nervous conditions such as anxiety and depression.  The presence of volatile oil is responsible for the relaxing therapeutic actions that make the herb a good remedy for nervous excitability and dizziness. Sage is also an antispasmodic with the ability to smooth out muscle tension. Steam inhalation has proved useful for asthmatics.

Memory and senses

Like rosemary sage is thought to have the ability to improve memory and brain function. Research has indicated that people taking sage oil showed improvement in word recall and attention. This makes the herb a promising treatment for Alzheimer's.

Side Effects

Believe or not, you could actually overdose on sage since it is toxic, the toxic dose, however, is extremely large. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use sage as a medication, nor should people who are prone to epileptic fits.

Warning

Suppressing fever induced sweating is not advisable,

coming soon....