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Sage
(Salvia officinalis)
DESCRIPTION
Native to southern Europe, sage is considered by the Native
Americans to be one of the four sacred plants, used to purify
people and their dwellings. A popular home remedy, its Latin
name, salvia, means "to heal." The essential oil
of sage has antimicrobial properties that make it useful in
treating many types of Infections. Best known for its ability
to inhibit perspiration, sage is often used to stop the night
sweats that happen during tuberculosis.
HERBAL USES
As a medicinal herb, sage
has one of the longest histories of use. It has been used
as a treatment to help women who may experience excessive
perspiration, and other symptoms of the Menopause.
Along with rosemary and
Thyme , sage is used to preserve foods, particularly meats
and cheeses.
SUGGESTED INTAKES
Part of the plant used:
LEAF.
4-6 g daily. (1)
Tea, 10-15 g (2-3 US teaspoons).
Three cups daily.
Steep leaves in covered container of hot water for 15 minutes.
Tincture, 4 ml three times
daily.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Common Cold, Sore
Throat:
Sage has antiviral properties that may be helpful in treating
the Common Cold and/or Sore Throat. Sage can reduce Inflammation
and irritations of the throat.
Gingivitis (Periodontal
disease):
The essential oil of sage contains antioxidant components
that kill a variety of bacteria.
Menopause:
Sage has an antiperspiration and drying effect that may be
useful for the reduction of sweat due to Menopause (2). The
mechanism with which this occurs is yet to be determined.
Sage may also encourage production of oestrogen in females.
Pregnancy and postpartum
support:
Sage may be used to dry up milk after a mother has stopped
breastfeeding. However, there is no scientific evidence to
support this use.
Other potential therapeutic
effects of sage include: constriction of inflamed skin, inhibition
of smooth muscle spasms, and to aid proper digestive function.
SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS
Breastfeeding women should
take care to use sage only in proper medicinal doses. Pregnant
women should avoid internal use of pure essential oil and
alcoholic extracts (3).
In the event of a fever,
sage should be avoided.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Caution should be exercised
when used in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Sage may aggravate the adverse
effects of antituberculous drugs. It may interfere with anticoagulant
therapy, oral antidiabetic medications, parenteral medications,
antihypercholesterolemics, some corticosteroids, and Folic
Acid antagonists.
Meprobamate and phenobarbital
may inhibit the oestrogen-like action of sage.
Adverse effects on the Skin
may occur if used topically in conjunction with the Acne product
tretinoin (retinoic acid, Vitamin A acid).
REFERENCES
1. Blumenthal, M (Ed.):
The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide
to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX.
1998.
2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield
Publishers Ltd., 1988, 229-30.
3. Masterova I, Misikova E, Sirotkova L, Vaverkova S, Ubik
K. Royleanones in the roots of Salvia officinalis L. of domestic
provenance and their antimicrobial activity. Ceska Slov Farm
1996;45(5):242-45.
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