Uses and Benefits of Sage

materia medicaherbalism
Written By Angela

Common Name: Sage, Garden Sage, Common Sage, Culinary Sage

Latin Name: Salvia officinalis, Salvia spp., S. sclarea, S. verbenaca, S. apiana, S. subincisa, S. carnosa 

Family: Lamiaceae

DESCRIPTION: As member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family, sage has the common Lamiaceae characteristics of a square stem and opposite leaves. The leaves of the common or garden sage are wrinkly with an oblong in shape with a light silvery, green color. And if gently rubbed, sage will give off its delightful characteristic scent. The flowers are borne on spikes and have the characteristic Lamiaceae appearance with the petals forming lips, two fused petals on top and 3 fused petals on the bottom.  Flower color can be variable but is often a lovely blue-lavender. Comprised of many different varieties of plants, with just as many variations in appearance, sages are a wonderful group of plants that offer much healing and support to us. This lovely genus can be used interchangeably, with certain members of the genus offering their own particular healing strengths. 

ACTIONS: anti-catarrhal, anti-hidrotic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, spasmolytic, stimulant

Long used as a in herbalism, the officinalis part of sage’s name indicates that sage’s classification as a plant that is used in medicine, and it has been used as such throughout history. Further Salvia comes from the word salvare which means to save or heal. So it is no surprise that sage has long been recognized as a revitalizing tonic that strengthens the body, mind and spirit.

Use in Herbalism

Sage has an interesting ability to be warming or cooling depending on the person. It is a drying herb which is a wonderful remedy for inflammation of the mouth, throat and upper respiratory tract. It helps to soothe the mucous membranes while reducing phlegm and acting as an antimicrobial to help ease infections. Use as a gargle for discomforts of the mouth and throat including laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and gum disease. It may particularly be useful for the pain of canker sores with repeated applications as a mouthwash (DIY, 2013). It is excellent to help soothe colds and flus where there is an overproduction of irritating mucus and is used by herbalists as a hot tea during the first sign of illness. Sage may also help to stop excess debilitating sweating during prolonged illness.

Sage is rich in aromatic oils that can help to stimulate digestion, easing indigestion where there is gas. It relieves cramping and bloating. And it is used to help aid in the digestion of food particularly meals of heavy, fatty dishes. The astringent property of sage helps to ease diarrhea.

Sage is an amazing herb for women. It is an emmenagogue, that is used by herbalists for suppressed and irregular menstruation. It can also act as an aid for easing cramping, heavy bleeding and even flooding during menopause. Sage is well known for its ability to dry up breast milk and so can help during weaning or to curb excessive flow. Rosemary Gladstar uses sage as a compress for mastitis because she explains that sage “takes the pressure off the breasts” (Gladstar, 2014). For these same reasons sage should be avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding. Sage can be wonderfully helpful for women going through menopause. It helps to calm anxiety and insomnia and can help alleviate irregular menstruation that can accompany menopause. Sage is specifically used for hot flashes during menopause that cause heavy sweating. Further sage “clearly promotes estrogen production, and may lower FSH and LH surges during the menopausal years” (Weed, 1992).

Sage is a profound, grounding nervine that is often overlooked. And indeed this herb helps to restore the mind and the nervous system. It is grounding and centering relieving nervousness and anxiety, depression and exhaustion can aiding memory. In fact Kiva Rose states that sage is “more than a nervine, this is a tonic for rebuilding the nervous system where there has been deep and long lasting trauma. Specifically useful where there’s shaking and tremors, anxiety with overwhelming fear, and profound burnout” (Rose, n.d.).

Sage benefits those who are aging; helping to restore health and vitality. The very word “sage” brings to mind the wisdom of age, the wisdom of the sage or wise person. And it is used by herbalists’ to helpf slow the aging process and give vitality to the sage elder. According to Susun Weed, not only is sage full of vitamins and minerals, it is “filled with antioxidants that retard wrinkles and grey hair and help prevent cancer [while providing] heart-healthy oils” (Weed, 1992). Matthew Wood goes on to explain that sage is a wonderful herb for those going through the change of life, be they women or men, when hormonal production shifts from the ovaries and testes to the adrenal glands (DIY, 2013). Interestingly, sage may be helpful for our wise elders as a memory aid. David Hoffman explains that research has found that sage tea inhibits acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. The breakdown contributes to short term memory loss sometime experienced as senile dementia by some elders (DIY, 2013). 

Sage works well also as a topical remedy to reduce inflammation and swelling. Due to its high antimicrobial essential oil content it is wonderful of cleansing and soothing skin discomforts. Use it on abrasions, burns, and ulcerated conditions to cleanse and dry up secretions. Also makes a great
poultice or soak for inflamed, painful joints and muscles. 

PREPARATION & DOSAGE:
Infusion: Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in 1 cup of water for up to 10 minutes. Drink this three times per day. Sage infusion is particularly lovely with lemon and honey for throat issues. Rosemary Gladstar combines sage with rosemary and thyme to brew up a very emotionally grounding tea (Gladstar, 2014).

Tincture: Take 10 to 40 drops up to 4 times per day during acute situations otherwise enjoy 1 to 3 times per week. 

Sage can also be cooked into your food or infused into honey and vinegar, enjoy!

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:
Aptly said by David Hoffman, “any herb that is used as a flavor in cooking, you can assume a fair degree of safety and lack of toxicity” (Hoffman, 1996). However because of its emmenagogue action and ability to dry breast milk, do not use sage if pregnant or nursing. Also due to its astringent nature, please watch for any excess dryness while using sage and either stop its usage or combine with moistening, mucilaginous herbs such as marshmallow or licorice. Due to the high essential oil content sage should not be consumed for long periods of time as the oils can build up in the liver and kidneys. Salvias can, for the most part, be used interchangeably, however please don’t confuse them with plants in the Artemisias genus such as woodworm, sagebrush and mugwort.

References

Books:

  • Grieve, Mrs. M., A Modern Herbal, Random House, 1973

  • Hoffman, David, The Complete Illustrated Herbal, Element Books, 1996

  • McIntyre, Anne, Flower Power, Henry Holt & Company, Inc., 1996

  • Tilgner, Sharol, N.D., Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth, Wise Acres Press, Inc., 1999

  • Trickey, Ruth, Women, Hormones & The Menstrual Cycle, Allen & Unwin, 1998

  • Weed, Susun S., Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way, Ash Tree Publishing, 1992

Websites:

This piece was originally published in Natural Herbal Living Magazine

Angela
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